Sarah Hamman, Ph.D., Center for Natural Lands Management

Wildflower-filled prairies used to stretch over 2 million acres across western Washington and Oregon. Through frequent burning and food harvests by indigenous people, these unique habitats supported a rich diversity of plant, animal and insect species for thousands of years. However, due to development, invasive weeds, and lack of regular fire over the past two centuries, 95% of the prairies have been lost or degraded. The small postage-stamp prairies that remain provide a glimpse of what once was. Land managers, ecologists, and conservationists from a range of agencies, organizations and tribes, are now using those small remnants to help reconstruct prairies for the future. Much of the conservation focus is on endangered species – working within the prairie remnants to bring back the rare plants, butterflies, birds and mammals that are close to extinction. There is growing recognition, however, that in order to restore prairies for the future, we need to make sure people are part of the equation. Incorporating prairie species into farm and ranch operations and reintegrating traditional practices like burning and harvesting on prairie lands provides additional opportunities for conservation that supports both wildlife and people. By expanding the conservation portfolio and sharing knowledge across real and perceived barriers, we can support the ecological, cultural and economic benefits provided by PNW prairies.

About the Speaker:

Sarah is the Restoration Ecologist for the Center for Natural Lands Management (CNLM), a conservation non-profit based out of Washington and California. Her work is aimed at researching and restoring rare species habitat in Pacific Northwest prairies and oak woodlands using rigorous science and careful conservation planning. Sarah holds a B.A. in Biology from Wittenberg University and a Ph.D. in Ecology from Colorado State University. Sarah is also an adjunct professor at The Evergreen State College, where she teaches in the Master of Environmental Studies program and she is the Restoration Director for the Olympia Coalition for Ecosystems Preservation, a small non-profit land trust focused on conservation of shoreline and forest habitat in Olympia, WA.

These monthly, free events are open to everyone interested in Oregon and Pacific Northwest history. Co-sponsored by like-minded historical and civic organizations, we bring you experts, scholars, first-person experiencers and historians who expound on topics from Lewis and Clark to shipwrecks, hop growing to women pioneers and far, far beyond. It's like being back in the classroom - except this time you get to settle into comfortable seats and enjoy a drink or two with dinner while you listen and learn.

This event is eligible for a History Pub Stamp