Biography:

Howard has been a biologist with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife since 2000, working mostly on Columbia River fisheries research and management projects.

He has served as the agency’s Southern Resident Orca Conservation Coordinator since 2023, co-authoring a biological assessment for the Southern Residents, working on the state listing process, and coordinating conservation and recovery efforts. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations from the University of California, Davis and a Bachelor of Science degree in Fisheries Science from Oregon State University.

Howard enjoys fishing, traveling, and working on making his yard pollinator- friendly.

Biography:

Bold colors, geometric patterns, and botanical profiles capture the eye in Erik Abel’s artwork. Inspired by his love of the ocean, surfing and travel, Abel’s work articulates the spirit of the water and awe of nature.

His roots as a California surfer intermingle with his experiences living in the Pacific Northwest as well as traveling to the South Pacific and Central America, imparting an organic, tribal style to his subjects and compositions. Upon a closer look, Abel’s graphic imagery unfolds to tell the story of his paintings.

Accents peak through unexpectedly revealing the layers of color Abel cloaks in each piece while loose strokes of colored pencil create detail and dimension. Abel now lives and works in Ashland, Oregon. His original pieces have been featured in galleries across the country and abroad while his commercial work has attracted clients including Patagonia, Reef, REI and Billabong. Abel gives back to environmental and humanitarian projects through nonprofit partnerships, exhibitions, and commercial projects.

Biography:

Kevin is the founder of Deep Green Wilderness and Save the North Pacific Right Whale. Believing strongly in a sailboat’s power to inspire and build confidence Kevin founded Deep Green Wilderness and has spent the past decade taking students voyaging on the Salish Sea and North Pacific in search of whales and learning the tools of conservation. Along the way Kevin fell deeply in love with North Pacific right whales and with his shipmates created Save the North Pacific Right Whale to turn passion into protection for the whales. Following the success of the film the Unknown Sea in 2016, Kevin has continued storytelling through film, producing Right Over the Edge to tell the tragic history of the North Pacific right whale and hopefully influence their future. Kevin has deep roots in the Northwest skateboarding and surfing communities and hopes the best parts of these cultures show up in his film and sailing work.

Biography:

Lilah Wise holds a BS in Marine Science from California State University, Monterey Bay, where she began her research career, tracking recruitment patterns of purple sea urchins along the Monterey Peninsula. She followed her life-long fascination with killer whales to Iceland, where she conducted fieldwork and data analysis on social networks and feeding ecology as an NSF LSAMP scholar with the Icelandic Orca Project. Lilah is a graduate student at Oregon State University, where she is completing the Marine Mammal Graduate Certificate. With a decade of experience in science education, Lilah is passionate about increasing accessibility and participation in marine science and looks forward to honoring that mission through her participation in the Adventure Scientists community.