A cougar. Photo courtesy of Dr. Mark Elbroch.
Our 2024 virtual Conservation Breakfast is just around the corner! On Thursday, March 14, from 9:00 to 10:30 am, please join us for “The Olympic Cougar Project: Conservation in a Human-Dominated Landscape,” featuring renowned biologist Dr. Mark Elbroch and his team members Caitlin Kupar and Andy Stratton from Panthera, a nonprofit organization devoted to the conservation of the world’s 40 species of wild cats and the ecosystems they inhabit.
Dr. Mark Elbroch. Photo courtesy of Dr. Elbroch.
There’s no cost to attend this popular event, which will be presented via Zoom, but pre-registration is required. Registration bonus: present your registration receipt at Sunrise Coffee House in the Port of Port Townsend to enjoy $2 off a 1-lb+ bag of locally roasted coffee beans! (Please see your confirmation receipt email for details.)
The Olympic Cougar Project is dedicated to mapping cougar connectivity, identifying obstacles in wildlife corridors, and collaborating with state developers and partners to benefit cougars and other wildlife on the Olympic Peninsula. During this presentation, Dr. Elbroch and his team will share compelling insights into the evolving role of the Olympic Peninsula as an isolated enclave for cougars. Key topics of discussion will include the intricacies of cougar dispersal, dynamics of competition between cougars and bobcats, the analysis of movement and genetic data collected from cougars across Western Washington, and more.
Jefferson Land Trust’s Director of Conservation and Strategic Partnerships, Sarah Spaeth, will share the Land Trust’s role in establishing safe passageways, known as “wildlife corridors,” to create habitat for various wildlife species including cougars, and discuss the ways Jefferson Land Trust is working to safeguard natural spaces and wild places for a more resilient future — even in a changing climate.
Sarah Spaeth admires a set of black bear marks on the trunk of a tree at one of our preserves at the Duckabush River. Photo by Jessica Plumb.
A Q&A session following the program will give participants the chance to further learn from Dr. Elbroch, Sarah Spaeth, and the Olympic Cougar Project team.
We hope you’ll join us to learn, get inspired, and celebrate the power of community conservation and our shared vision for a stronger future! To reserve your spot and learn more, please visit saveland.org/breakfast.
