Sundries

Become A Whale Expert

October 30, 2008
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Ever wonder what it takes to become a volunteer for Oregon’s Whale Watching weeks?

You’ll have to take some formal training, and the next opportunity for that is Nov. 22 and 23 in Newport.

It takes place at the Hatfield Marine Science Center and the lead trainer is Dr. Bruce Mate of OSU’s Marine Mammal Institute. He’ll kick things off Saturday morning with such topics as Gray Whale biology and natural history.

The cost is amazingly cheap. Advanced registration is $20 and the same day cost is $25. If you want to camp, Oregon Parks and Recreation has set aside free camping at nearby South Beach and Beverly Beach state parks.

Morris Grover, who coordinates the session, says attending this conference entitles you to life long privileges as a volunteer for the “Whale Watching Spoken Here” program. The next two periods run from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1. And then it resumes March 21-28 of next year.

You can get more information here:
Depoe Bay Whale Watching Center

Or by calling the center at 541-765-3304.

Or you can even e-mail Morris directly at morris.grover@state.or.us

A Shortage Of Sewage?

October 15, 2008
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The writers at Oregon State are having a little too much fun this week with a warning that we may soon face a worldwide “stubborn shortage of sewage”.

That’s their clever way of telling us about some serious research into generating electricity from biowastes, including the stuff you flush down the toilet.

Hong Liu, an Associate Professor, has developed a process of producing hydrogen from waste at a cost that may be commercially viable. The hydrogen could be used in fuel cells, which in turn could power cars or even generate electricity. Liu says her process is much cheaper than electrolysis, which is the usual method for creating hydrogen.

In a press release, Liu says, “In the laboratory we’re already quite close to the Department of Energy hydrogen cost goal of $2 to $3 per gasoline gallon equivalent, or GGE. And with some additional research it should be possible to scale these systems up to levels needed for commercial use.”

The process uses microorganisms that break down the waste, while probes (an anode and a cathode) draw out protons and electrons that combine to produce hydrogen. Think of it as a sewage powered battery.

Plus, and Liu says this may be the best news of all, along with producing hydrogen the process also produces clean water.

Liu tells Natural Oregon that so far, she’s been working with small scale projects. But the hope is to create a commercial sized facility where sewage and other biowastes go in one end, and clean water and hydrogen come out the other.

Which is how the writers came up with the whole “shortage” of sewage concept. If you’re turning sewage into clean water and energy, we’re sure to run out of it, right? Get it? Okay, let’s move on.

For the full press release including the dire predictions of sewage shortages, click here:
Oregon State University: Researchers Moving Closer to Creating Viable Energy From Sewage.

Bad Tree!

October 15, 2008
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Who knew that, in some parts of Oregon, Juniper trees are an invasive species and more of a nuisance than part of the landscape?

Well, it’s news to us and one reason why we found an article in the Blue Mountain Eagle so interesting.

According to the Eagle, the Juniper has spread from about 1.5 million acres in the 1930s to about 6.5 million acres in 2005. The reason is that we’re now putting out more wildfires that, in the past, would prevent the tree from spreading. Plus, when Junipers move into new territory they take up way more than their fair share of soil moisture from native plants.

Removing Junipers is very expensive and while there’s government help available, it really doesn’t come close to covering the full cost.

So…some really smart guys have figured out ways to make money off the Juniper, including flooring, furniture and even houses built entirely out of the tree.

The photo of a stone fireplace with a juniper mantel is beautiful and worth a peak even if you don’t want to read the full article.

Blue Mountain Eagle: Taming A Western Invader