Rivers and their floodplains provide homes for salmon and other aquatic critters, as well as drinking water, recreation and rejuvenation for humans.   Floodplains also produce "ecosystem services," such absorbing our pollution, providing water for irrigation, detaining and storing floodwater, and providing favored places to build.  Yet, with climate change, a growing population and crashing salmon runs, how can "Science" help? 

Join us Thursday, September 10 at 7:00 pm at the Science Pub (199 W.
8th Ave., in the Cozmic Pizza building). In accessible language, Chris Orsinger will speak about how to apply knowledge from the sciences of hydrology, the geology and shape of rivers (fluvial geomorphology), climate predictions, and native plants to restore healthy rivers.

Chris Orsinger, executive director of Friends of Buford Park & Mt. Pisgah since 1995, has led floodplain restoration projects on the Coast Fork of the Willamette, restoring flow to "abandoned" side channels, controlling invasive weeds and restoring native habitat and floodplain functions on over 250 acres. Chris participates in inter-agency Willamette Basin floodplain restoration planning.  As the leader of Friends of Buford Park, he oversees a native plant nursery growing over 85 speces,  prairie and oak savanna restoration, and trail enhancements.  The organization involving over 600 volunteers annually. Chris is also leading the organization's initiative to add 1200 acres with six miles of river  front to Buford Park (Mt. Pisgah) in order to expand recreation and restore fish and wildlife habitat at the confluence of the Coast & Middle Forks of the Willamette.

You can view his presentation now on Ibis TV!