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The Klamath Mountains, a region of northwest California and southwest Oregon about the size of Virginia, is a complex and fascinating place in terms of its Natural History. For the last five years several handfuls of experts in their fields have been collaborating to share the stories of this region in one definitive volume, due in print summer 2022: The Klamath Mountains: A Natural History. We have called upon this stellar collection of co-authors to offer you this 10-part class.
The Winter Webinar Series will share stories of how geology, climate, fire, and water provide the basis for the biological abundance of all living things across the Klamath Mountains — one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. From the story of the Last Glacier, to the prehistoric finds in limestone caverns, to an amazing assemblage of endemic amphibians — not to mention over 3,500 taxa (species, subspecies, and varieties) of vascular plants — there are many rich tales to tell to help better understand this region we love.
$69 for the 10-part series or $10 for each class
1. Introduction to the Klamath Mountains + The Last Glacier
The last glacier in the Klamath Mountains is a symbol of the past, present, and future of the region and will launch our webinar explorations. The glacier’s story weaves together climate change, geology, and water, providing the basis for a journey through this unique corner of Northern California and Southern Oregon roughly the size of Virginia. This webinar series is presented by a collection of the stellar co-authors who have contributed to the forthcoming book, The Klamath Mountains: A Natural History due in hand summer 2021. The book’s two editors will introduce us to the Klamath Mountains and what makes this region one of the most biodiverse places on Earth.
Presenters:
Michael Kauffmann is an educator, author, and ecologist with a deep love for the Klamath Mountain’s native flora and fauna – including his favorite group of plants—conifers. He is the author of three books including Conifer Country: A Natural History of 35 Conifers of the Klamath Mountain Region.
Justin Garwood is an Environmental Scientist for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife with a focus on salmon and trout ecosystems, herpetology, and mountain lakes of northern California.
2. Fire in the Klamath Mountains
The phenomenon of fire is an important ecological process that shapes the natural history and biodiversity of the Klamath Mountains and is an essential driver of plant community dynamics.
Presenter
Jeffrey Kane is Associate Professor of Fire Ecology & Fuels Management at Humboldt State University with interests in a broad array of topics related to the ecology and management of fire-prone ecosystems.
3. Geology of the Klamath Mountains
The epic tale of the origin of the Klamath Mountains begins in its rocks. Although it has been a long, difficult, and ongoing challenge to decipher the geologic history of the Klamath Mountains, the processes involved are often simple to understand.
Presenter:
Mark Bailey is a retired high school science teacher with a decades long obsession with geology, astronomy, and exploration.
4. Climate of the Klamath Mountains
Climate is a key factor in sculpting the uniqueness of the Klamath Mountains. This webinar will explore the dynamic variation in regional microclimates from the coastal forests to the edge of the Great Basin including paleoclimate regimes, how those have shifted to what we have today, and what the future may hold.
Presenter:
Rosemary Sherriff is a professor in the department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Analysis at Humboldt State University. Her research has focused on western forests ranging from Alaska, to the Rockies, to northern California.
5. Rivers of the Klamath Mountains
Water in the Klamath Mountains creates a network of streams and rivers of extraordinary importance and natural wealth unlike any other in America. From the Rogue River in the north through the Trinity River in the south, this suite of waterways is one of the premier assemblages of relatively undeveloped rivers nationwide.
Presenter:
Tim Palmer is the award-winning author of 29 books about rivers, conservation, and adventure travel. He is a photographer of America’s natural landscapes and a dynamic public speaker with inspiring presentations about a range of environmental topics.
6. Plant Communities of the Klamath Mountains
The Klamath Mountains contain some of the most exceptional temperate plant communities in the world. Within its geographic boundaries, over 3,500 taxa (species, subspecies, and varieties) of vascular plants, 35 conifer species, and 20 species of oak occur. We will explore ten different communities and the rare and unusual plants that call these places home.
Presenter:
Michael Kauffmann is an educator, author, and ecologist with a fond love for the Klamath Mountain’s native flora and fauna – including his favorite group of plants—conifers. He is the author of three books including Conifer Country: A Natural History of 35 Conifers of the Klamath Mountain Region.
7. Fish, Amphibians, and Reptiles of the Klamath Mountains
These three groups of vertebrates all help define the unique natural history of the region. Justin will explore the dynamic nature of freshwater and anadromous fishes, the ecology of reptiles, and—one of the most fascinating stories of the region—the amazing assemblage of endemic amphibians.
Presenter:
Justin Garwood is an Environmental Scientist for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife with a focus on salmon and trout ecosystems, herpetology, and mountain lakes of northern California.
8. Mammals and Invertebrates of the Klamath Mountains
These diverse and never-before told natural histories will weave together how climate, geology, water, and fire have sculpted an amazing assemblage of animals across the region. From diverse and newly-discovered troglobites to the plant communities that drive the evolution of endemic snails, we will explore many amazing stories the Klamath Mountains hold.
Presenter:
Michael Kauffmann is an educator, author, and ecologist with a fond love for the Klamath Mountain’s native flora and fauna – including his favorite group of plants—conifers. He is the author of three books including Conifer Country: A Natural History of 35 Conifers of the Klamath Mountain Region.
9. Forest Pests of the Klamath Mountains
Forest pathogens and insects play important roles in ecosystems. The forest pathogens and insects in the Klamath Mountains, like those in other regions, help regulate individual tree life cycles as well as overall forest growth and succession.
Presenter:
Chris Lee is a forest pathologist with Calfire. His work focuses on a variety of pests and pathogens affecting the forests of the North Coast and Klamath Mountains of California.
March 11th, 2021
10. Early Euroamerican Explorers of the Klamath Mountains
The earliest Euroamerican explorations of the Klamath Mountain Region were complicated due to its remoteness and rugged terrain and that paradigm still continues today. From Jedediah Smith in the early 1800s to John Sawyer in the late 1900s, a wide range of western scientists have contributed to the understandings we have for the region today.
Presenter:
James K. Agee is professor emeritus of forest ecology in the College of Forest Resources at the University of Washington, Seattle. He has a fondness for the Klamath as he has been visiting the region since he was a youngster.
Photographic Credit:
- Glacier: Ken Lindke
- Chipmunk: Ken Chamberlain
- Frog: Spencer Riffle
- Early Explorers: Photo courtesy MSS. 142, Alice Eastwood Papers, California Academy of Sciences Archives, San Francisco
