Chris Colson, a regional biologist with Ducks Unlimited makes his home in Boise, Idaho but he spends a lot of time in Harney County as an active partner with the Harney Basin Wetland Initiative (HBWI). Chris manages a wetland and waterfowl conservation area that encompasses eastern Oregon and southern Idaho. Working with others within Ducks Unlimited as well as local and regional partners Chris works on conserving, restoring and enhancing wetlands like the wetlands of Harney Basin. This work is all-encompassing and incorporates elements of science, planning, policy, advocacy, education and outreach. “My interest in wetlands science and conservation began during my undergraduate time in college. That interest led to graduate research in wetland biogeochemistry in forested wetlands of the South. That forestry work then brought me to Idaho to assist in Boise Cascade Corporation research. I then worked briefly as a Bureau of Land Management botanist which positioned me for an ecologist position with an environmental consulting firm where I began cutting my teeth in wetland restoration and mitigation design. Then it was a short leap to Ducks Unlimited.” Read more.

Photo by J.Hill Images.

Wednesday, November 6 more than 20 individuals will be honored for their contributions to bettering Oregon's landscapes and a book, A Generous Nature, that profiles each of those honored, will be launched. Jack Southworth, a past High Desert Partnership board member, a Seneca rancher and a long-time facilitator of the Harney County Restoration Collaborative will be one of the individuals honored at this invitation only Oregon Community Foundation event at the Oregon Historical Society in Portland. We are very much looking forward to seeing the spotlight on Jack and meeting the other honorees. Watch for a recap of the evening in December's newsletter.