Tidal energy, forestry to be discussed in Forks

FORKS — Experts and researchers will discuss tidal energy and forestry this week at the Olympic Natural Resources Center.

On Tuesday, a panel of experts from the University of Washington Northwest National Marine Renewable Energy Center will address the ocean’s potential contribution to energy needs.

“The Wave of the Future: Tidal Energy” seminar will be from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the ONRC building, 1455 S. Forks Ave.

The discussion will delve into current marine renewable energy technologies and the forces likely to shape the technology’s development in the United States.

What are the environmental, social and engineering challenges, and opportunities of tidal energy?

The panel will present current research to grasp these issues.

The center’s director, Brian Polagye, will share why he thinks nearshore industrial-scale wave and wind energy development is unlikely to happen for decades but how smaller-scale technologies could potentially help power coastal communities and support economic development in the near term.

UW graduate students Hannah Ross and Molly Grear also will present their research.

Ross will provide an overview of harvesting energy from wind, waves and currents, and Grear will discuss the potential impacts of marine renewable energy technologies on marine mammals.

Thursday’s evening talk

More than 20 years ago, ONRC Director Bernard Bormann and Richard Bigley of the Department of Natural Resources began studying methods of forestry.

They found lower quality and output occurred at each successive planting of Douglas fir in the plantation-style plantings. It begged the question: Can there be a balance between timber production and ecosystem health?

ONRC interns Katherine Jesser, Alec Meade and Allison Erskine continued the 200-year long term productivity (LTEP) study this summer, comparing the effects of forest management on ecosystem productivity, soil systems and biodiversity.

They analyzed course woody debris data and soil samples at the Sappho site, under the direction of master’s degree student Roxana Rautu.

The interns will explain their expected outcomes (180 years from now) and the highlights of their summer internship experiences in the hemlock forest room at the ONRC from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

For more information about the ONRC, contact education and outreach director Frank Hanson at fsh2@uw.edu.

More in Life

A GROWING CONCERN: Deck the halls by trimming the trees

A GREAT WAY to enhance your yard and entrance-way is to incorporate… Continue reading

Photo by Karen Griffiths
When Ukrainian musical group Kommuna Lux played at the Palindrome recently they met up with Paradigm Sporthorse Trainer Rebecca Cushman to see her two Ukrainian Warmblood imports Tux (shown) and Artist. From left Sergei Zhuravel, Volodymyr Gitin, Bagrat Tsurkan, Oleg Vasianovych, Sergei Poltorak and Yaroslav Besh. They’re currently touring the U.S. and Cananda to raise money to aid their fellow citizens affected by Russian’s military attacks.
HORSEPLAY: From inhuman to humane

THIS FEBRUARY WILL mark the third anniversary of Putin’s large-scale war on… Continue reading

ISSUES OF FAITH: In trying times, hold fast to values

THIS WEEK, JEWS turn their attention to the Torah portion of Vayeira… Continue reading

Sunday program set for OUUF

Candace Brower will present “Empiricist Mind, Humanist Heart” at… Continue reading

The Rev. Pam Douglas-Smith.
Unity in Port Townsend planning for Sunday services

The Rev. Pam Douglas-Smith will present “Blessed and Blessing”… Continue reading

Rev. Asha Burson-Johnson
Unity speaker scheduled in Port Angeles

The Rev. Asha Burson-Johnson will present “The Journey” at… Continue reading

A GROWING CONCERN: Be the brightest bulb in the box with holiday lighting

NOW THAT IT is the beginning of November and darkness has truly… Continue reading

A bellwether is traditionally the leading sheep of a flock, which has a bell to lead the others.
BACK WHEN: Is Olympic Peninsula the bellwether?

HERE WE ARE. Just days away from another Presidential election. There is… Continue reading

ISSUES OF FAITH: The invitation to feast belongs to everyone

WHILE YOU MIGHT be reading this today, I needed to write it… Continue reading

Prayer gathering scheduled Tuesday

There will be a Election Day prayer gathering at… Continue reading

Prayer vigil set for Sequim election eve

An Election Eve prayer vigil is set for 5 p.m.… Continue reading

The Rev. Pam Douglas-Smith.
Unity in Port Townsend planning for Sunday services

The Rev. Pam Douglas-Smith will present “Grace and Gratitude”… Continue reading