July 20: Paul Loikith - "Climate change and weather in the Portland region: Recent trends and future projections."

While climate change is driven by global warming, the effects are felt in different ways in different regions. This talk will provide an overview of the current state-of-the-science understanding of climate change impacts specific to the Portland region and the greater Pacific Northwest. Historical trends in temperature and precipitation will be presented as well as future projections of change. With extreme heat on the minds of many in the northwest, we will look closely at what the science tells us about extreme heat and climate change in the region in coming years and decades.

Paul Loikith is an Associate Professor of weather and climate science in the Department of Geography at Portland State University. Dr. Loikith has a background in atmospheric science and is the director of the Portland State University Climate Science Lab. His research focuses on extreme weather and climate events, their underlying atmospheric drivers and variability, and how and why they are affected by a warming climate.

August 17: Weston Miller - Adapting your yard and garden for climate change

Northwest gardeners and landscapers are accustomed to our Mediterranean climate with mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers.  With climate change, we can expect more variability in our weather with more frequent and intense weather events.  How will these extreme events affect your plants?  Learn strategies to adapt your yard and garden to these new conditions. Also learn about Solve Pest Problems, a new initiative from OSU to provide pest management information for the public.

Weston Miller serves as Community and Urban Horticulturist for OSU Extension Service.  Since 2007, he has managed the popular Master Gardener™ program in Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington counties. Weston is the program manager for Solve Pest Problems for OSU and is working with OSU and stakeholders to plan and initiate this state-wide outreach program.  

September 14: Vivek Shandas - From Trees to Canopies: Climate implications for managing our urban forests 

Description: With development pressures continuing to reduce the abundance of our regional trees, climate change is beginning to impact the quality and health of our urban forests. This presentation offers a case for developing urban forest management strategies that integrate empirical data, community engagement, and social justice.
Vivek Shandas is a Professor of Climate Adaptation and Director of the Sustaining Urban Places Research (SUPR) Lab at Portland State University. Professor Shandas studies the effects of urban development patterns and processes on ecosystems and social justice. By examining the assumptions about our built environment, Professor Shandas centers historically marginalized communities in developing adaptation strategies from climate-induced stressors such as urban heat, air quality, and pluvial (caused by heavy rainfall) flooding. During the 2021 heat dome event, Professor Shandas collected temperature readings throughout Portland and found extreme differences, up to 25 degrees, from one neighborhood to another. Professor Shandas will talk about why, and what we can do about it.