Assisted Migration of Native Plants in the Pacific Northwest

Assisted Migration of Native Plants in the Pacific Northwest: Ecological Context, Ethical Considerations, and Strategies for Climate-Resilient Restoration

Matt Distler will introduce the ideas, terminology, and science behind the concept of assisted migration of native plants (AM), leading into a discussion of different types of AM and the potential risks and benefits of plant material translocations in the context of ecological restoration and forestry. We will discuss some risk-assessment and ethical frameworks that are being developed to evaluate and reduce the risk of negative ecological impacts from the practice. Finally, we will explore some ways that restoration practitioners are beginning to incorporate AM into their work and touch on current collaborative efforts to coordinate and facilitate decision-making, plant material acquisition, and project monitoring in the Puget Sound area.

Matt Distler is Conservation Program Manager at Oxbow Farm & Conservation Center, a non-profit focused on research, practice, and education around issues of sustainable land use and conservation.

Program will be in-person and live streamed via Zoom. It will also be recorded. See the Event Page for information on how to sign up for Zoom.

Public Invited; admission is free. Donations are appreciated!