Did you miss one of our virtual Sips 'n' Science pub talks or an online workshop? You've come to the right place! Explore our library of featured event recordings below! To view a list of all our past Sips 'n' Science recordings, visit our YouTube playlist.

Sips 'n' Science Highlight

Smokey the Beaver: How Beavers Build Fire-Resistant Landscapes (Recorded on November 28, 2023)

Beaver dams and beaver mimicry (e.g. Beaver Dam Analogs) are gaining popularity as a low‐cost, nature-based strategy to build climate resiliency at the landscape scale. Beavers slow and store water in their ponds, canals, and the surrounding soil during wet periods which can then be accessed by riparian vegetation during droughts. As a result, the well-watered vegetation in beaver-dammed riparian corridors is less flammable. Emily's research has shown that these beaver-influenced patches of the landscape stay green and can serve as fire refugia, preserving intact, mature riparian habitat, even during megafires. Perhaps instead of relying solely on human engineering and management to create and maintain fire‐resistant waterways and riparian zones, we could benefit from partnering with beaver’s ecosystem engineering to achieve the same goals at a lower cost.

Featured Sips 'n' Science Recordings

Sips 'n' Science: Backyard Butterflies and Conservation (October 8, 2025)

Master Gardener and Melittologist Stephanie Hazen shares some of the best ways to attract and support native butterflies and moths in your backyard! In her presentation, Stephanie talks about host plants for a variety of butterflies and moths she has photographed in her yard. She goes over basic requirements for butterflies to live and flourish, and also goes into detail about what the average gardener can do to support Monarch butterflies throughout their life cycle. ​Click here to view the recording.

Naturescaping 101: A Native Plant Landscaping Workshop (August 16, 2025)

Curious about how to create a thriving native plant landscape that fits your unique site conditions and supports biodiversity? In this presentation, we explore which native plants work best in sun or shade, wet or dry soils, and which ones attract the greatest diversity of wildlife and pollinators. This Naturescaping Workshop was co-hosted by the LWC, Polk Soil & Water Conservation District, and native plant landscape designers Jessica Wright and Izzy Mason.
Click here to view the recording.

From Data to Action: How Science Shapes Restoration in the Luckiamute (April 9, 2025)

In this presentation, you'll get an inside look at how the Luckiamute Watershed Council’s and Marys River Watershed Council's Monitoring Program guides watershed restoration in the mid-Willamette Valley. As Monitoring Coordinator for both Councils, Jonah Nicholas shares insights from a decade of stream temperature data, revealing trends in watershed health and how this information shapes restoration decisions. Learn why long-term monitoring matters, how we're expanding the program, and what exciting new tools—like eDNA—mean for the future. View the recording here.

Cultivating Harmony: Vegetation Management for Beaver Coexistence (March 13, 2024)

George Kral, owner of Scholls Valley Native Nursery, delves into the intricacies of managing vegetation to effectively coexist with beavers. He highlights strategies for attracting beavers by planting specific trees and shrubs that serve as their preferred food sources. Additionally, he explores planting techniques that can discourage beaver activity in areas where their presence is undesirable. By understanding beaver behavior and employing effective vegetation management strategies, we can minimize conflicts and reap the benefits of these industrious ecosystem engineers. View the recording here.

Sips 'n' Science: Kalapuyans of the Central Willamette Valley - History and Culture (Oct. 18, 2022)

​This presentation by Dr. David Lewis addresses various Kalapuyan tribes and bands of the Central Willamette Valley. We look at their original culture, how they stewarded their lands and the adjustments they had to make when settlers arrived. We dive into the removal process, treaties, encampments and payments, and the likely understandings of the Kalapuyans, and work by Indian agents to remove them all to the Grand Ronde Indian Reservation. Finally we address their context on the reservation for the first 20 years. Click here to view a recording on our website.

Sips 'n' Science: Logging the Luckiamute: Ramifications of Splash Dams and Log Drives (Jan. 11, 2022)

Renowned author and historian Stephen Dow Beckham presents the fascinating history and impacts of logging practices in our region. This presentation examines the use of the Luckiamute River for transportation of forest products between 1853 and 1936. It places the challenges of log transport in the context of changing technologies, particularly the use of river drives and artificial freshets created by splash dams. The illustrated presentation identifies the types of splash dams, their environmental impacts, and the creative responses of lumbermen in the Mid-Willamette Valley to "getting out the cut" of the region's Old Growth forests. Click here to view a recording on our website or click here to watch on YouTube.

Sips 'n' Science: Black Settlement History in Oregon (December 1, 2021)

Troy Tate, of Oregon Black Pioneers, takes you on a journey to the time of westward migration by those seeking to manifest destiny. Blacks came along primarily as slaves during this time, and the stories Troy will share this evening will be about the perseverance and resilience of those who were enslaved and gained their freedom, and then went on to make enormous contributions to the state of Oregon. Click here to view a recording of Sips 'n' Science: Black Settlement History in Oregon

Planning & Planting Your Native Garden (Feb. 9, 2021)

I​n this virtual workshop, you will learn how to identify your soil types and pick the best native plants for your yard and garden! You’ll also hear about some of our favorite natives, why they are beneficial, and how to maximize your chance of a successful native plant landscaping project. Click here to view a recording of our Native Plant Workshop

Virtual Plant ID Walk & Learn (May 26, 2020)

We are excited to announce that you are now able to participate in a virtual Plant ID Walk & Learn from your living room! In this video, Jody Einerson and Brad Withrow-Robinson from Oregon State University Extension Office show you how to identify several native woodland trees, shrubs and herbacious plants commonly found in our watershed. A ​big thank you goes to Willamette Habitat Restoration fund for providing the funding for this video production! Click here to view this video on YouTube!

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