Nature Matters hosts Colleen Weiler Mar. 12

The Southern Resident orca community is one of the most endangered populations of whales in the world. Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) is dedicated to their protection and ensuring the Southern Residents share our coast for generations to come. In this presentation, Colleen Weiler will discuss how these orcas are connected to Oregon and explain ways in which Oregonians can help.

The 7 p.m. presentation takes place March 12 at the Fort George Lovell Showroom, 1483 Duane Street, Astoria. This free event is open to the public. Doors open at 6 p.m. to purchase dinner or beverages at the Fort George Brewery before the event.

Colleen Weiler has been the Jessica Rekos Fellow for WDC since 2014. Her work focuses on identifying effective conservation strategies and protective measures for orca populations off the west coast of the U.S. and Canada, especially the endangered Southern Resident orca community. After completing an MS in Marine Resource Management from Oregon State University, Weiler opted to stay on the west coast and gave up on ever seeing a whale in the Great Lakes of her home state of Michigan. WDC works globally through campaigns, lobbying, advising governments, conservation and field projects, educational outreach, legal advocacy, and more to develop science-based, ecosystem-wide solutions for protection and recovery of orcas.

Nature Matters, a lively conversation about the intersection of nature and culture, takes place on the second Thursday of each month from 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 Brewery + Public House.

For more information, call the park at (503) 861-2471, check out http://www.nps.gov/lewi or Lewis and Clark National Historical Park on Facebook.