Cascade-Klamath-Siskiyou Connectivity Symposium

Registration for the 2025 Connectivity Symposium is full! Please email Michael Dotson

at michael@kswild.org for available spots.

May 28th & May 29th, 2025

+ Social Hour to follow with libations & food

Wednesday, May 28th at Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon

Thursday, May 29th at the I-5 overpass & Klamath River restoration sites

Please join us to further landscape-level connectivity planning in the
greater Cascade-Siskiyou region of southern Oregon & northern California.

The Cascade-Klamath-Siskiyou Connectivity Symposium brings together NGOs, land & wildlife management agencies, scientists, private landowners, Tribal representatives, and others to carry on a collaborative process for developing a plan of coordinated actions to address constraints and opportunities for wildlife connectivity in southern Oregon and northern California. The symposium is hosted by a steering committee that includes the Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center, Selberg Institute, Southern Oregon Land Conservancy, Defenders of Wildlife, and Pacific Forest Trust.

 

Event Program & Agenda: Wednesday, May 28th

Southern Oregon University’s Stevenson Union, Rogue River Room

speaker Sessions: 9am - 5pm with a catered lunch provided

The presentations and guest speakers, include: 

  • Wonders worth protecting in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument: Matt Witt, photographer; and Dave Willis, Soda Mountain Wilderness Council 

  • Oregon’s Interstate 5 Overcrossing: Amy Amrhein & Jack Williams, Southern Oregon Wildlife Crossing Coalition, and Karen Mager, SOU; Dan Roberts, Oregon Dept of Transportation  

  • Promoting Wildlife Connectivity and investments at the state level: Colin Reynolds, Defenders of Wildlife; Mari Galloway, Wildlands Network 

  • Indigenous Land Trusts and Restoring connections to the land: Jerome V., Nvn-nes-'a Land Trust….

  • Klamath River Restoration, after the dams: Josh Chenowith, Yurok Tribe

  • Wildlife Mapping and Tools: Rachel Wheat, Oregon Dept of Fish and Wildlife; Lyndia Hammer – Pacific Forest Trust; Mari Galloway - Wildlands Network 

We encourage participants to come prepared for discussion and ready to share information about current and future opportunities or threats to wildlife connectivity in the region. 

Social hour: Drinks & Light snacks provided

Event Program & Agenda: Thursday, May 29th

Field Trip to Mariposa Preserve Overcrossing site & Klamath River restoration sites

We will meet in Ashland and caravan/carpool to locations along Interstate 5 at the Mariposa Preserve overcrossing site. We will hear from ODOT and Southern Oregon Wildlife Crossing Coalition members, before driving up the Klamath River road to visit sites where ongoing restoration is happening around the sites of four former Klamath River dam sites. 

 

Downloadable & Fillable PDF Forms:

Additional resources to prepare for your visit to Ashland and Southern Oregon University:

 

Location:

On May 28th, we will meet at Southern Oregon University’s Stevenson Union, Rogue River Room; 1250 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97620. Masks will not be required in indoor or outdoor settings, but those who feel comfortable wearing them are encouraged to do so.  

Lodging:

If you are traveling from out of town to Ashland and need overnight accommodations, please check out the resources from TravelAshland on their website. The closest hotel options within walking distance of SOU include: Palms Cottages, Timbers Motel, & Stratford Inn. 

Transportation:

Ashland, Oregon is conveniently located along Interstate 5 and can be accessed from the north via Exit 19 and 14, and from the South via Exit 11, 14 & 19. 

The closest airport to Ashland is the Rogue Valley International Airport (MFR) and has frequent service to cities like Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Cascade Shuttle has regular options for transportation from the airport to Ashland. 

While in Ashland, Rogue Valley Transportation District has regular routes through town with a couple of stops in front of the University’s Stevenson Union. 

Parking:

There will be parking available close to the SOU Stevenson Union. Please look out for a final email the day before the event with all the details about parking, registration, and food service for the event.