Fossils and the Future: Lessons from Oregon’s Ecological Past

Spend an evening with Oregon Natural Desert Association as we continue the High Desert Speaker Series by uncovering the fossilized world of eastern Oregon. Dr. Samantha Hopkins, University of Oregon Professor and Earth Sciences Department Head, will take us on a journey through time as she reveals what Oregon’s high desert fossils tell us about the past, present and future. We’ll explore a few fossilized mammals of eastern Oregon and discover what these creatures tell us about the desert ecosystem 30 million years ago. Samantha will also explain how fossils reveal changes in ecosystems and communities over time and what those shifts can tell us about our future in a changing climate.