With millions of gallons of mine waste contaminating the Animas River, rivers are a timely topic for the Four Corners Lecture Series.

Chris Rasmussen will speak on Thursday, Aug. 20, on "Ecology of Southwestern Rivers: Form and Function, Restoration and Resilience." Her presentation will begin at 7 p.m. at the Crow Canyon Archaeological Center, 23390 Road K, Cortez.

Rasmussen will talk about river bottomlands the form and function: blue, the role of water, mobilizing and shaping; brown, the role of sediment, filling, rerouting and building; and green, growing, holding and slowing all things mobile.

Rasmussen says Southwestern rivers will be affected by climate change - such as early snowmelt and violent precipitation, drought, fire and invasive species, and will discuss river restorations, common alterations of rivers, what the past means for the future, and how to prepare rivers and communities for increased change.

Rasmussen has studied rivers from the perspective of the disciplines of botany/zoology (her undergraduate degree), range management (her master's), and fluvial geomorphology (her doctorate), with practical experience in geographic information systems, fisheries, and endangered species conservation.

As the owner of EcoMainstream Contracting in Mancos, she has worked with a variety of agencies, conservation organizations and researchers around the West.

More information: 970-564-4362.