Oregon was one of the first places in the world where scientists observed ocean acidification, evidenced by weakened shells in the shellfish growing industry. Low oxygen levels, or hypoxia, compound the problem. Since 2006, combatting Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia (OAH) have become central issues in Oregon’s climate and ocean management planning. Responding to the increasing awareness and severity of OAH events, the Governor and state legislators have made investments in Oregon’s future by establishing the Oregon OAH Coordinating Council and committing to the Oregon OAH Action Plan.

Dr. Charlotte R. Whitefield, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will share examples of climate change effects on our ocean and what we can do about them. Dr. Whitefield is ODFW's first dedicated OAH staff member, supporting the state’s OAH Council for the past four years. Before coming to ODFW, Whitefield was a NOAA Knauss Fellow in Washington, D.C., working for Senator Murkowski on her Oceans Caucus, Arctic Caucus, and ocean acidification initiatives. Whitehead received her master’s degree from University of New England, Maine, and her Ph.D. from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, where she studied sea cucumber aquaculture.

This webinar is sponsored by Lincoln City Audubon, in partnership with Oregon Coast Community College. Register here.