June/July

The Disinformation Society
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

Talk RV: No Evidence Required
Robert Jensen

Muting the Conversation of Democracy
Bill Moyers

The Path of Self-Limitation, Cooperation, and Sharing
Richard Heinberg

Biodiesel: Growing a New Energy Economy
Greg Pahl

The Parallel Revolution in Venezuela
America Vera-Zavala

Grassroots Effort Creates Citizens Dialogue
Robyn Leor

The Myth and Necessity of Genetically Modified Free Zones
Jeffrey M. Smith

From Hurt to Heart
Eryn Kalish

Mudra as Meditation
Andrea Luchese, M.A.

The Klamath-Siskiyou Region: A Living Laboratory
Sue Parrish

How You Can Help Protect Endangered Herbs
Laurel Vukovic

Cosmic Calendar
Salina Rain

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The Klamath-Siskiyou Region: A Living Laboratory

By Sue Parrish

The Klamath-Siskiyous, located in Northern California and Southwestern Oregon, are arguably one of the most beautiful places on the planet. Its natural diversity has given rise to rare and endemic species as well as a unique mosaic of people with widely varying values. What are the opportunities these
innate qualities hold for this region—economically, culturally and ecologically? The Siskiyou Field Institute explores these opportunities in new and creative ways.

I love a good drama and eye-catching splendor so I guess it’s only natural that I make my home in the Klamath-Siskiyou. Home to the densest concentration of Wild and Scenic Rivers in the west, these blue-green sparkling waters are an important haven to declining salmon populations, as well as burgeoning numbers of whitewater enthus-iasts, fishermen and those seeking cool relief from the hot summer sun.

Scientists are attracted to the Klamath-Siskiyous because its diverse ecosystems are a complex scientific enigma. According to David Rains Wallace, author of the landmark book entitled The Klamath Knot, this region is a “window into time.”

“In a certain sense, time has stood still here as the environmental conditions are more like they were through the west millions of years ago, with more summer rain and warmer temperatures. This climate, very rugged terrain, and a complexly twisted and folded geology, has created very diverse habitats: you can be hiking in lush, old-growth forest and find yourself in a desert-like habitat 100 yards away. Such extraordinary diversity has both provided refuge for ancient species which were more widespread before the last ice age, such as Brewer’s Spruce and Port Orford Cedar, and enabled more recent species to adapt to the region’s climate and geology.”

Researchers are drawn here from around the world each year to study. The latest theories about biodiversity and how species evolve and adapt over time often originate, develop or mature here. When I go to scientists with a quick question about the region, a frequent response is that the answer is complex and therefore not totally understood.

The Siskiyou Field Institute (SFI), an Illinois Valley-based non-profit organiza-tion that provides educational experiences about the Klamath-Siskiyous to the public, offers ways for just about everybody to get out and explore the bioregion. Since its conception in 1997, SFI has developed a menu of courses to whet the appetite of people with varying tastes and interests: backpacking and rafting trips, birding bonanzas, weekend getaways, and technical courses for college credit through Southern Oregon University. Community forums are sharing the latest scientific information and discussing natural resource-related issues amongst this population with such diverse sets of values. Youth programs, in partnership with youth organizations and schools, have the region’s next generation out exploring the surrounding ecosystems.

SFI offers programs with a unique blend of small businesses, non-profit organi-zations and institutions, crossing traditional state boundaries and community roles. Oregon Caves National Monument and Chateau, and Illinois River Hideaway Cabins, (Cave Junction, OR); Redwood Youth Hostel (Klamath, CA); Sandy Bar Ranch (Orleans, CA); Southern Oregon University and North Mountain Park (Ashland, OR), Redwoods and Rivers (Arcata, CA), Rogue Community College (Grants Pass, OR) and others, all showcase different ecosystems found in the bioregion’s diversity of habitats. Many of these outfits host the event while SFI offers the educational component. SFI has been enormously successful in developing a regional network of diverse programming that mirrors our mosaic landscape.

Research, Education and Recreation

There is a diverse network of talented people committing great energy to studying the region’s unique ecology, many of whom share their wealth of knowledge about the region with the public by teaching for organizations such as SFI. For some, it’s an important vehicle to share the science they are so passionate about with the general public. Says Dr. Parker, herpetologist extraordinaire and biology professor at SOU, “I love teaching for SFI as it has a great diversity of students. I’ve had nurses, loggers, lawyers, physicians, retirees, students—and they all have a common interest in learning about the region and its natural history.”

For other instructors, SFI provides a place to integrate knowledge gained from other cultures and traditions with modern scientific understanding. Frank Lake, a Karuk native American and PhD candidate who is versed in both Traditional Ecological Knowledge and the science of fisheries and fire states, “Native Americans view this land and its waters as hardware store, pharmacy, supermarket, and church. I think it is important to share the perspective that humans did and can have a sustainable relationship with place.” Regardless of their motivation, it’s an honor to catch these committed scientists between their fieldwork and university or agency responsibilities and be able to venture with them to the places they study and love. SFI participants get to see the world through new eyes. In a world of expanding technology and decreasing wild places, field-based learning is also a marketable and increa-singly valuable commodity.

Though most residents of the Klamath-Siskiyous don’t think much about it, we are enfolded by one of our biggest economic assets daily as we pick up our kids from school, go to work, drive to see a friend in a nearby town. We don’t have to create anything; the Klamath Siskiyous themselves are a bioregional strength. From the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument to the Oregon Caves National Monument, from the western Siskiyou fens and rivers to the Redwood Forests and dramatic coastline, we live amid stunning natural beauty and diversity. And as the supply of natural areas around the planet decreases, the region can only become more and more valuable.

The Illinois Valley, located southwest of Grants Pass on the way to the southern Oregon coast, is one of the region’s hotbeds of scientific study. With the steep Siskiyou Mountains surrounding this pristine valley, it is also beautiful, isolated, and lacking in educational and economic opportunities. Multiple economic studies have identified nature-based tourism as a significant component of economic revitalization. Combining the economic and educational opportunities afforded by such an unusual landscape, the Siskiyou Field Institute decided to partner with regional educational leaders to bring an education/research facility to the valley. This facility will synthesize and share the work of the many scientists who research the area; host programs that teach the public about the region year-round; and provide a much-needed field station for Southern Oregon University (SOU) to take full advantage of the rich learning opportunities offered by the surrounding landscape. SOU, Rogue Community College (RCC) and other regional partners are working with SFI to bring a facility to the Illinois Valley. The momentum is strong and excitement is building. SOU faculty and administration are excited about having a place to teach extended field classes and conduct long-term research with their students. RCC would like to have easy access to a field-oriented teaching environment that will greatly enrich their community education opportunities. And with a real “home,” SFI can offer regular programs in the Illinois Valley. This will greatly enhance the educational and economic opportunities for the people in this remote valley as well as the greater region.

Siskiyou Field Institute’s 2005 Programs

June programs (6/16–6/20) meet each morning at Southern Oregon University, and then take off to venture around the surrounding mountains: Mycology with visiting professor Dan Luoma (for SOU credit), Streams and Rivers with SOU professor Dr. Michael Parker (for SOU credit), Crash Course in Keying Plant Families with Dr. Linda Vorobik (for SOU credit), Birds of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument with the Klamath Bird Observatory. Also Ethnobotany, Fire and Vegetation Patterns, Botany for Beginners, Wild Farming, Wolf Tracks on the Welcome Mat, Butterflies.

For enriching family adventures with children aged seven and up: Fire by Friction, Briggs Valley Botany, Butterflies in the Ecoregional Blender, BatWatch at LavaBeds National Monument, Streams for the Whole Family and Creature Feature (these two can take kids slightly younger), Traditional Ecological Knowledge Rafting Trip, Winter Ecology … and more.

For an inspiring backcountry adventure join Wendell Wood to botanize around Bear Basin Lookout at the top of the Siskiyous; Sue Parrish to enjoy the spectacular views of the Marble Mountain Wilderness; or Frank Lake to learn about traditional practices of the Karuk people while rafting the Klamath River.

Many of SFI’s more academic courses are available for credit. For complete information, or to receive a catalog, call (541) 592-3777; institute@thesfi.org; thesfi.org.