Northwest Scientific Association Annual Meeting

See "Call for Abstracts" flyer for list of potential technical sessions here 

***ALL people attending the Annual Meeting are REQUIRED to register.***

Call for Abstracts for 
Oral & Poster Presentations at the upcoming

ABSTRACT DEADLINE March 4, 2019

NORTHWEST SCIENTIFIC ASSOCIATION

90th ANNUAL MEETING

A Joint Meeting with Northwest Lichenologists

Lewis-Clark State College, Lewiston, ID, March 26-29, 2019

“Continuing the scientific legacy of the Corps of Discovery: A confluence of the Northwest’s past, present, and future”

meeting announcement postcard available here.

Plenary Session (Wednesday, March 27)

“Anecdotal Clues to the 1700 Cascadia Earthquake” Keynote Address by Brian F. Atwater, U.S. Geological Survey and University of Washington

Historical narratives tell of ocean waves and land-level changes that bear on the 1700 Cascadia earthquake. In an example from Japan, a village headman puzzled over stealth waves from a tsunami of remote origin in 1700. Nearer to its source the tsunami may correspond to a sea flood that was recounted at Neah Bay in 1864. As for land-level changes, a pioneer naturalist invoked gradual sinking to explain dead trees in tidal marshes that he visited in southwest Washington during 1854–1855. He seemed unaware that Chilean shores had risen during earthquakes near Valparaíso in 1822 and near Concepción in 1835.

Brian Atwater is a scientist emeritus with the U.S. Geological Survey and an affiliate professor at University of Washington. He has studied glacial-lake deposits in northeast Washington and earthquake and tsunami geology in western Washington. He holds degrees from Stanford University and University of Delaware.

“The Bonneville Landslide and Bridge of the Gods—Folklore, Forests, and Floods” by Jim O’Connor, U.S. Geological Survey

In the heart of the Columbia River Gorge, where the Columbia River breaks through the Cascade Range, is the Bridge of the Gods. It's most obviously a steel truss bridge spanning a narrow spot, but the name derives from oral tradition and geology. The Bonneville Landslide of about 1450 AD, slipping down from Table Mountain on the Washington side of the river, filled the Columbia River valley with 15 square kilometers of debris more than 100 meters thick, almost certainly giving rise to the Native American legend of the Bridge of the Gods. After blockage by the Bonneville landslide, the Columbia River formed a great lake behind the debris dam. Sometime after overtopping, the Columbia River cut—catastrophically—through and around the southern edge of the landslide mass. But the downcutting was not complete, and large rocky debris too big to be carried away by the river remained, creating Cascade Rapids, first mapped by Lewis and Clark as “The Great Shoot”, now drowned in the pool of Bonneville Dam.

Jim O’Connor majored in Geological Science at University of Washington and earned M.S. and Ph.D. degrees at University of Arizona. Since 1991, he has worked at the U.S. Geological Survey, intent on improving understanding of the processes and events that shape the remarkable and diverse landscapes of the Pacific Northwest.

“Eastern Washington’s Greatest Hits….Geologically” by Nick Zentner, Central Washington University

Unique landforms—in the rainshadow of the majestic Cascades—are on display in the deserts of Eastern Washington. Drone footage and various video clips of key Inland Northwest geologic features will be featured. Flood basalts, spatter at fissures, loess hills, Ice Age Floods-carved coulees, Ice Age slackwater deposits, thick ash fall deposits from the Yellowstone Hot Spot, etc…..it’s all here to study and enjoy.

Nick Zentner teaches geology at Central Washington University in Ellensburg.  He received his BS in Geology from University of Wisconsin and MS in Geology from Idaho State University.  His current video projects include “Nick on the Rocks” produced for PBS TV station throughout the Pacific Northwest, and “Downtown Geology Lectures” produced for YouTube by CWU. 

nickzentner.com

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Special Sessions

“Freshwater fisheries of the Northwest: past, present, and future directions”

Many freshwater fish populations in the Northwest have undergone major changes to their habitats, range, climate, ecology, population, and management over their history preceding the Corps of Discovery to today. We invite speakers to focus on any aspect of Northwest fisheries, at any scale, with special interest toward integrative approaches. In keeping with the "past, present, and future" theme of the conference we invite talks that discuss present fisheries data in light of the past or the future.

Contact: Jensen Hegg 

“Northwest Native Foods:  Plants, Fish and Animals”

This special session will cover the biology, ecology, and culture of Northwest plants and animals used as traditional foods, as well as harvesting and processing of these foods. PLUS a panel of tribal managers discussing their information needs.

Contact:  Connie Harrington or Monique Wynecoop

“Conservation & restoration of Northwest ecosystems at risk: Palouse Prairie & Sagebrush”

Sagebrush steppe and remnant Palouse prairie ecosystems in the Northwest have suffered dramatic changes in extent and integrity over the past 150 years, and these landscapes continue to be threatened by invasive species, wildfire, and ongoing development pressures. Presentations are invited on research and methods for restoration, conservation, and management necessary to sustain species and habitats within these endangered ecosystems.

Contact: Janelle Downs

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Workshops

MAX CAPACITIES HAVE BEEN REACHED FOR WORKSHOPS.

“Rising to New Heights: Drones, Data, and Science”

Unmanned Aerial Systems are developing at a rapid pace and changing the way in which we collect and use scientific data.   This is an introductory workshop covering a broad range of topics on the use of drones in natural resources.  Participants will gain an understanding of important regulations regarding the operation of drones, the airspace, and weather/terrain factors for successful operations when collecting data. The format for the workshop will include a combination of lecture and hands on activities (no flying) for flight planning and processing drone captured data.

Wednesday afternoon, March 27^th 

Needed equipment: Laptop running Windows 10 or MacOS High Sierra, Google chrome, WiFi connection

Capacity: 20 people

Contact: Gina Wilson or Jennifer Hinds

“Intro to Manipulating and Visualizing Data in R”

The R language and environment are open-source tools, which are widely-used for research in ecology, natural resources, and other scientific fields. This workshop will introduce several packages for manipulating data, including tidyr and dplyr. Attendees will then learn how to visualize data using the graphics package, ggplot2. The workshop is targeted at participants with novice level experience (i.e., can import data, knowledge of basic commands). Participants are expected to bring a laptop computer to the workshop with an up-to-date version of R installed. Installation of RStudio is also highly encouraged but not required.

Thursday afternoon, March 28^th 

Capacity:  24

Details:  Participants should bring their own computer if possible, although there will be PC’s available for those without

Contact: Leigh Latta or Matthew Brousil

“Untangling Usnea” led by Daphne Stone of Northwest Lichenologists

This workshop will focus on Usnea, one of the most common and difficult genus of lichens in the Pacific Northwest. The workshop will demonstrate use of the Daphne's recently published booklet "Usnea in the Pacific Northwest" that succinctly illustrates twenty-four species found in the area.  We will provide identified specimens so participants can familiarize themselves with the species. Participants are encouraged to bring their own specimens to identify. Bring your copy of McCune and Geiser 2009 and $12 to buy the booklet. 

Thursday afternoon, March 28^th 

Capacity: 24 people

Contact:  Daphne Stone

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Field Trips (Friday, March 29)

“Geology of Hells Canyon” - Jet Boat Tour - CANCELLED DUE TO LOW ENROLLMENT

Hells Canyon of the Snake River exposes a spectacular geologic history of part of the inland Pacific Northwest including much of the Paleozoic-Mesozoic exotic island arc complex represented by the Wallowa terrane and the overlying Miocene Columbia River Basalt Group. This one-day trip will explore the anatomy of the Wallowa island arc by jet boat including its plutonic basement, extensive volcanic sequences, and capping sedimentary rocks, along with faults and Columbia River basalt exposures within “North America’s deepest gorge.”

Leave from Hells Gate Marina at 8:00 am and return to marina at 3:30 pm.  Contact Keegan Schmidt if you need a ride to Hells Gate Marina, or for additional information about the field trip.

Capacity: require minimum of 19 registrants to run the field trip, maximum 30

Cost: $120.00 (includes lunch); field guide available at additional cost on site

“Nez Perce Fish Hatchery” Tour

The Nez Perce Tribe’s Department of Fisheries Resource Management offers a unique look into the recovery of Fall Chinook back into the Snake River basin. The Fall Chinook population plummeted after the construction of the four Lower Snake River Dams. The Hells Canyon Complex completely cut off all anadromous fisheries from the Upper Snake River. The Nez Perce Tribe worked with a Fall Chinook migration limited by the fish ladders around hydroelectric power systems. The tour of the Tribe’s fish acclimation facility located at Cherry Lane, Idaho is a success story and continues to play an important role for the Tribe’s culture and way of life, while meeting the demands of a sport fishery.

The tour will leave from LCSC Williams Conference Center parking lot at 8:30 a.m.  We are asking that you carpool to cut down on traffic. A Nez Perce Tribal Fisheries vehicle will lead the cars to the Cherry Lane Hatchery. The tour will end before lunchtime.

For information contact Aaron Miles Sr.

“Clearwater Canyon Cellars – Science Tour and Tasting”

Come taste the wines of Clearwater Canyon with winemaker, owner and wine scientist Coco Umiker. You will have the chance to tour the cellar and vineyard during your visit and ask geeky wine questions in a laid back atmosphere. Coco completed her PhD in the Enology program at Washington State University and is excited to share with you how wine is a perfect blend of art and science.

Cost: $10

Capacity: 25 people

“Canyon Crusts” led by Northwest Lichenologists

This field trip will visit sites in Hells Canyon National Recreation Area to explore the diversity of soil and saxicolous crustose lichens found in this unique habitat. This will also give participants a chance to practice identification using Bruce McCune's newly published tome "Microlichens of the Pacific Northwest". The location will be in low-elevation locations within a 30-60 min drive from Lewiston.

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Banquet Presentation (Wednesday, March 27)

“Many Different Ways to Explore: Interpreting the Northwest after Contact”  by Jack Nisbet

In the wake of Lewis and Clark’s brief visit to the Columbia River drainage, it took a wide range of approaches to flesh out a geographic and scientific portrait of the extended region. This slide presentation will focus on how fur agent David Thompson, horticultural collector David Douglas, and prospector John Leiberg used their own particular talents to make contributions to the larger picture.

Spokane-based teacher and naturalist Jack Nisbet is the author of several collections of stories that explore the human and natural history of the Northwest, including Ancient Places and Visible Bones He has also written award-winning biographies of fur agent David Thompson (Sources of the River) and plant collector David Douglas (The Collector).  Nisbet’s latest book, The Dreamer and the Doctor, traces the unlikely adventures of John and Carrie Leiberg around the Northwest and beyond. For more information visit www.jacknisbet.com

Call for Abstracts  |  Plenary Session  |  Special Sessions  |  Workshops  |  Field Trips  
Lodging  |  Local Events

Call for Abstracts  |  Plenary Session  |  Special Sessions  |  Workshops  |  Field Trips  |  Banquet Presentation
Local Events

Local Events

Curious about local events in Lewiston? Check out a list of events here and also the Lewis Clark Valley Chamber of Commerce.