Shawn Stephensen, Wildlife Biologist of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex (Complex), will provide a presentation on seabirds of the Pacific Northwest and ongoing projects related to seabirds on the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge. There are approximately 1.2 million breeding seabirds representing 15 species at 400 colonies in Oregon. Many of the seabird species are in decline and the Complex is conducting scientific studies to assess populations and contributing factors of the decline.

Shawn W. Stephensen has a Bachelor of Science degree in Fisheries and Wildlife from Utah State University and a Master of Science degree in Biological Sciences from University of Alaska Anchorage.  He has worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for over 34 years as a Wildlife Biologist.  He worked for four years with Fish and Wildlife Enhancement in Salt Lake City, Utah conducting contaminant studies, 14 years with Migratory Bird Management in Anchorage, Alaska conducting seabird studies and database management, and 16 years with the Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex in Newport, Oregon conducting seabird studies and refuge management.