Preserving Biodiversity on a Swiftly Titling Planet

## Description

As climate change accelerates, some conservationists have argued that the entire concept of "native species" is increasingly meaningless, or that the control and eradication of invasive species is rooted in xenophobia. So why do we continue to give native plants such precedence? And how do we reconcile invasive species management with the need to relocate plant species that are imperiled by climate change?
In this talk, we will interrogate the idea of ecological restoration in the context of the climate crisis. We will also explore practical solutions for increasing the adaptive capacity of our local ecosystems without abandoning the native plants that call this place home. Finally, we will reimagine ecological restoration, not as a futile effort to reclaim the past, but as a creative process of navigating our way to the flourishing future that we all know is possible.
Dylan Mendenhall is the founder and principal ecologist of Haven Ecology and Research LLC, an environmental consulting firm on a mission to help our community to make strategic decisions for the restoration and sustainable use of our terrestrial ecosystems. With an MSc in Forestry from the University of British Columbia, he draws on over 20 years of experience in the practice and study of ecological restoration, including as the co-manager of a small family forest. His professional experience also includes community-based ecosystem monitoring and commercial biotech research.
Attend in person:
Tacoma Nature Center
1919 S Tyler Street, Tacoma WA
Attend via Zoom:
Please register in advance for this webinar at:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7TbhE224SQ2zG1fAP6reGQ
For all WNPS South Sound Chapter indoor events, masking is optional but participants may choose to wear a mask at any time. We ask that people exhibiting symptoms of sickness to participate via the Zoom link you will receive when you pre-register.