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OPB documentary, partnered with OSU's Oregon Sea Grant, wins prestigious award
"The Silent Invasion" chosen as winner of 2009 Alfred I. DuPont-Columbia University Award
Shyna Gill
Issue date: 2/5/09 Section: News
An Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) documentary produced in partnership with OSU's Oregon Sea Grant has won an Alfred I. DuPont-Columbia University award.
"The Silent Invasion," originally aired on OPB in April 2008. The program was recently selected as one of the 13 winners of the 2009 Alfred I. DuPont-Columbia University Awards.
This prestigious award is considered the broadcast journalism equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize.
The winning program, "The Silent Invasion: An Oregon Field Guide Special," documented how invasive species are changing the environment in Oregon. The documentary has since been renamed "Silent Invasions."
Invasive species are non-native, and are classified as species whose introduction can possibly create environmental harm, economic loss and harm to human health.
Silent Invasions was produced by Oregon Field Guide producer Ed Jahn.
Samuel Chan, an aquatic invasive species and watershed health specialist with the Oregon Sea Grant and OSU Extension Service, Gwenn Kubeck, Denise Lach and Lynn Dierking all worked with Jahn as technical advisors for the documentary.
Chan became involved in the documentary after the release of the 2007 report card on the status of invasive species in Oregon released by the Oregon Invasive Species Council (OISC).
"One element of that report was the development of a major statewide campaign to promote invasive species awareness and personal action," Chan said. "With appropriations of less than $15,000 per biennium for all OISC activities, the reality of an effective statewide campaign seemed out of reach."
Jahn contacted Chan about the possibility of developing documentaries on invasive species. "OPB President Steve Bass, Executive Vice President Jeff Douglas, and Ed each had seen how invasive species have impacted and continues to impact Oregon and thus really supported the cause," Chan said.
With the assistance of the OSU Sea Grant, as well as partnerships with SOLV and OISC, OPB became the platform to spread the message to educate the public about invasive species.
"The Silent Invasion," originally aired on OPB in April 2008. The program was recently selected as one of the 13 winners of the 2009 Alfred I. DuPont-Columbia University Awards.
This prestigious award is considered the broadcast journalism equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize.
The winning program, "The Silent Invasion: An Oregon Field Guide Special," documented how invasive species are changing the environment in Oregon. The documentary has since been renamed "Silent Invasions."
Invasive species are non-native, and are classified as species whose introduction can possibly create environmental harm, economic loss and harm to human health.
Silent Invasions was produced by Oregon Field Guide producer Ed Jahn.
Samuel Chan, an aquatic invasive species and watershed health specialist with the Oregon Sea Grant and OSU Extension Service, Gwenn Kubeck, Denise Lach and Lynn Dierking all worked with Jahn as technical advisors for the documentary.
Chan became involved in the documentary after the release of the 2007 report card on the status of invasive species in Oregon released by the Oregon Invasive Species Council (OISC).
"One element of that report was the development of a major statewide campaign to promote invasive species awareness and personal action," Chan said. "With appropriations of less than $15,000 per biennium for all OISC activities, the reality of an effective statewide campaign seemed out of reach."
Jahn contacted Chan about the possibility of developing documentaries on invasive species. "OPB President Steve Bass, Executive Vice President Jeff Douglas, and Ed each had seen how invasive species have impacted and continues to impact Oregon and thus really supported the cause," Chan said.
With the assistance of the OSU Sea Grant, as well as partnerships with SOLV and OISC, OPB became the platform to spread the message to educate the public about invasive species.
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