NPSO 2024 Annual Meeting

May 17 - 19 Spirit Mountain Hotel, Grand Ronde, Oregon

FRIDAY NIGHT SPEAKER

The remarkable recovery of endangered plants and butterflies: Four stories of hope and uncertainty in the Willamette Valley.
Dr. Tom Kaye, Executive Director and Senior Ecologist at the Institute for Applied Ecology

This talk examines the conservation of four endangered species and the perils they still face. The Institute for Applied Ecology has worked to restore populations of Bradshaw’s lomatium, Fender’s blue butterfly, golden paintbrush, and Nelson’s checkermallow in partnership with several other organizations and agencies for over two decades, with substantial conservation impact. Tom will explain their successful approach and why these species need continued care and attention.

SATURDAY NIGHT BANQUET SPEAKER

Kalapuya tribal culture and the Willamette Valley environments in which the Kalapuya lived
Dr. David G. Lewis, Assistant Professor, School of Language, Culture, & Society, Oregon State University

Dr. Lewis is a member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and a descendant of the Takelma, Chinook, Molalla, and Santiam Kalapuya peoples of western Oregon. Dr. Lewis has researched the tribal histories of Northwest Coastal peoples, specializing in the Western Oregon Tribes. He served as the director of the Southwest Oregon Project Collection at the UO, and was the Culture Department manager of the Grand Ronde Tribes for 8 years. He recently published Tribal Histories of the Willamette Valley. He will present research reconstructing their environment after 180 years of settler changes. The presentation will also address the removal of water and return of cultural fire and what this means to tribal descendants today.