January Nature Night: Central Oregon’s Stealthy Sierra Nevada Red Fox

The Sierra Nevada red fox may be one of the rarest mammals in North America—but don’t tell it that. This elusive, mountain-loving carnivore has a knack for showing up only when it feels like it…which is not often. Join Deschutes Land Trust and Jamie Bowles, Regional Habitat Biologist with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and unofficial “fox whisperer,” for a lively dive into what we’re learning about these high-elevation Houdinis. Jamie will share new findings on where the foxes roam, what habitats they actually prefer (versus the ones they let us find), and why studying them often involves snow, patience, and the occasional sense of humor. Attendees will leave with a clearer picture of the fox’s status in the Central Cascades, a few behind-the-scenes field stories, and a renewed appreciation for one of Oregon’s most charming and frustratingly stealthy animals.

Jamie Bowles is a Regional Habitat Biologist for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, where she has spent the last decade navigating forests, mountains, and more than a few curious critters. As the lead researcher on the Sierra Nevada red fox in Oregon, Jamie has become one of the state’s go-to experts on this rare and charismatic animal. Her passion for big game and forest carnivores fuels her work, whether she is tracking foxes in the snow or championing habitat conservation across the region.

All Nature Nights are free, but a ticket is required. Ticket sales open one month prior to the Nature Night at deschuteslandtrust.org.

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