2024 Elakha Alliance Virtual Science Symposium
October 21 @ 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
All are welcome to join the virtual 2024 Elakha Alliance Science Symposium on Monday October 21st, 9:00am-4:00pm PDT. The Symposium speakers hail from across the United States, which will make for some unique conversations and perspectives. Registration is required to attend the live presentations.
Our focus this year are the “ESA at 50: Successful Species Reintroductions.” The 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act is a major milestone in conservation history. Attending the symposium allows participants to be part of this historic moment, celebrating progress while recognizing the work still needed to protect endangered species. Presenters will showcase successful reintroduction efforts, offering valuable insights into the strategies, challenges, and innovations that have helped bring endangered species back from the brink of extinction.
We are asking participants to provide a $10 registration fee/donation, which will help the Elakha Alliance continue our work towards ocean conservation in Oregon. If you’re a student looking to attend and the registration fee is a hinderance, please email Info@ElakhaAlliance.org for sponsorship opportunities.
We are still confirming a few details, but here is the most updated list of of speakers and presentations for the Science Symposium. Scroll to the bottom for presenter biographies!
9:00am: KEYNOTE: How Animals Shape Our Ecosystems, Joe Roman (Conservation Biologist and Author)
10:00am: A Snail’s Pace to Recovery: How Washington State reintroduced endangered pinto abalone to the southern Salish Sea, Katie Sowul (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife)
Pinto abalone (Haliotis kamtschatkana), a key species in Washington State’s kelp forest ecosystems, experienced a drastic, 97% population decline even after the recreational fishery closure in 1994. Restoration efforts were critical to reversing this decline and reestablishing healthy populations in the region. To bolster the population, the collaborative team collects abalone from the wild, spawns them in the hatchery, raises their young in captivity, then outplants those offspring to the wild. To date, the restoration program has outplanted over 55,000 abalone to 37 sites – and new sites are being established every year. A majority of these sites now boast healthy, genetically diverse aggregations of pinto abalone that are potentially creating offspring of their own. Though there is more work to be done, the accomplishments made so far prove that restoring endangered species is not just a dream, it is a reality.
11:00am: How Sea Otters Helped Decreased Coastal Erosion in the Elkhorn Slough, Tim Tinker (Research Wildlife Biologist)
——–BREAK 12pm-1pm ——–
1:00pm: Northern California Condor Restoration Program: Cultural and Ecological Revitalization in the Pacific Northwest, Christ West (Northern California Condor Program Manager, Yurok Tribe)
Chris will will talk about the history of condor conservation, and he will also discuss continuing concerns about the place of condors in our modern world. Finally, he will discuss modern methods of protection and management including a discussion of how lessons learned from condors might be applied to other conservation efforts.
2:00pm: Emerging Lessons Learned from Colorado’s Wolf Reintroduction, Kaitie Schneider (Defenders of Wildlife)
Gray wolves were one of the first species to be listed on the Endangered Species Act in 1974, and nearly 50 years later, Colorado officially began a historic operation to restore them to the southern Rockies. Together, we will explore the early outcomes and critical lessons of the ongoing Colorado wolf reintroduction. Highlighting both the achievements and challenges faced, we will re-trace the steps that led to the voter-mandated reintroduction, what has made this effort so unique, and where the program is headed. Attendees will gain insights into the practical considerations and strategies that have shaped the project’s progress, as well as the broader implications that are already influencing future restoration efforts, such as the recently approved State-led wolverine reintroduction.
3:00pm: Grizzly Reintroduction in North Cascades, Bryan Vasquez (Woodland Park Zoo)
Presenter Bios:
Joe Roman: Coming Soon
Katie Sowul (Washington)
Katie Sowul is the lead abalone biologist and diving safety officer for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). Her collaborative team aims to restore Washington’s beautiful and endangered pinto abalone populations. Originally from Southern California, Katie now resides in Seattle. When she’s not diving to restore snails, she enjoys playing water polo, underwater hockey, and exploring the outdoors on her e-bike.
Tim Tinker: Coming Soon
Chris West (California)
Chris began working with California condors as an intern in 1999. His love for the species and the work led to his Master’s research at Humboldt State University investigating influences on condor post-release behavior. He began working for the Yurok Tribe in 2008, assessing the potential for condor reintroduction in the Pacific Northwest. He has managed all aspects of the Northern California Condor Restoration Program, from design of facilities to the release of the current free-flying flock.
Kaitie Schneider (Colorado)
Kaitie Schneider is a human-wildlife conflict specialist with a Bachelor of Science degree in Conservation Biology from Colorado State University. Kaitie leads the Colorado Wolf Restoration and Coexistence Program for Defenders of Wildlife, which is aimed at ensuring that wolves, livestock, and people in Colorado can thrive on shared landscapes. Kaitie is also leading statewide, inter-organizational education and outreach efforts to gain support for the reintroduction of wolverines to Colorado.
