Learn more about the intersection of art and ecology.
This event is free and open to the public. Space is limited so registration is required. Registration opens on March 24 at 8:00 am.
We are excited to host Jane Bacchieri and Chanel Hason of the Elakha Alliance in conversation with Josie Iselin, co-director of Above/Below.
Lecture Highlights:
– Discover the Elakha Alliance’s mission to restore sea otters to Oregon’s coast and how art is central to fostering community-driven conservation efforts. Learn about innovative outreach projects such as the Sea Otter Art Silent Auction and interactive workshops merging art and science.
– Journey into the underwater world with Josie Iselin as she unveils The Mysterious World of Bull Kelp, a web-based book celebrating kelp forests and their vital role in marine ecosystems. Josie will also highlight the intersection between kelp forest health and sea otter restoration.
Expect a lively dialogue among the speakers, captivating visuals, and an opportunity for robust Q&A.
About the Speakers:
Jane Bacchieri (she/her)is the Executive Director of the Elakha Alliance, a nonprofit working to restore sea otters to Oregon’s coast. With over 25 years of experience in natural resources management, Jane previously led watershed planning and management teams for the City of Portland and served as a natural resources policy advisor for Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski. She has also worked with the National Policy Consensus Center at Portland State University and managed coastal and watershed programs for organizations like the National Park Service and South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve. Jane holds a Master of Environmental Management degree from Duke University and a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from the University of Vermont.
Chanel Hason serves as the Director of Outreach and Community Relations for the Elakha Alliance, where she leads efforts to engage communities in restoring sea otters and enhancing marine ecosystems. Chanel’s diverse background includes marine biology, animal husbandry, environmental education, and nonprofit management. She has conducted research on the Great Barrier Reef, worked with sea and river otters at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and developed environmental programs for Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment. Chanel earned her MS in Sustainability Education from Portland State University and volunteers with the Surfrider Foundation. Fun fact: Chanel was crowned 2013 Miss Scuba USA and represented the U.S. at the Miss Scuba International Pageant in Malaysia.
Josie Iselin is a photographer, author, and designer specializing in the world of seaweeds and kelp. Her most recent work, The Mysterious World of Bull Kelp, is a web-based book celebrating kelp forests’ intricate ecosystems. As co-director of Above/Below, Josie brings attention to the underwater forests that mirror terrestrial ones. She holds a BA in Visual and Environmental Studies from Harvard and an MFA from San Francisco State University, where she now teaches. Josie’s passion lies in synthesizing scientific stories through art, encouraging thoughtfulness and stewardship of coastal ecosystems.
Questions? Contact lizg@deschuteslibrary.org
AGE GROUP: | Adult |
EVENT TYPE: | Adult Program |
