Hiking, ocean pollution highlighted in Straub series

A hiking enthusiast and a scientist who has written about the plastic pollution in the world's oceans will speak this month at the Salem Public Library.

Author William Sullivan presents a slide show on the top “family-friendly” hikes in Oregon on Thursday, Jan. 21.

Sullivan is the author of a dozen books and numerous articles about Oregon hiking, history, and adventure. His journal of a 1,361-mile solo backpacking trek across Oregon, "Listening for Coyote," was chosen by the Oregon Cultural Heritage Commission in 2005 as one of the 100 most significant books in Oregon’s history.

Wildlife author and scientist Ron Hirschi shares photographs of the prevalence of plastic in the ocean and discuss his work to reduce the introduction of plastics as the Straub Environmental Lecture Series continues on Jan. 28.

Hirschi showcases images from the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument encompassing 140,000 square miles of ocean and ten islands and atolls of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.

Both programs are free and begin at 7 p.m. at Loucks Auditorium in the Salem Public Library, 585 Liberty Street SE.

Planning a garden this year? OSU can help

The “Gearing Up for Gardening” series, designed to help Oregonians prepare for the upcoming growing season, begins Jan. 5 at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library.

The first session, "Veggies: Start to Finish" by Josh Kirchenbaum of Territorial Seed Company, explains how to select and grow the best vegetables for the Willamette Valley, from seed starting to harvest. All presentations are Tuesdays from 12:10 to 1 p.m. at the library, located at 645 N.W. Monroe in Corvallis.

Also scheduled are:

• Jan. 12: "Propagation: Divide and Conquer," multiplying perennials.

• Jan. 19: "Berrylicious," incorporating berry plants into your landscape.

• Jan. 26: "Food for the Soil," improve your soil by composting.

• Feb. 2: "Plan and Rake without the Ache," gardening ergonomics.

• Feb. 9: "Low Maintenance Landscaping," minimum effort, maximum results.

• Feb. 16: "ABCs of IPM (Integrated Pest Management)," holistic control of bugs, slugs and garden invaders.

• Feb. 23: "Planning your Planters," creating edible and colorful container gardens.

The series will be videotaped this year to accommodate the usual beyond-capacity audiences. All presentations are Tuesdays from 12:10 to 1 p.m. at the library, located at 645 N.W. Monroe in Corvallis.

Video of each session will be shown on Corvallis community access television, and DVDs will be available for check out. Call 541-766-6750 for more information and dates the videos are available.

Mid-Valley Green Awards noms needed

Nominations are due by the end of the month for The Friends of Straub Environmental Learning Center first-ever Mid-Willamette Valley Green Awards & Dinner.

Local environmental leaders are honored at the ceremony for their efforts and contributions in four areas: Recylcer of the Year, Sustainable Organization of the Year (separate awards for small business, large business and non-profit), EARTHwise-certified Business of the Year and Green Building of the Year.

"We took a look at some of the areas we thought we could recognize leadership and those were the four that really stood out," said Lisa Olivares, executive director of the FSELC.

The March 13 ceremonial dinner and auction are planned as a benefit for the Straub's ongoing environmental learning program and its success allows programming to remain free to the public, Olivares said.

For more information about the awards, or to download nomination forms, visit www.fselc.org. Nominations are due by 4 p.m., Jan. 31.