12/11/2007: "Orcas Island Marine Science Lecture Series"

“OYSTERS OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST”
WITH DUANE FAGERGREN

On Tuesday, December 11, 2007, at 5:30 p.m., Duane Fagergren, Director of Special Projects for the Puget Sound Partnership and long-time commercial shellfish grower, will discuss oysters of this Pacific Northwest. Using his background as a commercial shellfish grower and scientific expert on water quality, aquaculture and environmental health, Fagergren will present a historic, cultural and scientific overview of oysters and the role they play in our lives and the local marine ecosystem.

Fagergren’s lecture will follow a free dinner provided by Camp Orkila. In addition to a more adult-oriented presentation by Fagergren, this family night event also will include student activities for children courtesy of the YMCA Camp Orkila marine science staff. Shellfish-related arts and crafts will be available for younger children, while older children will participate in a tour of the Marine Salmon Center with hand-on touch tank opportunities.

"Not only are they great to eat, but shellfish like oysters are good indicators of the health of our marine ecosystem,” says Joe Gaydos, Regional Director of the SeaDoc Society. “We’re lucky that we can eat oysters right off the beach, but that’s not the case everywhere in Puget Sound and we shouldn’t take that for granted.” Currently the number of shellfish growing areas in the Puget Sound region that are closed to shellfish harvesting is rising and these closures are generally caused by urbanization and polluted runoff, sewage, marina and boater discharges, and animal waste runoff.

This is the third lecture of the 2007/08 season in Orcas Island’s marine science lecture series designed for the general public. The program begins at 5:30 PM at the Camp Orkila Lodge (484 Camp Orkila Road) and is free. Please park in the upper parking lot at Camp Orkila. Shuttle service from the parking lot to the Lodge is available before and after the dinner and lecture.

The 2007-2008 Marine Science Lecture Series is presented by program partners The SeaDoc Society (www.seadocsociety.org) and YMCA Camp Orkila (www.seattleymca.org). Future lecture dates are January 8, 2008 (Volunteer SCUBA Surveyors and the critters they see), February 12th (Climate trends and possible effects in the San Juans), March 11th (Oiled Wildlife Care), April 8th (Flippers for Feet: Pinnipeds of the Northwest).