Press Release: May 24, 2024

May 24, 2024

Mazamas Announces Recipients of Research, Conservation Grants for 2024

PORTLAND, OR – The Mazamas announced today four recipients of Research and Conservation grants in 2024, totaling $5,500. Oregon’s oldest climbing organization, Mazamas’ primary functions as described in its 1894 charter are “to explore mountains, to disseminate authoritative and scientific information concerning them, and to encourage the preservation of forests and other features of mountains in their natural beauty.” Its mission of exploration, research, and conservation are carried out in part through the distribution of grants to qualified individuals and institutions who share these goals.

Research Grants support graduate research at two Oregon universities

Students from Oregon State University’s Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society (Corvallis, OR) and Portland State University’s Department of Geology (Portland, OR) were awarded grants to advance research in their respective fields.

A PhD candidate at OSU, Nina Ferrari is a wildlife biologist with expertise in ecology and avian research. Her research utilizes field techniques such as tree climbing to examine the vertical distribution of bird habitat throughout the Pacific Northwest’s old-growth and second-growth forest canopies to understand how they vary under microclimatic conditions. By understanding how small temporal variances such as temperature and humidity are a predictor of vertical distributions, Ferrari aims to identify implications for bird responses to climate change.

A Research Grant from the Mazamas will take Natalie Culhane to the Mt. Hood wilderness, where she will gather research in support of her Master’s degree thesis exploring the potential seismic hazard of low-magnitude earthquakes in the Twin Lakes area. Through field mapping, lake and terrestrial coring, and excavation of a small test pit at the study site, Culhane’s goal is to determine whether fault displacement has occurred as recurring tectonic ruptures or singular events related to volcanism.

Conservation Grants support nonprofit initiatives in Blue Mountains, Gifford Pinchot National Forest

The Greater Hells Canyon Council (La Grande, OR) and Cascade Forest Conservancy (Vancouver, WA) were each awarded Conservation Grants for their work to steward and protect public lands. The Mazamas awards Conservation Grants exclusively to tax-exempt 501 (c)3 organizations based in the Pacific Northwest.

Greater Hells Canyon Council will implement a series of guided outings on the Blue Mountains Trail in Northeast Oregon, using staff and other experts to educate participants in topics like native plants, wildlife, cultural history, and various citizen science projects. Since piloting the crowd-sourcing mobile app known as RIMS – Recreation Impact Monitoring System – developed by the Colorado Mountain Club, GHCC is well poised to introduce trail users to the tool to collect detailed data that will help land managers understand the impact of recreation in the region.

Cascade Forest Conservancy has identified four distinct areas in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in need of protections from impacts of logging and road development. By creating two “Road Reduction Areas” and two “Special Areas” as part of the GPNF forest plan, the organization hopes to increase wildland connectivity between existing roadless areas, protect giant western red cedars and Douglas fir trees in areas where timber harvest is a primary management objective, and improve climate resilience as well as backcountry recreation in the region. Mazama funding will be matched by the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, and will be used to carry out on-the-ground efforts as well as a public awareness campaign.

The grant cycle for research and conservation proposals targeted for 2025 completion opens fall, 2024. More information about Mazama grants, including criteria, review process, and past recipients, can be found at mazamas.org/mazamagrants/.

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About the Mazamas

Established in 1894 on the summit of Mt. Hood (Wy’East), the Mazamas is an Oregon-based 501(c)3 with a proud tradition of providing excellence in climbing education, leadership, and conservation in the Pacific Northwest. Its mission – to inspire everyone to love and protect the mountains – is carried out in partnership with more than 300 highly dedicated volunteers through education programs, climbs and hikes (about 1,000 annually), stewardship activities, and scientific research. With a membership of about 3,000 individuals, the Mazamas maintains two facilities, including the carbon neutral Mazama Mountaineering Center in Southeast Portland and the Mazama Lodge in Government Camp.