JCWC gathered with over 400 colleagues from across the greater metro region to talk science at this year’s Urban Ecosystems Research Consortium (UERC) symposium. Most years the excited energy from the anticipated presentations reigns, but this year the chatter of revoked funding, organizations banned from attending, and the loss of a founding member and environmental champion, introduced another layer of emotions as everyone greeted each other.
Gabe Shoeships, Executive Director with Friends of Tryon Creek (FoTC), opened the symposium with Cultural Ecology in the Urban Landscape: Lessons from Ancestors. His talk gave us a peek into how the FoTC organization used indigenous practices to develop their strategic plan with an invitation for others to incorporate them into their work as well.
Throughout the day, presenters shared research and projects that gave us a better understanding of the natural area around us with suggestions on how we can improve environments that have been impacted by humans. We are still thinking about how cute the little monitoring belts on the frogs must be and excited to add more resources as we plan for the expanding invasion of emerald ash borer and Mediterranean oak borer. The lichen talk was refreshing as we learned the top five lichen reported in the area with a quick tutorial on the different types we might see. Afterwards, we of course couldn’t help but ask each other which one we lichened the best! (The pixie cup lichen was a consensus choice among JCWC staff.) The presentations inspired us and continue to provide a connection between the organizations that make up our resilient community.
The second keynote address from Dr. Leslie P. King, Commissioner of Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, mapped out neighborhoods in our region and the state, highlighting the vulnerabilities and injustices that communities in some areas face. This visualization can be used to direct funding for neighborhoods most in need and better understand why some communities thrive while others face barriers. Two key takeaways: 1) It’s not just urban areas that face environmental injustice, and 2) highways and major roads are often detrimental to surrounding communities. Dr. King shared her personal experience of environmental injustice with encouragement that improving environmental conditions can increase quality of life.
The annual closing remarks, summarizing the day in 100 words or less, was accompanied by encouraging words from Lori Hennings reminding everyone that we have worked through multiple administrations and that together we will get past the hurdles in front of us today. Thank you Urban Ecosystems Research Consortium (UERC) for another great year and we’ll see you in 2026!
