Think Globally, Act Locally Winter Lecture with Dr. Janine Castro

Minding the Gap: Using Stepping-Stones to Restore Aquatic Connectivity Dr. Janine Castro, Technical Director, River Restoration Professional Certificate Program , Environmental Professional Program, Portland State University.

Restoration efforts on the Columbia River began small—in scope, scale, and budget—but have grown dramatically larger and more complex over the last several decades. Individual projects have coalesced into programs, and those programs into careers. Criteria favored large projects but gave little guidance on their distribution along the lower river. Scientists began to wonder if these projects connected to provide a migration corridor. Were they 'Minding the Gap'? In 2019, a new landscape framework was developed that assessed and reduced habitat gaps. Restoration actions are now evaluated using a landscape approach and stepping-stone model. Join us to learn how scientists have worked to bridge that gap—and what it means for species across entire river systems.

Dr. Castro provides national and international training on stream restoration, river science, geomorphology, and public speaking for scientists. She recently retired after 24 years with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, which were preceded by 10 years of work for the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Castro co-founded Science Talk, an organization of science communicators that helps scientists effectively convey the important findings of their research. She's currently the co-founder and Technical Director of Portland State University's River Restoration Professional Certificate Program and a member of the Columbia Estuary Ecosystem Restoration Program's Expert Regional Technical Group. Dr. Castro is one of the five founding members of River Restoration Northwest.