Episode 14: Intro to Forest Bathing – Part 1

Published July 31st, 2021
In this episode, you'll hear from Michelle Winter, certified forest therapy guide, about forest bathing - or forest therapy walks - and the benefits of spending intentional time in nature. Tune in and be refreshed as you learn about a new way to engage w...

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Episode 13: Local Fish & Streams

Published July 31st, 2021
This episode features interviews with Jeff Dose & Jeff McEnroe, both of whom have worked as fish biologists in the area. Our conversations cover the types of fish in local streams, various impacts on the waters and aquatic species they contain, and habit...

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Episode 12: How Does Your Garden Grow?

Published July 31st, 2021
Episode 12 is all about sustainable gardening and farming! Joanne Gordon ("Granny Organic") discusses eco-friendly practices for growing your own produce, and Amanda Pastoria of the Umpqua Valley Farmers' Market shares about this wonderful community reso...

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Episode 11: Understanding Climate Change

Published July 31st, 2021
Episode 11 features interviews with Stuart Liebowitz of the Douglas County Global Warming Coalition and Katrina Keleher of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission (and former Environmental Education & Outreach Leader for Umpqua Watersheds!). Links/Webs...

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Episode 10: Off-Trail Exploration

Published July 31st, 2021
In this episode, you’ll hear from Tony Cannon and Jeremiah Osborne-Gowey, two off-trail explorers, about their preferred method of exploring nature, and some of the amazing things they’ve found! (First aired March 20th-21st, 2021)

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Episode 9: The Big “E” – Extinction

Published June 22nd, 2021
In this episode, we hear from Angela Jensen about how we got to this point, and what can be done to turn back the tide on one of the biggest issues of our time. Links/Websites Mentioned in (or related to) Episode 9 Umpqua Watersheds' Conservation Page --...

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Episode 8: Protecting Habitat for Wildlife

Published June 22nd, 2021
Hear from Francis Eatherington, Jesse Burgher, and Cindy Haws about tracking and collecting data on various wildlife species in the Pacific Northwest, as well as efforts to restore habitat for local wildlife. Links/Websites Mentioned in (or related to) E...

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Episode 7: Beekeeping

Published June 22nd, 2021
Episode 7 features interviews with Phil Moulton of Douglas County Bees & local beekeeper Stan Petrowski. They discuss some of the challenges facing bees in southern Oregon, as well as some of the joys of caring for an apiary and it's inhabitants. Links/W...

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Episode 6: Caring for Critters (Plus Highlights from Living Downstream’s First Month On Air)

Published June 22nd, 2021
This episode features interviews with Peggy Cheatham of Umpqua Wildlife Rescue and Megan Gram of Saving Grace Pet Adoption Center; in it you'll learn the important & difficult job of wildlife rehabilitators, creative uses for baby socks, what to do if yo...

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Episode 5: Understanding PNW Fires

Published June 22nd, 2021
In this episode, we heard from Ken Carloni about the history of wildfires and wildfire management in the Pacific Northwest, the challenges of planting a monoculture (single-plant) plantations of trees, and possible solutions moving forward.

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Episode 4: Observing Birds & Other Wildlife

Published June 22nd, 2021
In this episode, we heard from Damon Lesmeister and Matthew Hunter about how technology is being used to help researchers collect data about birds, and some tips and suggestions for attracting birds and other wildlife to your yard. Links/Websites Mention...

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Education Update… Summer 2021

Published June 10th, 2021

Ryan Kincaid

As Spring Turns to Summer…

The past few months saw several education and outreach activities from Umpqua Watersheds. Our training for local educators – “Learning

in the Umpqua Watershed” invited twelve teachers from Douglas County for a full day of workshops designed to help them incorporate more nature, environmental awareness, STEAM, and creative [...]

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Umpqua Watersheds AmeriCorps position now open!

Published June 2nd, 2021

Do you want to be a part of a great organization and change the world!

Recruitment is open now for the Umpqua Watersheds AmeriCorps position. We focus on education and community outreach. We are looking for environmental educators that have a serious desire to engage youth in the community. This is the 12th year of [...]

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Knowledge Is Power (If We Let It Be)

Published April 16th, 2021

On March 24, we held a day-long training for local educators, and what a success it was! “Learning in the Umpqua Watershed: Engaging K-12 Students though Nature Connections & STEAM Activities” engaged 12 teachers from Douglas County in the benefits of taking youths outside, ways to incorporate hands-on and nature-based activities, the importance of teaching [...]

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Episode 1 On-Trail Hiking

Published March 20th, 2021
Looking for a new hike to try over the next few weeks? In this episode, Diana Pace and Connie Page offer some great suggestions for places to explore nearby, how to prepare for a hiking excursion, and give tips on how to prepare/what to take with you wh...

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AmeriCorps Update

Published March 7th, 2021

by Ryan Kincaid

Spring is coming quickly and with it lots of exciting events from Umpqua Watersheds!

Learning in the Umpqua Watershed: Engaging K-12 Students through Nature Connections & STEAM Activities: Wednesday, March 24th @9am ~ We are excited to be offering a professional development opportunity for Douglas County teachers. Workshops that day will [...]

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Spotlight on our donors

Published March 7th, 2021

We received a very generous donation to fund our AmeriCorps Environmental Education program for the 2021-2022 year from Jerry Mires. Jerry grew up in the Umpqua Valley. He was born and raised in Sutherlin, OR, and always enjoyed the natural world around him and sharing the excitement and wonders with others. His interest in [...]

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New Opportunities

Published January 12th, 2021

Our AmeriCorps member has been cooking up some appetizing  opportunities for everyone in your family:

Living Downstream

Umpqua Watersheds is airing a new program on our KQUA station starting Saturday, January 16th! Tune in each Saturday at 9am or Sunday at 6pm (Pacific Time) to explore a myriad of environmentally-related topics; each episode will focus [...]

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Executive Director Update Winter 2020

Published December 2nd, 2020

by….Kasey Hovik

For many of us, 2020 started with such high hopes. Just the thought of starting a new decade is always exciting, as we imagine what will happen in the next ten years. None of us imagined that the first year of the 2020 decade would include a global pandemic. In our country alone, [...]

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Grateful & Hopeful

Published December 2nd, 2020

As we transition from the season of thanks-giving to the season of hope, I find myself reflecting on all of the things that I have to give thanks for, and the reasons I have to be hopeful. This year has pushed us to our limits in so many ways, and by doing so, it has [...]

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