Lecture Series

Whenever possible, archived video of the Starker Lectures is maintained in the Real Video movie format. Transcripts are maintained in the Adobe Acrobat Reader format.

Year	Description
2013	Forest Biomass Energy and Beyond Interest in renewable energy sources has soared in recent years, and the Pacific Northwest’s abundant forest lands represent an important source of biomass for heat energy and as feedstock for liquid biofuels and chemicals. However, the process of forest biomass production, extraction and use for energy and other purposes is diverse and complex, with many small- and large-scale technical, economic, and environmental issues to consider. The 2013 Starker Lecture Series will provide a forum for a state-of-the-art, wide-ranging discussion of these issues and the unique challenges and opportunities in forest biomass utilization. Key lecture topics for the 2013 Starker Series include an overview of biorefinery opportunities and challenges, a current technology case study, environmental considerations (panel), and state-level bioenergy policies and initiatives. The Series will conclude with a capstone field trip that will show local examples of forest biomass and energy production “from the ground up.” The Starker Lecture Series is sponsored by the Starker Family in Honor of T.J. and Bruce Starker and is supported by the OSU College of Forestry and the Oregon Forest Resources Institute.
2012	Watershed Moments: People, Forests, and Water Water is an Essential Resource In the coming year, both ongoing and new concerns about forest and water interactions are expected to generate increased interest among forest owners, managers, and the academic community. Questions and controversies concerning water protection policies and legal issues, coupled with emerging new information from paired watershed studies, provide a rich array of topics for this year's 2012 Starker Lecture Series. The 2012 Starker Lecture Series will kick-off with a tie-in to the February 28 Oregon Forests and Water Symposium, sponsored by the Oregon Forest Resources Institute (OFRI). This all day symposium will provide updates on current issues, including paired watershed studies, herbicides, and point source vs. non-point source pollution. The three Starker Lectures that follow will explore selected forest and water issues more deeply, focusing on policy, the science of watersheds, and a global connections perspective. The Capstone Field Trip will offer a tour of the "Alsea Revisited" Watershed Study area.
2011	Oregon's Place in World Forests and Forestry Oregon's forests and global forestry issues The theme of the 2011 Starker Lecture Series acknowledges the important role that Oregon’s forests play in addressing global forestry issues, and the increasingly important context that the world sets for how forestry is practiced in Oregon. The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2011 as International Year of Forests to raise awareness on sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests. The 2011 Starker Lecture Series responds to parts of the UN resolution that encourage partnerships to facilitate and promote activities at the local and national levels. The lecture series has been designed to generate discussions about a wide range of topics, from global trends in forest condition, biodiversity, and wood supply; their implications for local forest management; and the benefits, opportunities and challenges associated with urban forests in the world’s cities.
2010	Ecosystems Services from Forests and Farms The Starker Lecture Series is sponsored by the Starker Family in Honor of T.J. and Bruce Starker and is supported by the OSU College of Forestry and the Oregon Forest Resources Institute. The OSU College of Forestry’s Starker Lecture series for 2010 will feature "Ecosystems Services from Forests and Farms”. Ecosystems Services will be examined from philosophical as well as practical perspectives. Lecturers will discuss the justification for paying landowners for a range of outputs ranging from carbon to water. Markets for ecosystem services, as well as ecosystem services that might be measured and valued will also be examined. The lecture series will conclude on May 7th with a field tour of field sites where ecosystem services are being measured and marketed.
2009	Sustaining Forests, Homes, and Communities The Starker Lecture Series is sponsored by the Starker Family in Honor of T.J. and Bruce Starker and is supported by the OSU College of Forestry and the Oregon Forest Resources Institute. The upcoming Starker Lecture Series will address the issue of sustainability from a broad perspective, ranging from sustainable production and use of forest products to maintaining strong rural communities and the working forests on which they depend. Program speakers will examine key approaches for promoting sustainability, such as forest management certification, green building standards and forest-dependent community initiatives.
2008	The Role of Planted Forests in the Pacific Northwest, Meeting Societal Demands in a Dynamic Environment The Starker Lecture Series is sponsored by the Starker Family in Honor of T.J. and Bruce Starker and is supported by the OSU College of Forestry and the Oregon Forest Resources Institute.
2006	100 Years of Forestry in the Pacific Northwest: A Critical Look Back, A Fresh Look Forward The Starker Lecture Series is sponsored by the Starker Family in Honor of T.J. and Bruce Starker and is supported by the OSU College of Forestry and the Oregon Forest Resources Institute.
1998	Impacts of Different Philosophies on Natural Resources Natural resources are a crucial part of our world. Although actually manipulating resources is a “hands-on” job, resource management in the bigger picture is dramatically affected by the philosophies people bring to the task. The 1998 Starker Lecture theme, “!mpacts of Different Philosophies on Natural Resources,” offers a unique opportunity to consider the effects of different philosophical points of view. Our speakers come from a variety of backgrounds, and offer diverse views of resource philosophies and their consequences for the way we treat the natural world. A transcript of this lecture series is available.