Learning from fishes topic of Feb. 8 Nature Matters at the Fort George

Oregon’s ocean is a place of incredible productivity and amazing biodiversity. The state is taking steps to protect its ocean treasures through its new system of marine reserves. At the next Nature Matters, held Thursday, Feb. 8, at the Fort George Lovell Building, Dr. Kirsten Grorud-Colvert will take us underwater to show how Oregon’s unique ecosystem supports the incredible journey of fishes traveling from open ocean to nearshore waters, to the deep offshore. She will explain how we can learn from fishes that settle in protected habitats by tracking when and where they end up, and how this knowledge can help inform successful protection of Oregon’s ocean ecosystems and the benefits they provide.

The 7 p.m. presentation takes place at the Fort George. The free event is open to the public. Doors open at 6 p.m. to purchase dinner or beverages at the George before the event.

Nature Matters, a lively conversation about the intersection of nature and culture, takes place on the second Thursday of each month, October through May. Nature Matters is hosted by Lewis and Clark National Historical Park in partnership with the North Coast Watershed Association, the Lewis & Clark National Park Association, and the Fort George. For more information, call the park at (503) 861-2471 or check out http://www.nps.gov/lewi or Lewis and Clark National Historical Park on Facebook or Instagram.