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

Larry Basch on the research vessel Pluteus.\Photo by Brent Lerwill.
August 31, 2018

Oregon Shores Welcomes Two New Board Members

Larry Basch on the research vessel Pluteus.\Photo by Brent Lerwill. During its last meeting, the Oregon Shores board welcomed two new members through interim appointments. Both will stand for election to full terms in the coming winter’s general membership election. The board also elected officers. Allison Asbjornsen, a former board president, will return to...Read more
The threatened structure is in center of photo, just south of the creek.\Photo courtesy of DLCD.
August 27, 2018

Rockaway Riprap Case Bounces Back from Court

The threatened structure is in center of photo, just south of the creek.\Photo courtesy of DLCD. The hearing that will be held in Rockaway on Wednesday, Sept. 5, on property owner Tai Dang’s effort to riprap his threatened house, is the latest round in a long battle that has taken place over several years. The joint hearing by the city council and planning...Read more
View from the Port Orford dock.\Photo courtesy of ODFW.
August 7, 2018

Big Weekend in Port Orford Coming Up

View from the Port Orford dock.\Photo courtesy of ODFW. One of CoastWatch’s goals for 2018 is to bolster our citizen science projects on the south coast. Assisted by a grant from the Oregon Parks Foundation Fund that helps to cover travel and other costs, we are trying to give the southern coastal counties some special attention. The full weekend of activities...Read more
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

marine_debris_tillamook_recyclers_training.jpg 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 up...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

siletz_river_dennis_white.jpg 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 expertise and an important...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

boardmembers2.png 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. Among current board members, co-presidents Wayne Rifer and Allison Asbjornsen, treasurer Leslie Morehead, and board members Ron Steffens and Patrick Willis were...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