‘Still Hope’ - a series of 8 mosaics
When we consider the designation of species as threatened or endangered, it can lead us to feel hopeless. We learn about the many challenges faced by native plants and animals that were caused by human activity, and it seems impossible to shift into a place of harmony with the world we inhabit. Yet there is still hope! Quiet heroes are working to turn things around for these vulnerable species, and in many cases they are succeeding. This is a sampling of coastal species that have been designated as threatened, endangered or “of concern.”
I created this collection to celebrate the species, as well as the humans who are helping them, for a 2024 group exhibit at Pacific Maritime Heritage Center in Newport, OR. The works are now available at Volta Gallery in Lincoln City, OR.
Read below about my inspiration for the collection.
‘Coho salmon’
7.5”w x 7.5”h artwork (9” x 9” framed)
Glass smalti and tinted mortar
A native fish species that begins life in rivers and streams, migrates to the ocean and returns to its home waters to spawn before life’s end. Current status is endangered or threatened, depending on specific area and population. Challenges: habitat loss, climate change, dams, pollution and overfishing. Efforts to mitigate these impacts continue by government agencies, nonprofits, tribal communities and local groups like MidCoast Watersheds Council, right here in Newport.
‘Pacific lamprey’
7.5”w x 7.5”h artwork (9” x 9” framed)
Glass smalti and tinted mortar
While often referred to as an eel, the lamprey is actually a fish and one of the “first foods” long harvested by indigenous peoples throughout the Pacific Northwest. Impacted by changes to water temperature and quality, dams, and lower water flows, this ecologically important species has been the focus of joint efforts between several tribal communities and the US Fish and Wildlife Service to monitor and improve lamprey populations, through the Pacific Lamprey Conservation Initiative. Seen here is just the elegant tail of a lamprey, swirling above river gravel.
‘Western snowy plover’
7.5”w x 7.5”h artwork (9” x 9” framed)
Marble, granite, glass smalti and tinted mortar
A tiny bird that nests in the low dunes along our sandy shores, snowy plovers are vulnerable to threats from all manner of predation as well as habitat loss due to shoreline development and other human activity. Volunteer groups including the Bird Alliance of Oregon have joined with Oregon Parks and Recreation Dept. to monitor, research, create awareness and protect the nesting birds during the busy March-September season. A spotted, unhatched egg snuggles here with a fluffy new chick, rendered in stone.
‘pink sand verbena’
7.5”w x 7.5”h artwork (9” x 9” framed)
Glass smalti and tinted mortar
A delicate, creeping flower that inhabits the same places as the snowy plover, and lies vulnerable to habitat loss or degradation. Oregon sand dunes have been overwhelmed by introduced non-native species like European beachgrass, crowding out less aggressive plant species like the verbena. The Institute for Applied Ecology is one organization that has worked extensively to collect seed and re-establish verbena in sandy dune areas following large-scale grass removal.
‘sunflower sea star’
7.5”w x 7.5”h artwork (9” x 9” framed)
Glass smalti and tinted mortar
Voracious predators of purple sea urchin, the sunflower star was especially devastated by Sea Star Wasting Disease in the widespread event of 2013. While populations of ochre sea stars have rebounded, sunflower stars have been reduced to around 10% of previous numbers. The corresponding sea urchin numbers have exploded, who in turn are decimating kelp forests. Rebalancing this layered ecosystem is helped by research scientists at University of Washington who have developed a captive breeding program to increase numbers and resiliency, as well as Oregon Aquarium efforts to treat diseased sunflower stars.
‘sea otter’
7.5”w x 7.5”h artwork (9” x 9” framed)
Glass smalti and tinted mortar
While river otters are frequently spotted in Oregon rivers, the sea otter that once thrived in ocean waters was hunted to extinction long ago. Populations of sea otters in Washington state are greatly reduced but still exist however, and the Elakha Alliance is just one group looking into whether it’s possible to restore this vital ecosystem species to Oregon waters. Like the sunflower stars, sea otters help to keep the sea urchin population in check, restoring balance to undersea kelp forests.
‘olive ridley turtle’
7.5”w x 7.5”h artwork (9” x 9” framed)
Glass smalti and tinted mortar
Once in a while, the local news reports that an olive ridley turtle has landed on an Oregon beach. Usually they are cold, sick (or both) and often the story doesn’t end well. While they’re not usual Oregon residents, the turtles are an example of a species that can be affected by us all, moving from a southern Pacific beach to the open ocean, to possibly the shores off California. An ocean we share with many other countries and communities used to host millions of these turtles, now greatly reduced. It requires the cooperation of agencies like NOAA Fisheries with these international partners to protect against threats like vessel strikes and improved fishing gear to prevent accidental harvest, along with laws to prevent illegal trade.
‘Oregon silverspot butterfly’
7.5”w x 7.5”h artwork (9” x 9” framed)
Glass smalti, 24k gold smalti, and tinted mortar
A tiny butterfly found on bluff-top meadows, the Oregon silverspot has a wonderful story to tell of collaboration in its conservation. Volunteers and students at regional nurseries have raised and planted thousands of early blue violets which larval stages depend upon, while the Oregon Zoo has maintained a captive rearing program for the butterfly caterpillars that are later released as pupae in the few areas known to have surviving populations. Cascade Head is one of those, with The Nature Conservancy and US Forest Service carefully limiting access to areas where the butterfly moves through their life stages from early spring to mid-summer.
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