Coastal Resilience
Tues., Oct. 20, 2-4 p.m.
Time: 2-4 p.m.
Location: In person: Arcata
Cost: $60
With Jennifer Ortega, Education Manager, Friends of the Dunes
Join Friends of the Dunes for a behind-the-scenes look at dune restoration at the Humboldt Coastal Nature Center. We will begin the day with a short presentation to familiarize you with local dune ecology, history of the property and key flora and fauna. Then we'll walk through unrestored and restored dunes towards the ocean while deepening our understanding of these restored dunes are the first line of protection from sea level rise.
We will follow a dune profile distinguishing habitats from one another by their geology, elevation, and plant and animal communities. By the end of the class session, you will have learned how a dynamic dune ecosystem increases biodiversity and supports coastal resilience.
Register by 12 p.m., October 16.
Jennifer Ortega
Jennifer Ortega's philosophy of education is to teach in a way that inspires curiosity. She believes by fostering awareness of the interconnectedness of natural systems and human systems through active hands-on learning and place-based education, students gain knowledge, acquire skills and develop attitudes promoting stewardship. Jen became involved with Friends of the Dunes in 2016 as the instructor for the Coastal Naturalist Training, a University of California Naturalist course.
Jen has a variety of interpretive and environmental education experiences beginning as a middle school science teacher to education ranger for Redwood National & State Parks to education coordinator at Cal Poly Humboldt's Natural History Museum and a faculty member at Cal Poly Humboldt teaching Environmental Education and Interpretation. She is a Master Certified Environmental Educator and Project Learning Tree, WET, and WILD facilitator.