From Seed to Shining Seed: How restoring diversity will save us all

Biological diversity is at the core of a resilient Earth.  In this presentation Dr Kaye will discuss the importance of biological diversity for ecosystem and human health using examples from the scientific literature.  How we measure and restore diversity (with seeds!) on the landscape, how plants are responding to climate change already, the ways in which biodiversity improves ecological functions, as well as the various means by which human health is affected by this diversity will be central themes of this presentation.

Dr. Tom Kaye is founder and Executive Director of the Institute for Applied Ecology (IAE), a nonprofit organization with a mission to conserve native habitats and species through research, restoration, and education.  He is also an Associate Professor in the Department of Botany and Plant Pathology at Oregon State University.  Tom conducts research on rare species reintroductions, habitat restoration, plant invasions, plant population responses to climate change, and engages prison inmates in conservation through the Sagebrush in Prisons Project.  Sourcing native plants for restoration is a key area of interest, research and publication for Dr. Kaye.  He serves as a Board Member for the Society for Ecological Restoration.