Coastal Conservation News Archive

A complete archive of our past news articles, beginning in Fall 2016; older articles from our previous website are available in the historical archive

Floras Lake beach.\Photo by Bob Ivey.
August 5, 2018

Curry County Considers Floras Lake Land Swap

Floras Lake beach.\Photo by Bob Ivey. The fate of county-owned lands bordering Curry County’s Floras Lake has been periodically at issue for decades, as county commissioners and businesspeople have contemplated development schemes for this natural area. Oregon Shores has opposed each proposal, and local conservationists have organized very effectively to beat...Read more
Tillamook Master Recyclers volunteers work with Neah-Kah-Nie 7th grade students.
June 13, 2018

Tillamook Recyclers Tackle Plastics Problem at Local Level

Tillamook Master Recyclers volunteers work with Neah-Kah-Nie 7th grade students. Plastics in the environment is a world wide problem, but there are actions that can be taken in local communities to reduce plastic waste in our oceans and alert people to this important conservation issue. The Tillamook County Master Recyclers are doing just that. They have taken...Read more
June 1, 2018

Sitka Sedge State Natural Area Officially Opens

View of Sitka Sedge State Natural Area from dike road. | Photo by Dale Harmer. One of Oregon Shores’ greatest triumphs was the preservation of the Sand Lake Spit. In the early part of this century, the area, then known as the Beltz Farm, was under threat of resort development. Working with local supporters in adjacent Tierra del Mar, Oregon Shores successfully...Read more
The Siletz River, which Cat Tufts loved to fish.\Photo by Dennis White.
April 21, 2018

In Memoriam: Cathern Tufts

The Siletz River, which Cat Tufts loved to fish.\Photo by Dennis White. We’re saddened to report the death of long-time Oregon Shores board member Cathern Tufts, who passed away recently due to complications from the flu. Cat was a valued board member, and served as Oregon Shores’ board secretary for several years. She also brought very relevant professional...Read more
Nestucca River scene.\Photo by Dennis White.
March 29, 2018

Fish and Wildlife Priorities Will Be Subject of Town Halls

Nestucca River scene.\Photo by Dennis White. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is offering a series of “town halls” around the state, to give members of the public an opportunity to weigh in on the agency’s priorities as it develops its proposed 2019-2021 budget. A particular concern is the lack of funding in the department’s initial plans for...Read more
2018 Oregon Shores Board Members
March 28, 2018

Meet Oregon Shores’ New Board Members

Newly elected or re-elected Oregon Shores board members, clockwise from left: Ed Joyce, Wayne Rifer, Patrick Willis, Ron Steffens, Allison Asbjornsen, Eric Watkins, and Leslie Morehead. In the recent online election (Oregon Shores’ first such electoral foray into the digital realm), members voted near-unanimously for a slate of new and returning board members...Read more
March 20, 2018

Sightings: By-the Wind Sailors Make Beach Landings Early this Year

Velella velella wash-up. Photo by Dale Harmer. Reports have been flooding in since mid-March that the by-the wind sailors, known to science as Velella velella , have arrived early this year. Large masses have been reported on some beaches, in some cases already decomposing. What’s more, we’re seeing large wash-ups of young, so small they aren’t readily apparent...Read more
March 16, 2018

Global Warming Commission Has New Website

The Oregon Global Warming Commission has a new, improved website and climate-focused blog at...Read more
Snowy Plover chicks.\Photo by Adam Kotaich.
March 16, 2018

Snowy Plover Nesting Period Ends

Snowy Plover chicks.\Photo by Adam Kotaich. Beachgoers assist the ongoing effort to restore healthy populations of the threatened Western Snowy Plover to Oregon’s beaches by respecting nesting areas and beach restrictions during nesting season, March 15 through Sept. 15. Signs and ropes that identify sensitive western snowy plover nesting areas have gone up now...Read more
Fawn Custer teaching tidepool clinic.\Photo by Alex Derr.
February 24, 2018

Tidepool Tours Offered in Lincoln City

Fawn Custer teaching tidepool clinic.\Photo by Alex Derr. Tidepools and rocky shore habitats are the focus of a series of short field trips CoastWatch has been offering this spring, and which continue into summer. The events are free and open to everyone. They also double as training sessions for CoastWatchers—or prospective CoastWatchers—with rocky stretches...Read more