Parting the current, he races upstream– zig zagging around rocks and logs, dodging even the most challenging of obstacles. To impress his friends, he executes a barrel roll as he approaches their stolen den. A slick, brown body appears from around the riverbend, and a tussle ensues. The current is no longer distinguishable as they splash and turn, adding a bit of natural chaos to the river. Another one pops out from behind a log, and the group becomes engaged in a game of tag
My name is Parker Burrill and I am a current undergraduate at Southern Oregon University majoring in Ecology and Conservation. In a Fire Ecology course I was given the opportunity to compile a film that focused on a specific aspect of fire. My film “Resilience” aims to draw attention to the concept of resilience, both ecologically and socially. The Almeda Fire of 2020 was a devastating event that caused severe damage and loss in our Rouge Valley community. Personally, I was e
As we finally witnessed snow flutter down on the valley floor last week, I couldn’t help but be reminded of the importance of this winter wonderland. The snow glistening on the scraggly trees capping the surrounding mountains brings more than beauty to our communities. After 20+ days of dry weather, this fresh powder is more than just beautiful—it’s a crucial boost for our water levels heading into the summer months. In the Rogue Basin, winter precipitation accounts for the v
