Cascade-Siskiyou Connectivity Symposium
May 4, 2022, 9:00am-5:00pm
+ Social Hour to follow with libations and food
Southern Oregon University - Ashland, Oregon
Please join us to further landscape-level connectivity planning in the
greater Cascade-Siskiyou region of southern Oregon & northern California.
The Cascade-Siskiyou Connectivity Symposium brings together NGOs, land & wildlife management agencies, scientists, private landowners, Tribal representatives, and others to carry on a collaborative process for developing a plan of coordinated actions to address constraints and opportunities for wildlife connectivity in southern Oregon and northern California. The symposium is intended to complement and support existing connectivity efforts in the region, including the California Essential Habitat Connectivity Project and Oregon Connectivity Assessment and Mapping Project. Various skill sets are needed for linkage conservation (e.g., land use, acquisition, transportation) and the symposium will include roundtable discussions and breakout sessions around these skills to collect information and spatial data.
Event Program & Agenda:
Southern Oregon University’s Stevenson Union, Rogue River Room
Morning Session: 9am - Noon
The event’s morning session features guest speakers and presenters, including:
Introduction: Traditional Ecological Knowledge By Samantha Chisom-Hatfield (enrolled Siletz; Cherokee), Oregon State University (pre-recorded)
Oregon Connectivity Assessment and Mapping Project (OCAMP): Linking Landscapes; by Rachel Wheat, Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife
Federal/State Policies Related to Connectivity & Pacific Northwest Climate Connectivity; by Jessica Walz Schafer, Wildlands Network
Integrating Traditional Ecological Knowledge into Restoration and Stewardship Efforts; by Tim Hayden, Yurok Tribe
Undamming the Klamath River – the Path to Restoration; Gwen Santos & Daniel Chase, RES
N. Region plan to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and increase roadway permeability; by Eric Rulison, California Department of Transportation (CDOT)
Safe Passage, Roads & Wildlife; by Meghan Fagundes, Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT)
Southern Oregon Wildlife Crossings Coalition and I-5 Feasibility Study; by Amy Amhrein (SOWCC), Leslie Bliss Ketchum (Samara Group)
Wildlife Camera Study at Interstate 5 Crossings; by Professor Karen Mager and students Maya Smith & Alex Zenor (SOU)
Break: Catered Lunch provided
Afternoon Session: 1pm - 5pm
The afternoon session will consist of small break-out sessions with the goal of identifying coordinated actions for conserving connectivity in five overarching focus areas for collective impact:
Ecological Connectivity and the Greater Cascade-Siskiyou Landscape; by Evan Frost
Land Use & Policy; by Joseph Vaile & Jessica Schafer
Transportation & Infrastructure; by Leslie Bliss-Ketchum & Amy Amrhein
Conservation Opportunities; by Lyndia Hammer & Steve Wise
Restoration & Stewardship; by Tim Hayden & Maia Black
Research & Monitoring; by Rachel Wheat & Melissa Butynski
The afternoon breakout sessions will focus on identifying and discussing needs, opportunities, and threats to connectivity related to each of the topic areas. For example, do land uses or policies exist that may support or hinder wildlife movement (e.g., proposed development or Resource Management Plan update)? Is there a key parcel in a choke-point to wildlife movement?
We encourage participants to come prepared for discussion and ready to share information about current and future opportunities or threats to wildlife connectivity in the region. The data provided from the sessions will help inform the post-event report.
Slideshows not listed above may be available upon request from the presenters.
Social hour: Drinks & Light snacks provided
Downloadable & Fillable PDF Forms:
Additional resources to prepare for your visit to Ashland and Southern Oregon University:
Location:
Southern Oregon University’s Stevenson Union, Rogue River Room; 1250 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97620. SOU has guidelines and a website devoted to public health measures for the campus. At this juncture, masks will not be required in indoor or outdoor settings, but those who feel comfortable wearing them are encouraged to do so.
Lodging:
If you are traveling from out of town to Ashland and need overnight accommodations, please check out the resources from TravelAshland on their website. The closest hotel options within walking distance of SOU include: Palms Cottages, Timbers Motel & Stratford Inn.
Transportation:
Ashland, Oregon is conveniently located along Interstate 5 and can be accessed from the north via Exit 19 and 14, and from the South via Exit 11, 14 & 19.
The closest airport to Ashland is the Rogue Valley International Airport (MFR) and has frequent service to cities like Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Cascade Shuttle has regular options for transportation from the airport to Ashland.
While in Ashland, Rogue Valley Transportation District has regular routes through town with a couple of stops in front of the University’s Stevenson Union.
Parking:
There will be parking available close to the SOU Stevenson Union. Please look out for a final email the day before the event with all the details about parking, registration, and food service for the event.