Karen Steensma, M.Sc.

Community Involvement

1985-2009. Numerous guided beachwalks and presentations for various community and professional groups, churches and schools.

1990-2009.  Interviewed for various print and broadcast media articles on topics related to farmland preservation, kestrel falcon projects, salmon habitat restoration, and other stewardship issues.

2000-2008. Speaker and host, AuSable Institute of Environmental Studies Annual Integrative Session Day at Steensma Dairy, Lynden, WA.  "Ecological Agriculture."

2009. Steensma, K.M.M. Lower Mainland Horticultural Improvement Association Short Course, Abbotsford, BC. "Bird deterrent methods for agricultural areas of southwest British Columbia and northwest Washington."

2008. Steensma, K.M.M. Western Washington Small Fruit Conference, Lynden, Washington. "Advances in bird deterrent methods for agricultural areas of Southwest British Columbia and Northwest Washington."

2008. Edworthy, A. and K.M.M. Steensma. Murdock Charitable Trust College Science Research Conference, Tacoma, Washington. "Habitat and migration patterns of the Oregon forestsnail Allogona townsendiana."

2008. Steensma, K.M.M. and K. Hartline. Creative Scarecrows Alternative Bird Control Techniques Meeting, Lynden, Washington. "Increasing nesting habitat for American Kestrels."

2007. Steensma, K.M.M., B. Dover and K. Hartline. Western Washington Small Fruit Conference, Lynden, Washington. "Use of kestrels for biological control of starlings on fruit and dairy farms."

2007. Leigh, D. and K.M.M. Steensma. Murdock Charitable Trust College Science Research Conference, Portland, Oregon.  "Determining mortality in an endangered land snail, Allogona townsendiana."

2007. Koole, S.R. and K.M.M. Steensma. Georgia Basin Puget Sound Scientific Research Conference, Vancouver, BC. "Land use in the Canadian portions of two transboundary watersheds, Bertrand Creek and Fishtrap Creek."

2007. Steensma, K.M.M. and. R. Pelant. Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, Washington. "Global conservation as Christian mission."

2006. Rekers, M. and K.M.M. Steensma. Murdock Charitable Trust College Science Research Conference, Portland, Oregon.  "Determination of home range and seasonal habitat preference in Allogona townsendiana using harmonic range tracking."

2006. Steensma, K.M.M. and D.R. Clements. American Scientific Affiliation Annual Meeting, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Invited presentation. "A Tale of Oaks, Salmon and Snails: Land Stewardship at Trinity Western University."

2005. Steensma, K.M.M., P.L. Lilley, and H.M. Zandberg. Invertebrate Species at Risk Symposium, Victoria, B.C.  "Preliminary assessment of critical nesting habitat for the Oregon forest snail Allogona townsendiana."

1999, 2005. Visiting professor, Creation Care Study Program, University of Belize Marine Station, Central America, "Tropical Marine Ecosystems."

2004. Naturalist/guide, American Scientific Affiliation Annual Meeting, field trip to Vancouver Harbour and Vancouver Aquarium, BC. "Marine Biology in the Pacific Northwest."

2002.  Visiting professor, Creation Care Study Program, Western Samoa, South Pacific.  "Tropical Marine Ecosystems."

2002.  Invited naturalist, Lynden City Park and Recreation Committee, Lynden, Washington.  "The Biology and History of Berthusen Park."

2002.  Invited speaker, Lynden Pioneer Museum, Lynden, Washington.  "Historic Farmhouses of North Whatcom County."

2000.  Keynote speaker, Washington State Dairy Federation 108th Annual Meeting, Blaine, Washington. "Are Cows and Salmon Ecologically Compatible?"

2000-2001.   Invited lecturer, Whatcom Conservation District Stream Team Educational Workshop, Lynden, WA. "The History and Biology of Bertrand Creek."

2000.  Panelist, public community forum, Lynden, WA.  "Is the Farmer an Endangered Species? Compatibility of Salmon and Agriculture."

2000.  Carlson G., and K.M.M. Steensma, Inheriting the Earth conference on Conflict, Faith, and the Environmental Professional, Langley B.C., "Crossing the 49th Parallel: Transboundary Stream Issues."

2000.  Visiting professor, AuSable Institute of Environmental Studies, Whidbey Island, WA.  "Marine Stewardship."

1997. Clements, D; A. Carlile; K.M.M. Steensma; D. Kehler; B.G. Wernick; H. Schreier. Poster presented at Soil and Water Conservation Society meeting, Toronto, OT.   "Management of a healthy salmon stream (the Salmon River, Langley, B.C.) subject to increased urban and agricultural pressures."

1997.  Interviewed by R. Keller for chapter in: Whatcom Places, "Loving the Land in Lynden." (Bellingham, WA: Whatcom Land Trust.  98 pp.)

1990, 1994.  Workshop leader, American Association of University Women "Expanding Your Horizons" program for middle school girls, Bellingham, WA.  "Lifestyles of the soft and squishy: study of marine animals".

1991.  Workshop leader, Society of Christian Schools of BC conference on Christian stewardship of the environment for high school biology teachers and students, Langley, BC. "Marine ecology."

1990.  Workshop leader and panelist, Institute for Christian Studies family conference on Christians and the environment; Yarrow, BC.  "Marine ecology and environmental pressures in the world's oceans."

1989.  Panelist on an episode of television program, "Anchor", KVOS TV, Bellingham, WA.  "Effects of the Exxon Valdez oil spill on marine life."

1988.  Keynote speaker, forum on Christian environmental stewardship sponsored by Concerned Christian Citizens, Lynden, WA.  "Christian stewardship of the earth's resources."