Sea otters once thrived along Oregon’s coastline, playing a vital role in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems. Tragically, the fur trade of the 18th and 19th centuries led to their local extinction, leaving a critical void in our coastal waters. Without sea otters, Oregon’s kelp forests have suffered, now facing additional pressures from warming oceans and unchecked populations of purple sea urchins that decimate these vital underwater habitats.

The Elakha Alliance, whose name means “sea otter” in the Clatsop-Chinookan language, is dedicated to restoring this lost keystone species to Oregon. Our mission is to reintroduce sea otters to their historic range, bringing ecological balance back to the coastline, supporting vibrant marine life, and honoring the cultural connections Indigenous peoples have with these animals.

Through research, collaboration with tribal nations and coastal communities, and education, we’re working to ensure a future where sea otters and kelp forests thrive together once again. Join us to learn about this historic effort and how you can help make it a reality.

Chanel Hason brings a wealth of experience in marine biology, animal husbandry, environmental education, nonprofit management, and social media marketing to her passion. She earned a degree from CSU Monterey Bay, where she developed a passion for otters through her volunteer work with sea and river otters at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Chanel has conducted marine science research on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and worked with Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment program at the Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Puerto Rico.

In 2016, Chanel moved to Oregon to complete her MS in Sustainability Education from Portland State University. Since then, she has remained deeply involved in marine conservation, including volunteering with the Surfrider Foundation in Portland. Chanel is dedicated to fostering connections between people and the environment through education, outreach, and conservation initiatives.

2024-2025 Speaker Schedule

Hybrid in-person and Zoom meetings
Jan 16 – Elakha Alliance: “Returning Sea Otters to Oregon”
Feb 20 – Joel Geier: “Vesper Sparrows”
Mar 20 – Roy Lowe: “Birds of the Andes Mountains”
Apr 17 – Mark Kerstens: “Black-backed Woodpeckers”
May 15 – Jayshaun:Talbert: “Lights Out Corvallis”

If you would like to suggest a speaker for ASC’s 2024-2025 monthly presentations, please contact Mai Kiigemagi at audubon.corvallis@gmail.com.

How to See the Monthly Presentations

The 2023 – 2024 Monthly Meetings will be both in-person and available on Zoom. Unless noted, they will be held in the Corvallis Community Center Chandler Ballroom on NW Tyler Ave. in Corvallis. At 6:30 pm is the social gathering, followed by a business meeting at 7:00 pm, the program could start as early as 7:20 pm, and it lasts about an hour. For those who are viewing the presentation via Zoom, we suggest you tune in at 7:15.

The in-person meetings will also be available on Zoom to ASC members who provided their email address with their membership dues. They will receive an invitation and instructions the day before the webinar. Members may view the presentation on their computers or phones at home. A few days following the meeting, the link to the recording will be posted on the ASC website (see Past Presentations below).

Meetings are open to the general public, although space is limited. Contact audubon.corvallis@gmail.com for information about accessing the program.  More info

Past Video Presentations

To view recorded presentations from December 2022 to May 2023, click on the links below. Some presentations were not able to be archived. Contact

December 2024

Five ASC/MVBA members shared some of their favorite photos and videos during the annual Member Slide Show. Tom Heath showed beautiful birds plus a river otter, coyote, and pronghorn, ending with his unique dahlia. Carolyn Peterson had awesome bird, reptile, and marine photos from her trips to California and Indonesia. Teri Engbring brought beautiful shots of Alaska glaciers, Italian Alps, and a few family favorites. Matt Lee had amazing photos and videos featuring Heron Island, Tasmania, and Victoria, Australia wildlife. Sue Powell shared an underwater video from a Great Barrier Reef island.
Link to Zoom recording

November 2024

OSU Master’s student Richard Rich presented a great overview of both Greater Sage-grouse and Common Ravens, including ID tips and life history information. He described his research into raven-grouse interactions and surprising new evidence of undocumented raven behaviors. Link to Zoom recording

 

October 2024

Retired biologist Ann Eissinger presented an overview of Great Blue Herons, including life history, habitat, status, monitoring, and conservation efforts. Ann spent over 30 years studying the birds in Washington and continues to volunteer as a science advisor for heron projects in NW Washington. Link to Zoom recording

September 2024

Peter Moore discussed the results of population surveys of three albatross species that nest on Campbell Island, NZ. Removal of non-native Norway rats was completed in 2001 and resulted in population recovery of the albatrosses and other endemic species. Link to Zoom recording

May 2024

Carina Kusaka’s presentation described her research about detecting changes in Tufted Puffin breeding habitat along the Oregon Coast. Her work will determine will help land managers to direct conservation activities where and how they will be most effective. Carina is also the author and illustrator of the children’s book Polly the Puffin.
Link to recording

April 2024

Nikkie Cross shared eBird, which can target and locate new birds wherever you travel, track your life list, and contribute your sightings to help scientists worldwide.
Link to recording

March 2024

Alan Contreras took us on an entertaining tour of how birds were first observed from Lewis and Clark through the 1950s. He also covered the growth of amateur birding and how their sighting enhanced academic and agency protection of habitat and resources.
No Zoom recording available

February 2024

Native grasslands in Oregon have have disappeared, leaving only rare patches for butterflies that depend on them. Dana Ross presented an overview of Benton County butterflies, natural history of our local rare species, and other species in Oregon. Link to recording (note that sound is missing for about 10 minutes)

January 2024 meeting canceled due to weather

December 2023

Six ASC members regaled the audience with armchair tours of places or things that they enjoy. Tom Heath led off with gorgeous birds photos from around Oregon, Richard Hoyer reminisced about his raptor experiences in Alaska and Canada in 1959-1960, and Mark Baldwin braved Idaho and Utah to film prairie chickens and grebes with babies. Steve Cook, who lives next door to Hesthavn, amused and amazed the audience with many no-name cacti he grows at home, Sue Powell sneaked peeks of big cats, lots of crocodiles, even a tapir in part one of a Brazil trip, and co-traveler Bev Clark batted last with a few dozen dramatic birds.
Zoom recording is not available.

November 2023

Stewart Janes’ November discussed how feathers grow, different shapes are produced, patterns such as stripes and bars are embedded into the growing feather, and colors are incorporated. Birds even more special than you may already know!
Link to recording  Recommended reading

Amazing peacock feather detail