Dave Knows Portland

Out of the Night and Into the Light: The Secret World of Bats (18-October-2011)

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Omsi Science PubOut of the Night and Into the Light: The Secret World of Bats is the special Halloweeny topic of of tonight’s OMSI Science Pub at the Mission Theater (1624 NW Glisan)

Let’s face it-bats freak a lot of people out. But much of the folklore about bats isn’t even true. In this Halloween Science Pub special we’ll explore the secret world of bats and find out what you REALLY need to be afraid of: the possible demise of our bat populations due to disease, wind turbine collisions, and global climate change.

Bats represent one of the most diverse groups of mammals and include over 1000 species. They have spectacular life histories. Did you know that female bats can get pregnant in the fall, pause gestation for months over the winter, and resume in spring once insect prey becomes available again? They provide critical ecosystem services, but are notoriously difficult to study, and we still don’t understand some basic things like where they go in the winter and whether our local Northwest populations are stable or in decline. Join us in a discussion about the secret world of bats and get the latest updates on research and conservation issues facing Oregon’s bats.

The presenter is National Park Service ecologist, and University of Idaho PhD candidate, Tom Rodhouse, who studies, pikas, and other small and hard to find cuties (charismatic microfauna!).

The science pub goes from 7pm until 9pm, but arrive early (5pm doors open) to secure your beer, grub, and a seat! There’s a $5.00 suggested donation/cover charge. Minors with adults are welcome, otherwise this event is 21 and over.

October 14, 1907: Roosevelt Creates Three Arch Rocks National Refuge

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Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge and WildernessOn October 14, 1907, President Theodore Roosevelt signed an executive order creating the Three Arch Rocks National Refuge. Only the third U.S. sanctuary, the three monolithic sea stacks, and six smaller rocks, a half mile offshore of Oceanside, Oregon were the first wildlife refuge west of the Mississippi.

Three Arch Rocks photo by Heather! Taken May, 2011 during a Cape Lookout camping trip.

Discovering Wildlife Lecture Series: Wolverines in NE Oregon (9-November-2011)

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Wolverines!The Oregon Wildlife Heritage Foundation invites the public to a series of presentations by biologists about Oregon wildlife. The presentations take place at the Billy Frank Jr. Conference Room at Ecotrust (721 NW 9th).

The first presentation, which takes place Wednesday, November 9, 2011, is about Wolverines in NE Oregon!

In 1936, the wolverine was thought to have been extirpated from Oregon. A recent monitoring project, however, has verified the presence of wolverines in northeastern Oregon’s Eagle Cap Wilderness. Earlier this year, in cooperation with ODFW and the Forest Service, Wildlife Biologist Audrey Magoun and her husband, Pat Valkenburg, developed a study plan and initiated field work for a pilot study focused on surveying for wolverines in NE Oregon’s Eagle Cap Wilderness. They deployed motion detection cameras and hair-snagging devices in a study area and flew aerial surveys to detect wolverine tracks at higher elevations. By the end of June, 3 different wolverines had been detected at camera stations, 2 of which were verified as males and photographs indicated the third individual was probably also a male. Aerial surveys detected 7 sets of tracks at high elevations.

Admission is free but registration is required, and Oregon Wildlife members get to register first! Public registration on October 13th. Visit the website on that date for the registration link.

Details on the other 2011-2012 series presentations coming soon.

Storm Day: Commemorating the 1962 Columbus Day Storm (15-October-2011)

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2012 Update: Pittock Mansion and OHS Commemorate 1962 Columbus Day Storm (October 12-31, 2012)

Pittock Mansion in the aftermath of the Columbus Day StormPittock Mansion‘s annual Storm Day event, which commemorates the 1962 Columbus Day Storm, takes place this Saturday, October 15, 2011.

On Columbus Day, 1962, the most devastating wind storm in recorded history to hit the Pacific Northwest, known as the “Big Blow,” caused major destruction in northern California, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. The extratropical cyclone, which began as Typhoon Freda, was the greatest natural disaster to strike the West Coast in more than half a century.

The then privately owned, and up for sale, Pittock Mansion sustained significant damage during the storm. A fundraising effort by concerned citizens spurred the City of Portland to purchase the mansion in 1964 (for $225,000!). It was restored and in 1965 the historic house opened as the museum we know it as now.

Learn about the impact of the 1962 Columbus Day Storm on Pittock Mansion and Portland from 11:00am to 4:00pm. OMSI representatives will be on hand to demonstrate a small tornado chamber, a weather balloon, and a Van de Graaff generator. They will also lead hands-on projects to create a wind vane and a rain gauge.

Regular admission prices will apply.