In this program, Robert Steelquist will present an overview of Garry oak (Quercus garryana) natural history, its historic and present ranges, ecological benefits and current status. The presentation also covers Indigenous ecological management as well as progress made in oak restoration on the vestigial Sequim Prairie, where over 2,000 oak seedlings were planted in 2002 and 2003 in cooperation with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.  

A photographer and writer, Robert Steelquist is a board member of the Olympic Chapter of the Washington State Native Plant Society. In this presentation he shares his long-standing commitment to oak woodland restoration at a critical turning point in climate change and habitat loss. He is author of 13 books of Pacific Northwest natural history. His most recent book is The Northwest Coastal Explorer (Timber Press, 2016). Mr. Steelquist spent his career serving in state and federal environment organizations including the National Park Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and has served on boards of directors of many nonprofit conservation organizations. He holds a Master of Environmental Studies degree from The Evergreen State College.