The following workshops and field trips are scheduled for Friday, March 1:
Workshops
Practical Data Science for Biologists
This half-day workshop will provide an overview of best practices for data management and analysis in biological research. Designing successful research begins with a clearly defined scope of inquiry, including goals for analysis and identifying the tools required to achieve them. The data management component of the workshop will focus on relational database design, data types, normalization, and include a brief survey of several common tools for collaborative data collection (including Google Docs and REDCap). We will be reviewing syntax and several useful libraries in the R programming language, with an emphasis on the Tidyverse framework for data science.This workshop will also cover several common approaches to data analysis, including data visualization, inferential statistics, and a brief introduction to machine learning techniques.
– Lead: Paul Sochacki, biolabstats@gmail.com
– Time: 0800-1200
– Registration fee: $40
– Size limit: 35
– Equipment: Computer, if you have one
Building Interpersonal and Group Communication Skills for Resolving Conflict in Natural Resources
As much as we would like to avoid uncomfortable conversations, it is often crucial for progress. Today more than ever it is important for us as natural resources professionals and citizens in our communities, to be able to engage in open and productive discussions over difficult or controversial issues. This class will help you develop practical skills, and give you some tools and processes that will help you and any organizations you participate in to work through difficult scenarios. Bring your real-life challenges, we will work on them! Topics Covered will include: Reframing Conflict as an Opportunity; Understanding Conflict Styles; Active Listening Principles and Skills; Conflict in Group Settings; and Collaborative Leadership Skills
– Workshop Leads: Nicole Strong (Assistant Professor of Practice, Forestry and Natural Resources Extension, Oregon State University Extension Service) and Dr. Emily Jane Davis (Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, Forestry and Natural Resources Extension, Oregon State University)
– Time: 0800-1100 (20 minute break)
– Registration fee: $20
– Size limit: 30
Two-Part Seminar: Strategies for Reducing Predator/Livestock Conflicts & Wolf Depredation Investigation
Part 1, Reducing Predator/Livestock Conflicts: This seminar would provide an overview to proven methods and strategies for minimizing livestock and wolf, bear, mountain lion and coyote conflicts on private farms and ranches and on public lands grazing allotments. An emphasis on wolves will be provided given their recent expansion of range in Oregon.
– Seminar Speakers: Suzanne Stone (Defenders of Wildlife, sstone@defenders.org), Roblyn Brown (ODFW) Cameron Krebs (Krebs Livestock), and Hilary Zaranek Anderson (Tom Minor Basin Project )
– Time: 0800-0945
Part 2, Wolf Depredation Investigation: Domestic livestock can die for a variety of reasons—due to disease, weather, age, injury, or predators. When a livestock producer believes wolves are involved in the loss or injury of their livestock, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife investigates to determine if wolves were involved. We will cover the evidence-based investigation process and how wolves and other large predators kill. Be warned. This presentation will show graphic pictures of injured, dead, and skinned livestock.
– Seminar Speaker: Roblyn Brown, wolf coordinator for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
– Time: 1000-1130
The cost for this two-part seminar is $40 and the size limit is 50.
Field Trips
Forest Restoration Field Trip
Field trip to some dry forest restoration sites on the National Forest in Deschutes County. The field trip will visit aspen and riparian restoration sites, and discuss restoration planning, design, implementation, wildlife monitoring, and the varied partnerships that made it possible. The tour will also discuss the role of the Deschutes Forest Collaborative, collaborative processes, and how the USFS works with the collaborative to achieve meaningful restoration outcomes. Meet at the Riverhouse Convention Center lobby @ 0800.
– Trip Lead: Monty Gregg, USFS Biologist
– Time: 0800-1200
– Registration fee: $30
– Size Limit: 25
Winter Raptors Field Trip
Bring your binos and search for wintering birds of prey. Search for owls, hawks, eagles, falcons, and harriers in the agricultural fields and sage-steppe habitats around Central Oregon. Learn about the East Cascade Audubon Society’s citizen-science Winter Raptor Survey project and this available data set. Meet at the Riverhouse Convention Center Lobby at 7:30. – Trip lead: Damian Fagan damian.fagan@hotmail.com
– Time: 0730-1200
– Registration fee: $30
– Size Limit: 13
Cancelled: Greater Sage Grouse Field Trip
Venture out for a sunrise visit to a nearby greater sage-grouse lek in the Millican Valley. Hear about sage-grouse conservation and the volunteer based Adopt-A-Lek (AAL) program through ODFW.