Think Out Loud

Yesterday, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that wolverines will now be listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. The ruling was hailed by conservation groups which have been advocating to protect wolverines in the contiguous U.S. for more than 20 years, including suing the agency twice. There are roughly 300 wolverines spread across Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and Washington. The new federal listing does not apply to wolverines in Alaska. Wolverines are already listed as a threatened species in Oregon and hunting or trapping of the animals is prohibited. Earlier this spring, several wolverine sightings were reported along the Columbia River and in the Central Cascades, most likely of the same animal. Bethany Cotton is the conservation director for Cascadia Wildlands, based in Eugene. She joins us to talk about the impact of this ruling, and ongoing threats to the survival of wolverines in the West.  

If you’re an avid gardener who pursues your passion all year round, you may be familiar with a handy guide commonly found at nurseries that tells you if the azaleas, rhododendrons, or other perennials you’re thinking of planting in your garden are likely to survive the winter. The Plant Hardiness Zone Map is divided into 13 temperature zones and half-zones, stretching from frigid Alaska (1a) to tropical Puerto Rico (13b), and is based on a 30-year average of the coldest winter temperatures recorded for each zone.  Earlier this month, the USDA released the latest version of the interactive map which was co-developed by researchers at the PRISM Climate Group at Oregon State University. An update to the 2012 map, the new version shows an average nationwide shift of 2.5 degrees Fahrenheit, which may indicate warming temperatures due to climate change, among other factors. Chris Daly is the lead author of the new map, the founding director of the PRISM Climate Group and  a professor in the college of engineering at Oregon State University. He joins us to talk about developing the map, what it means for Oregon growers and the impact of a changing climate on the winter growing season.   

Naloxone can be used to reverse an opioid overdose in an emergency situation. It’s available over the counter at a pharmacy, but some advocates say that’s not enough to get it into the hands of people who need it most. Project Red offers overdose prevention supplies like naloxone to restaurants, bars and other establishments. The Naloxone Project is an organization with chapters in several states including Colorado and Washington. Its goal is to have hospitals distribute naloxone to at-risk patients. Ellen Wirshup is the program manager for Project Red. Stephen Anderson is the chair of the board for The Naloxone Project. They join us with more on their efforts to make naloxone freely available. 

Last Monday, the Salem City Council convened a meeting with the Marion County Board of Commissioners and Salem-Keizer school district leaders to discuss the findings from a recent report looking at the sharp rise in the city’s gun violence. Shootings in the Salem city limits have doubled in the past five years, according to the report, which did not include police shootings or those that were self-inflicted or done in self defense. The report also found that at least half the shootings involved gang members, and that the number of teens 17 and under who were either suspects or victims of gun violence has doubled in the past two years. Joining us to discuss the factors driving the city’s gun violence is Ardeshir Tabrizian, who covers criminal justice and housing for the Salem Reporter. 

The University of Oregon Museum of Natural and Cultural History hits the road in the summers. It offers hands-on learning through its Oregon Rocks! program, which teaches kids and families about geology. The organization travels throughout the state, reaching places like Portland, Pendleton and Paisley to bring science discovery to Oregon communities of all sizes. We listen back to a conversation with Mia Jackson, the education manager at the museum, who joins us with details about the program and why the museum wants to focus on statewide outreach.

When retired preschool owner Colleen Strohm and her husband moved to Maupin after their retirement, they found a vibrant community, but no local newspaper. Strohm says she tried to talk others into starting one, but after no one took her up on it, she finally realized she’d need to do it herself. She and her husband launched “The South Wasco Times” in October. Strohm is the publisher, editor and reporter for the monthly print paper. Her husband, retired Portland State University professor Doug Lowell, takes photographs and manages advertising sales and distribution. The Times is not online, and Strohm says she has no plans to change that — part of the appeal is that the paper is printed… on paper. She and Lowell join us from Maupin to talk about the community response, what readers can expect from the Dec. 1 edition, and how they plan to keep the endeavor sustainable into the future.

As the historic Portland Public School strike comes to an end, the state and country continue to face another issue: hiring. According to a dashboard created by the Oregon’s Teacher Standards and Practice Commision, there are more than 1,000 open positions for educators and other roles across the state. Kevin Carr is a professor of science education at Pacific University. He joins us to share more on the challenges of obtaining a teaching license and what can be done to address the shortage.

For 25 years, the Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports has worked with schools around the country to make learning environments more supportive and productive. The PBIS framework focuses on establishing shared values and expectations for the classroom and acknowledging positive behavior. It also aims to address unwanted behavior through redirection instead of punishment. The center recently received $21 million from the U.S. Department of Education to fund its work for the next five years. Kent McIntosh is the Philip H. Knight Chair of Special Education at the University of Oregon and co-director of the center. He joins us to share more about the center’s work and the importance of creating positive school cultures.

At Oregon Health & Science University, the number of patients treated for falling injuries has increased by 90% compared with 2016. These are falls that occur on ground-level, not from heights. Nationwide, about three-quarters of those patients are over the age of 65. That’s why Katie Drago, an OHSU geriatrician and associate professor of medicine, says the problem is becoming “a growing public health emergency.” We talk with Drago about the study the hospital has begun to help people prevent these injuries, and the need for more attention on the subject.

On Monday morning, more than 40,000 students in Portland returned to school after a tentative deal had been announced the day before to end a teachers’ strike that had shut down schools since Nov 1. The agreement between Portland Public Schools district and the Portland Association of Teachers still needs to be ratified by union members and the school board this week. It includes a nearly 14% pay raise for educators over the next three years, additional planning time and expanded access to mental health support for students in the district. Joining us to talk about the deal, how students will make up 11 days of lost instruction time and other details is OPB education reporter Natalie Pate.