Learning in Retirement

Guiding Biodiversity Conservation in Washington State with Birdie Davenport

Washington’s beautiful landscapes support a tremendous diversity of ecosystems, including marine eelgrass beds, tidepools, salt marshes, lowland rainforests, montane coniferous forests, subalpine and alpine meadows and parklands, shrub steppe, grasslands, prairies, sand dunes, riparian areas, forested swamps, vernal pools, marshes, fens and bogs. These ecosystems in turn support thousands of species, some of which are unique to Washington and not found anywhere else on earth. Much of this biodiversity is threatened by changes in land use, invasive species, climate change, and many other factors.

This presentation will introduce you to our state’s amazing array of biodiversity, discuss the stressors that
threaten their long-term viability, and review how the activities of the Washington Department of Natural
Resources’, Natural Heritage Program play a critical role in informing and guiding biodiversity conservation
in Washington State.

Birdie Davenport worked for the Washington Department of Natural Resources for 33 years, starting as a research technician on natural areas, then worked as a restoration specialist and site manager. For the last 11 years of her career Birdie worked to develop and manage the Aquatic Reserves Program. She is passionate
about sharing the unusual beauty and amazing diversity in our state’s precious natural gems.