A grizzly bear expert will kick off a conservation lecture series at the Oregon Zoo at the end of January.

Dwindling populations have become a common theme for countless animal species across the globe. Ecosystems are threatened by changing environments, lack of space and human encroachment. Dr. Lance Craighead, executive director of the Craighead Environmental Research Institute, will discuss how to reverse this process on Tuesday, Jan. 29, at 7 p.m.

In his lecture, "Planning the Persistence of Large Carnivores," Craighead demonstrates that grizzly bears, wolves, wolverines, lynxes and other mammals need large landscapes to maintain stable populations. He shows how developing conservation plans with cutting-edge technology and grassroots community connections has helped protect the last remaining habitats of these powerful predators.

"Developing conservation plans for large carnivores is incredibly important in sustaining ecosystems," said Oregon Zoo Director Tony Vecchio. "Providing these animals with larger habitats is an important first step and can provide some relief to the pressures these carnivores are facing."

These large animals have a high sensitivity to humans, therefore they have the greatest need for relatively large, undisturbed environments. By developing conservation plans for these large mammals, biologists can help boost populations of other animal and plant species.

Craighead, currently an adjunct assistant professor of biology at Montana State University, has worked as a volunteer, graduate student, consultant and employee on a variety of research projects. Most of his research has focused on birds and large mammals, particularly grizzly bears and other carnivores. He is the author of the popular guidebook "Bears of the World"

(Voyageur Press, 2000), and has also contributed chapters to the books "Metapopulations and Wildlife Conservation" (Island Press, 1996) and "Carnivores in Ecosystems" (Yale University Press, 1999).

He is an experienced field ecologist, population geneticist and Geographic Information Systems technician, with several years of experience in conservation area design. He is a member of World Conservation Union's World Committee of Protected Areas, the Society for Conservation Biology, the Society for Conservation GIS, and the Wildlife Society. He is also vice president of the Northern Rockies Conservation Co-op.

The Wildlife Conservation Lecture Series continues through April with the following additional lectures:

Tuesday, Feb. 26

Dr. Marc P. Hayes, Research Scientist, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife "Climate Change, Disease, Exotics and Humans: The Unique Case of the Oregon Spotted Frog"

Tuesday, March 25

Bob Sallinger, Conservation Director, Audubon Society of Portland "Peregrines of Portland: Birds, Bridges and Urban Biodiversity"

Tuesday, April 29

Scott Black, Entomologist, Xerces Society "What Good Are Bugs? The Case for Invertebrate Conservation"