We’re right in the middle of the rainy planting season, and we need your help more than ever! Our volunteer day this Friday is at our Native Plant Nursery in Beaver Creek from 9 AM to 1 PM. Join us on January 24th as we process willow stakes for future restoration projects and fill pots with soil for plant propagation. All skill levels are encouraged to attend! Please dress for wet weather, muck boots are encouraged. 

Volunteer Nursery Day- January 24th 9 AM - 1 PM

Directions to the Nursery:

Gate Location: Click here for the map

Nursery Location: Click here for the map

Please push open the gate (it will be unlocked), close it behind you, and drive all the way down the dirt road until you get to the nursery. 

Please let Natalie (natalie@midcoastwc.org) know if you will be attending. We look forward to seeing you there!

Join us Friday, January 10th for a native planting day at Mill Creek, near the town of Alsea! We’ll be planting trees and shrubs, marking the plantings with bamboo stakes, and processing willow.

Mill Creek underwent a major restoration this summer, with over 300 logs placed in-stream and large sections of the floodplain reconnected. This is a unique opportunity to visit one of our biggest projects of 2024 and help restore native vegetation to the area!

Details:

• Location: Alsea Guard Station (https://maps.app.goo.gl/V9ucCh9FeTpXyxmK6)

• Time: 8:45 AM - 1 PM

• Meeting Options: Meet at Alsea Guard Station at 8:45 or carpool from the MidCoast office in Newport. If carpooling, meet at 7:40 AM at the MCWC office and rsvp with Natalie (914 SW Coast Highway, Newport, OR 97365).

• Parking Information: Parking is available in the Alsea Guard Station lot. Carpooling is encouraged if you’re traveling from Newport.

• What to Bring: Wear hiking boots or rubber boots and dress in layers to prepare for varying weather conditions. Bring plenty of water to stay hydrated. We will provide snacks and tools.

Please let Natalie (natalie@midcoastwc.org) know if you'll be joining us, your participation makes a huge difference!

Starr Creek Directions

Friday, December 20, from 9 AM to 1 PM, we're hosting a Native Planting party at Starr Creek Preserve, a tidal wetland in the Alsea Bay owned and managed by The Wetlands Conservancy.

Earlier this year, Starr Creek Preserve saw a major restoration effort, with over 200 logs strategically placed in the stream and floodplain to create complex, healthy habitat for salmon. This work is possible because of the collaboration between The Wetlands Conservancy and MCWC. Now, we're working to restore native vegetation to enhance these efforts and support long-term ecosystem health. All are welcome—come help us bring native plants back to this special site!

Details:

• Location: Starr Creek

• Time: 9 AM - 1 PM

• Meeting Options: Meet at Starr Creek at 9 or carpool from the MidCoast office in Newport. If carpooling, meet at 8:30 AM at the MCWC office (914 SW Coast Highway, Newport, OR 97365).

• Parking Information: Park along the gravel pullouts on N Bayview Ct. Parking is available, but carpooling is encouraged.

• What to Bring: Wear hiking boots or rubber boots and dress in layers to prepare for varying weather conditions. Bring plenty of water to stay hydrated. We will provide snacks and tools.

Please let Natalie (natalie@midcoastwc.org) know if you'll be joining us, your participation makes a huge difference!

Out of an abundance of caution due to the potential for high winds this afternoon and evening, we are canceling tonight’s planned Siletz Watershed meeting. Your safety is our top priority, so please stay home, stay safe, and take care during this gusty weather!

We wish you a wonderful holiday season and look forward to seeing you at our next meeting in March.

Join us at our upcoming Siletz Watershed Quarterly Meeting, on December 17th at 5:30 PM, hosted at the Siletz Public Library.

During the meeting we’ll hear from Evan Hayduk, Executive Director of MidCoast Watersheds Council, who will provide updates on upcoming construction projects on the Siletz, including phase II of the Lower Drift Creek tidal restoration project. Evan will also give an update on Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians’ mainstem and Siletz bay large woody debris project. A portion of the logs being used for the project are provided by MCWC through our log salvage program.

Siletz Watershed Quarterly Meeting

December 17th @ 5:30-6:30 PM

Siletz Public Library

255 S Gaither St, Siletz, OR 97380

We are working to secure funding to support future meetings in the Siletz basin, and we’d love to hear what you’re interested in learning more about. Email Natalie (natalie@midcoastwc.org) or plan to attend the meeting to let us know!

Your presence and participation would greatly improve these community events, as we come together to foster a healthier Siletz watershed. Looking forward to seeing you there!

We’re thrilled to share some exciting news—our native plant nursery is once again open to the public! The road leading to it, S Beaver Creek Rd, is accessible after a long closure for bridge replacement. Join us on December 6th as we process willow stakes for future restoration projects and prepare our native plant nursery for the winter season. All skill levels are encouraged to attend! Please dress for wet weather, muck boots are encouraged. 

Native Nursery Volunteer Day

December 6th @ 9 AM - 1 PM

Directions to the Nursery:

Gate Location: Click here for the map

Nursery Location: Click here for the map

Please let Natalie (natalie@midcoastwc.org) know if you will be attending. Come lend a hand and make a difference in your local environment. We look forward to seeing you there! 

Happy volunteering!

The MidCoast Watersheds Council invites you to join us to learn about the vital role of prescribed fire in habitat restoration and management on the Oregon Coast. For millennia, Indigenous tribes across the Americas utilized prescribed fire as a primary tool for large-scale habitat management. These intentional burns shaped ecosystems, promoting biodiversity and maintaining balance. Early European colonists ended these practices for their own purposes; only recently have we become aware of their unintended consequences. Complete fire suppression has not only contributed to severe wildfire risks due to fuel accumulation but has also led to the degradation and loss of critical habitats. For example, less than 1% of the Pacific Northwest’s coastal meadow ecosystem remains, a dramatic decline noted in the Oregon Conservation Strategy. Restoring and maintaining these ecosystems may depend on reintroducing fire as a management tool.

On the Oregon Coast, prescribed fire is used primarily for ecological restoration and coastal meadow conservation rather than wildfire risk reduction, a role that differs significantly from other ecoregions in the state. Federal agencies, including the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, as well as organizations like The Nature Conservancy, lead these efforts on public and preserved lands such as Cascade Head Preserve. However, with 63% of Lincoln County composed of private lands, there is potential to expand prescribed fire practices into private land management and conservation efforts.

This presentation will feature experts from Oregon State University Extension, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Forest Service, who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience in fire management and ecological restoration. They will delve into the role of prescribed fire in restoring and maintaining ecosystems on the Oregon Coast, highlighting its use by federal agencies, opportunities for expanding its application on private lands, and the social, legal, and environmental challenges involved. The discussion will include practical strategies to address these challenges, offering valuable insights into how prescribed fire can serve as a key tool for fostering ecological resilience.

Speakers: 

Aaron Groth

Regional Fire Specialist, OSU Forestry and Natural Resources Extension Fire Program

Aaron is the regional fire specialist for the North Coast within the OSU Forestry and Natural Resources Extension Fire Program. He works with communities as well as local, state, federal, private, and nonprofit partners at different scales across the Coast to provide education and foster fire resilient communities and landscapes. He has worked for local, state, and federal agencies, international cooperation, nonprofits, and served as an Environmental Peace Corps Volunteer in Peru.   

David Thomson

Restoration Specialist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service & U.S. Forest Service

David serves as a Restoration Specialist shared between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Ecological Services and Refuges branches, and the U.S. Forest Service’s Hebo and Central Coast Ranger Districts on the Siuslaw National Forest. His work focuses on coastal meadow restoration in the Pacific Northwest, with a primary goal of recovering the Oregon Silverspot Butterfly.

Brian Bradbury

Fuels Assistant Fire Management Officer, U.S. Forest Service, Siuslaw National Forest

Daniel Crowell

Fire Management Officer, U.S. Forest Service, Siuslaw National Forest

Kate E. Iaquinto

Project Leader, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Photo Credit: USFWS/Taryn Sutton 2024

Why did Oregonians set aside 3% of their nearshore habitat as no-take areas? What does this decision reveal about the values and priorities of the people in this state? And how can these marine reserves contribute to building more sustainable, vibrant, and equitable nearshore ecosystems? The answers to these questions vary depending on who you ask, but understanding those diverse perspectives is essential to shaping the future of Oregon’s coastline.

Join us for an insightful presentation by Dr. Sarah Klain, the Human Dimensions lead for Oregon’s Marine Reserve Program, as she delves into these questions and more. Dr. Klain’s work focuses on investigating how Oregon’s five marine reserves impact people—residents and visitors alike—and what these areas mean for the state’s future. Her research plays a critical role in shaping an upcoming adaptive management planning process that will guide the continued development of these protected areas.

During this talk, Dr. Klain will provide an overview of her program’s latest research and share opportunities for community members to engage in coastal stewardship. Whether you’re a passionate environmentalist, a coastal resident, or simply curious about the future of Oregon’s marine ecosystems, this discussion will offer valuable insights and ways to get involved.

Dr. Sarah Klain leads human dimensions research for the ODFW Marine Reserves Program. After majoring in biology with a minor in economics at Reed College, she worked at Ecotrust interviewing fishermen on the Oregon coast from 2003-2005 to help inform the process for creating the reserves. During her service as a Peace Corps Volunteer, she learned about Micronesian indigenous knowledge of marine ecosystems. She earned her graduate degrees from the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability at the University of British Columbia. Her participatory GIS-based MSc research assessed social and cultural values to inform marine spatial planning. Her PhD research focused on risk and benefit perception of offshore wind as well as community engagement on island communities near proposed wind projects. She conducted riparian restoration research in collaboration with a Tribe and taught ecological economics as well as environmental policy at Utah State University before joining ODFW’s Marine Reserves team. Her favorite hobbies are trail running with her golden doodles, playing at the beach with her kids and attending her husband’s bluegrass gigs.

Join us Friday, November 1st, 2024, for a native planting day at Mill Creek, near the town of Alsea! We’ll be planting trees and shrubs, marking the plantings with bamboo stakes, and offering seed cleaning as an activity for those who prefer a low-exertion option.

Mill Creek underwent a major restoration this summer, with over 300 logs placed in-stream and large sections of the floodplain reconnected. This is a unique opportunity to visit one of our biggest projects of 2024 and help restore native vegetation to the area!

Details:

• Location: Alsea Guard Station (https://maps.app.goo.gl/V9ucCh9FeTpXyxmK6)

• Time: 8:45 AM - 1 PM

• Meeting Options: Meet at Alsea Guard Station at 8:45 or carpool from the MidCoast office in Newport. If carpooling, meet at 7:40 AM at the MCWC office and rsvp with Natalie (914 SW Coast Highway, Newport, OR 97365).

• Parking Information: Parking is available in the Alsea Guard Station lot. Carpooling is encouraged if you’re traveling from Newport.

• What to Bring: Wear hiking boots or rubber boots and dress in layers to prepare for varying weather conditions. Bring plenty of water to stay hydrated. We will provide snacks and tools.

Please let Natalie (natalie@midcoastwc.org) know if you'll be joining us, your participation makes a huge difference!

Are you a landowner along the Alsea River or its tributaries? Are you interested in learning about opportunities for financial and technical assistance in land management?

MidCoast Watersheds Council, a local restoration group, invites you to join us for a free dinner and a presentation about Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs available to landowners. We’ll discuss the support available for owners of small woodlots and private timberlands, including Environmental Quality Incentives Programs (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Programs (CSP). The event will be at the Alsea Library on Wednesday October 30th at 6 PM. Please RSVP through Eventbrite or by calling: 541-265-9195. Our featured speaker is Annie Marion- District Conservationist at USDA NRCS. Annie has spent 15 years with the agency, the last five of which have been in the Waldport Field Office, serving as the District Conservationist for Lincoln and West Lane Counties. We will also be joined by Stephanie Rice, Benton County District Conservationist at NRCS. Stephanie began this role in may of this year, after previous experience with the NRCS as a Soil Conservationist in both the Tangent and John Day offices.

Featured Speakers:

Annie Marion, District Conservationist for Lincoln & West Lane Counties

Stephanie Rice, District Conservationist for Benton County

Dinner provided by MidCoast Watersheds Council (catered by El Cruzero)

During the talk, Annie will outline the technical and financial assistance NRCS provides to small woodland owners and managers, equipping them to successfully implement conservation projects on their properties. She will discuss how the EQIP and CSP programs can help you meet conservation goals, improve land productivity, and contribute to broader efforts to protect natural resources. We encourage landowners and land managers to attend- Both Annie and Stephanie will be on hand for questions.

Please note: This event is at the Alsea Community Library

Starr Creek Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/gg2q1N2HrZZju7RS8

Driving South on 101- Turn left onto N Bayview Rd 3.0 mi, Turn right onto N Bayview Loop 0.3 mi, Slight right onto N Bayview Ct. Destination will be on your left.

Driving North on 101- Turn right onto N Bayview Rd 3.0 mi, Turn right onto N Bayview Loop 0.3 mi, Slight right onto N Bayview Ct. Destination will be on your left.

Friday, October 18, from 9 AM to 1 PM, we're hosting a Native Planting party at Starr Creek Preserve, a tidal wetland in the Alsea Bay owned and managed by The Wetlands Conservancy.

Join MidCoast Watersheds Council for a volunteer riparian planting day at Starr Creek, in support of Orca recovery. We’re excited to host this event in partnership with our neighbors to the north- the Puget Sound Conservation Districts Caucus. Orca Recovery Day is an intentional day of action to build awareness and make a difference for Puget Sound’s local orca pod, the Southern Resident Killer Whales. Learn more about Orca recovery here.

Earlier this year, Starr Creek Preserve saw a major restoration effort, with over 200 logs strategically placed in the stream and floodplain to create complex, healthy habitat for salmon. This work is possible because of the collaboration between The Wetlands Conservancy and MCWC. Now, we're working to restore native vegetation to enhance these efforts and support long-term ecosystem health. All are welcome—come help us bring native plants back to this special site!

Details:

• Location: Starr Creek (https://maps.app.goo.gl/6fm91prfYJYJioph7)

• Time: 9 AM - 1 PM

• Meeting Options: Meet at Starr Creek at 9 or carpool from the MidCoast office in Newport. If carpooling, meet at 8:30 AM at the MCWC office (914 SW Coast Highway, Newport, OR 97365).

• Parking Information: Park along the gravel pullouts on N Bayview Ct. Parking is available, but carpooling is encouraged.

• What to Bring: Wear hiking boots or rubber boots and dress in layers to prepare for varying weather conditions. Bring plenty of water to stay hydrated. We will provide snacks and tools.

Please let Natalie (natalie@midcoastwc.org) know if you'll be joining us, your participation makes a huge difference!

Join MidCoast Watersheds Council and partners for a day on the water removing trash during the Annual Salmon River Cleanup. This is a family-friendly event, with opportunities for trash pickup both by boat and by foot to support the health of this special river system. There will be free food and good times as we do our part to keep the beautiful Salmon River clean. Thank you to North Lincoln Sanitary Service for donating their waste disposal services for this event! For more information or if you would like to use your boat in the clean up, please contact Natalie Dulansky at natalie@midcoastwc.org

Salmon River Cleanup

September 28th @ 9 AM - 2 PM

Knight Park

2341 North 3 Rocks Road Otis, OR 97368

We are thrilled to invite you to the MidCoast Volunteer Appreciation Picnic on September 27th from 12:30 - 3:30 PM at Big Creek Park.

This is a special event to celebrate and thank you for your hard work and dedication to watershed restoration on the MidCoast! If you’ve never volunteered or have been here for years, we encourage you to join us! We couldn’t have achieved so much without the efforts of incredible volunteers like you.

Volunteer Appreciation Picnic

Date: Friday, September 27, 2024

Time: 12:30 - 3:30 PM

Location: Big Creek Park 2510 Northeast Big Creek Road Newport, OR 97365

We have a fun afternoon planned, including:

• A delicious catered lunch

• Fun outdoor games and activities

• An opportunity to meet and connect with fellow volunteers

Please RSVP by September 16th to let us know if you can attend. You can RSVP through our Eventbrite page here. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Join us at our upcoming Siletz Watershed Quarterly Meeting, on September 17th at 6 PM, hosted at the Siletz Public Library.

During the meeting we’ll hear from Katie Saaty, Water Quality Monitoring Specialist at Lincoln Soil and Water Conservation District, who will discuss water quality monitoring in the Siletz basin. While water quality monitoring efforts in the Siletz River Basin have been ongoing for decades, many holes in the big picture of the river system’s health remain to be filled in. At the Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District, work is in progress to collect data to be used in the development of a Clean Water Plan to address impaired dissolved oxygen levels in the watershed.

Katie Saaty first joined the Lincoln SWCD in 2021, and stepped into her current role as the Water Quality Monitoring Specialist two years ago. As a Humboldt State University graduate with a Bachelors in Fisheries Science and former Commercial Fisheries Observer, Katie is thrilled to be using her knowledge of aquatic ecosystems to serve the residents of Lincoln County in protecting our vital waterways and drinking water sources.

​​Water Quality Monitoring in the Siletz-Rock Creek Basin: Establishing a Baseline

September 17th @ 6-7 PM

Siletz Public Library

255 S Gaither St, Siletz, OR 97380

Join MidCoast Watersheds Council to explore the crucial role of pollinators and discover how we can collaborate with them to build sustainable ecosystems. Speakers Tyler Clouse, Celeste Lebo, and Evan Hayduk will present updates on the Lincoln Soil and Water Conservation District’s Oregon Silverspot Butterfly (OSB) meadows, sharing insights and lessons learned from two distinct properties: the Mahaffey meadow and the OCCC OSB Demo Garden. They will also address the challenges pollinators face and provide practical strategies to support their survival. Whether you're a gardener, farmer, or butterfly enthusiast, join us to learn about the importance of pollinators!

Tyler Clouse- Executive Director at LSWCD

Tyler joined Lincoln SWCD in September 2021. He graduated with a B.S. in Environmental Studies from the University of Michigan. Since then, he has worked primarily in the intersection of human resource use and environmental protection through regulatory compliance and outreach. An inquisitive outdoor adventurer, you can find Tyler surfing, swimming, berry pickin’, and exploring the diverse landscape of the region. In his free time, Tyler enjoys gardening, cooking, and playing board games.

Celeste Lebo- Habitat Restoration Biologist, USFWS (Partners for Fish and Wildlife)

Celeste has been active in the field of habitat restoration for over two decades in western Oregon. Moving to the coast in 2009, Celeste has worked for several non-profit and government organizations, restoring and conserving some of our most imperiled coastal native plant communities and species. Exploring the interrelationships between pollinators, plants, and people is one of the many joys that she finds in her work.

Evan Hayduk- Executive Director at MidCoast Watersheds Council

Evan came to Oregon as of his beginnings with MCWC in April 2016, but has a shared sense of Pacific Northwest pride as a lifelong Washingtonian. For almost a decade he has worked in environmental restoration of riparian, wetland, sub-alpine, prairie, forested and oak savanna ecosystems.

MidCoast Watersheds Council invites you to join us for a tour of past and ongoing work on Mill & Beaty Creeks, near the town of Alsea. We’ll guide you through two phases of work at the restoration site, where over 300 logs have been placed to create complex stream habitats and two fish passage barriers have been replaced. On our 1-hour walk along the creek, we'll see active construction being done to replace a culvert, place large logs in the stream, and reconnect the floodplain.

MidCoast Executive Director Evan Hayduk will discuss how you can support restoration projects on your own river, stream, or bayside properties. Please come prepared to walk through sections of mud and uneven ground. Bringing water and snacks is recommended.

Whether you are curious about the what and whys of restoration or if you have interest in helping, we hope to see you at our upcoming event. Tell your neighbors and we look forward to seeing you there!

Location: Meet in Alsea Library Parking Lot

Join MidCoast Watersheds Council for an inside look at the work of local artists Liz Fox and Sandy Roumagoux, whose creations are deeply inspired by estuaries and coastal landscapes. In this talk, they will delve into their latest exhibit, Between the Tides, and share how the coastal regions of Lincoln County inspire their work. 

In celebration of the evening, the galleries at the Pacific Maritime Heritage Center will be open and free for attendees to explore. Arrive at 5:30 PM to enjoy the galleries before the talk begins at 6:30 PM. This is a free event, so don't miss this unique opportunity!

Liz Fox has lived on the Oregon coast for most of her life and has navigated a sea of careers since graduating with a Soil Science degree from OSU in 1980.  Retiring as a high school librarian in 2020, she’s been a full-time potter ever since, diving into the riptide she’s waded in for over 40 years.  Liz and her marine biologist husband, Dave, have 2 amazing children, 3 unruly dogs, and live on a former tideland between Newport and Toledo.  

Sandy Roumagoux is a celebrated artist and former Mayor of Newport, Oregon. Sandy's work is showcased in places like the Portland Art Museum and the Hallie Ford Museum of Art. Recently, she shared her unique vision through exhibits like "Biomass, Invitational" and "Between the Tides." Sandy brings her passion for coastal landscapes to life with every brushstroke.

Friday, June 21, from 9 AM to 1 PM, we're hosting a Weed Pulling Party at Big Creek, just south of Yachats.

We will be hand-pulling noxious weeds like Tansy, foxglove, scotch broom, and non-native brassicas to help native plants flourish. All weeds will be piled and tarped for composting. This work takes place in the floodplain restoration site that MCWC, OPRD, USFS, and other partners completed in 2020. The area is being utilized by Oregon Silverspot butterflies. Native plantings in the floodplain area create a flowering corridor for butterflies moving between occupied sites, and pulling invasive weeds helps the native plants flourish!

Details:

• Location: Big Creek (https://goo.gl/maps/ZDGMuRh1AoKynKr49)

• Time: 9 AM - 1 PM

• Meeting Options: Meet at Big Creek at 9 or carpool from the MidCoast office in Newport. If carpooling, meet at 8 AM at the MCWC office (914 SW Coast Highway, Newport, OR 97365).

• Parking Information: Park along the gravel pullouts on Big Creek Road, 1/2 mile east of Hwy 101. Plenty of parking is available, but carpooling is encouraged.

What to Bring: Wear hiking boots or rubber boots and dress in layers to prepare for varying weather conditions. Bring plenty of water to stay hydrated. We will provide snacks and tools.

Please let Natalie (natalie@midcoastwc.org) know if you'll be joining us, your participation makes a huge difference!

Join MidCoast Watersheds Council and partners for a day on the water removing trash during the Annual Siletz River Cleanup. This is a family-friendly event, with opportunities for trash pickup both by boat and by foot to support the health of this special river system. There will be free food and good times as we do our part to keep the beautiful Siletz River clean. For more information or if you would like to use your boat in the clean up, please contact Natalie Dulansky at natalie@midcoastwc.org

Siletz River Cleanup

June 8th @ 9 AM - 2 PM

Hee Hee Illahee Park

350 S Gaither St, Siletz, OR 97380

Join MidCoast Watersheds Council for a captivating presentation by Dr. Steven Rumrill, Shellfish Program Leader at ODFW, as he discusses the Olympia oyster, the only oyster native to the North American west coast! Populations of this small oyster historically provided valuable ecosystem benefits in the intertidal and subtidal zones, but overharvesting during the late 1800s decreased the population to a fraction of their historical abundance. Olympia oysters currently only occur in three estuaries in Oregon – Netarts Bay, Yaquina Bay, and Coos Bay – where they are estimated at 1-10% of their historic densities prior to the onset of commercial harvest. Rumrill will discuss the many setbacks of Olympia oyster recovery, and showcase a recent project to experimentally enhance the existing population of Olympia oysters at Coquille Point. Don't miss this opportunity to delve into the world of Olympia oysters and the efforts underway to ensure their survival and flourishing in our coastal ecosystems.

Dr. Steven Rumrill has served as the Shellfish Program Leader for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife since 2011, managing a diverse program encompassing policy development, resource assessment surveys, fisheries, research, and outreach activities for a diverse group of shellfish that inhabit Oregon’s various coastal habitats. Before this, he was the Chief Scientist and Research Coordinator for the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve from 1990 to 2011. Currently, he holds adjunct positions at the University of Oregon, Oregon State University, and Portland State University, conducting research and advising graduate students. Rumrill holds a master's degree in Marine Science from UC Santa Cruz (1984) and a Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Alberta (1987).

Are you a landowner along the lower Alsea River or Alsea estuary? Are you interested in learning about opportunities for watershed restoration in your community?

During his talk, Evan Hayduk will discuss the past, present, and future of Oregon’s tidal wetlands, with a focus on the Alsea estuary. As sea level rises, many of these tidal wetlands will be flooded or submerged more frequently, resulting in a transition of wetland types and the upslope "movement" of various tidal habitats, known as Landward Migration Zones (LMZs). Salmon and many other fish and wildlife species depend on tidal wetlands during their life spans, and MidCoast and our partners are working to conserve, protect, and restore these very important tidal wetland areas.

Featured Speaker: Evan Hayduk, Executive Director of MidCoast Watersheds Council

Please note: This event is at the Waldport Community Center

We are excited to announce the revival of our quarterly Siletz Watershed Meetings, and we invite you to join us for the first gathering on May 30th at 6 PM, hosted at the Siletz Public Library.

During the meeting we’ll discuss project updates on past and upcoming Siletz Watershed sites including- Lower Drift Creek, Sam’s Creek, and Rock Creek. Additionally, we'll be discussing plans for our annual Siletz River Cleanup, set to take place at Hee Hee Illahee Park on June 8th, running from 9 AM to 2 PM.

Siletz Watershed Quarterly Meeting

May 30th @ 6 PM

Siletz Public Library

255 S Gaither St, Siletz, OR 97380

Our upcoming volunteer day on May 17th will be at the NORP Nursery in Tillamook, where we’ll be helping their team thin and space native plant seedlings. The Northwest Oregon Restoration Partnership (NORP) supports the restoration efforts of more than 30 organizations by coordinating the propagation and distribution of over 75,000 native plants annually for landscape-scale watershed restoration projects implemented by its partners on private, state, and public lands. We’re thankful to work with them!

We plan to arrive at NORP at 10 am and leave at 2 pm. Since this event is in Tillamook we will be carpooling from the MidCoast office, but people are welcome to meet us at their nursery as well. Please note- **Attendees must be over 18**

If Carpooling: Please arrive at the MidCoast office at 8:30 am and prepare to carpool to the NORP nursery. Please email natalie@midcoastwc.org to RSVP
MCWC Office:
914 SW Coast Highway Newport, OR 97365

NORP Nursery:
6820 Barrack Circle Court,
Tillamook, OR, 97141

Directions- Go north on Hwy 101, and turn right (east) at the flashing yellow light onto Long Prairie Rd. Just past the railroad tracks, turn right onto Blimp Blvd. On Officer Row, take Blimp Blvd south for about 1/4 mile and turn left (easy left, not hard left).  Pass by the Oregon Youth Authority facility parking lot (on the left), then turn left once you get to the Officer's mess hall.  Continue until you arrive at a large gravel pull-out with a greenhouse.  Given the brightly painted office trailer, Park along the long side of the greenhouse.

Shawn Stephensen, Wildlife Biologist of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex (Complex), will provide a presentation on seabirds of the Pacific Northwest and ongoing projects related to seabirds on the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge. There are approximately 1.2 million breeding seabirds representing 15 species at 400 colonies in Oregon. Many of the seabird species are in decline and the Complex is conducting scientific studies to assess populations and contributing factors of the decline.

Shawn W. Stephensen has a Bachelor of Science degree in Fisheries and Wildlife from Utah State University and a Master of Science degree in Biological Sciences from University of Alaska Anchorage.  He has worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for over 34 years as a Wildlife Biologist.  He worked for four years with Fish and Wildlife Enhancement in Salt Lake City, Utah conducting contaminant studies, 14 years with Migratory Bird Management in Anchorage, Alaska conducting seabird studies and database management, and 16 years with the Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex in Newport, Oregon conducting seabird studies and refuge management.

Are you a landowner along the Alsea River or its tributaries? Are you interested in learning about opportunities for watershed restoration in your community?

During this event, Tony Spitzack will delve into the historical context of our relationship with streams, the natural changes that occur over time, and the crucial need to reconnect floodplains. His expertise as a fish biologist, coupled with his extensive experience as an educator and firefighter, uniquely positions him to offer valuable perspectives on this critical issue. We invite Alsea landowners and community members to attend.

Featured Speaker: Tony Spitzack, Fish Biologist with the Bureau of Land Management

Tony Spitzack is a Fish Biologist with the Bureau of Land Management. He is part of an interdisciplinary team managing public lands in the Marys Peak Field Office in accordance with the BLM’s multiple use mandate. He has lived and worked in Oregon ecosystems as a fish biologist, fish and wildlife technician, firefighter and educator for 20 years.

This is the first event in our new Alsea Basin series. Keep an eye out for more chances to learn about restoration throughout 2024.

Please note: This event is at the Alsea Community Library

Join MidCoast Watersheds Council for an informative talk by Derek Wilson, a seasoned Habitat Conservation Biologist at ODFW, as he discusses the European Green Crab invasion along the coastlines of Oregon. European green crab (EGC) are a non-native species that has rapidly colonized temperate coastlines at several locations around the world. Commonly known as the "green crab," they have swiftly become an aggressive invader with potential to disrupt native shellfish communities, including crabs, clams, and oysters.

Beginning with the historical context of EGC colonization, Wilson will take you on a journey from their initial establishment in San Francisco Bay before 1989 to their widespread presence along the west coast between 1996 and 1999. In recent years, the population dynamics of EGC have undergone significant changes, with a surge in numbers attributed to shifting ocean conditions and elevated seawater temperatures during the marine heatwave from 2015 to 2021.

Learn about the presence of European green crab in Yaquina Bay, one of many bays in Oregon where populations have now become established. Monitoring efforts in Yaquina Bay have continued since April 2022 to identify the environmental variables and species interactions that influence the distribution and behavior of this non-native species. Efforts are also underway to generate a risk assessment and management plan for EGC in Oregon. Mark your calendars for an evening of discovery and education!

Derek Wilson has 20 years of fish and wildlife resource management experience with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, all based in Newport. He was a Fisheries Biologist for 13 years where he assisted with the management of the freshwater fisheries by conducting specific research and monitoring projects to fill informational gaps and planning and implementing various restoration projects across the management district. The last seven years Wilson has been the Habitat Conservation Biologist with a focus on estuary health, resilience and restoration.

Our volunteer day this Friday 3.22.24 is an onsite planting at Bummer Creek from 9-1. We will be planting some grasses and pollinator flowers in an oak prairie area. There is a chance of rain out there so the field may be muddy, muck boots are recommended.

People are free to meet us on location, please park by the old fire truck and we will shuttle folks to the planting site across the field.

Parking at Bummer Creek

If Carpooling: Please arrive at Ray's in Waldport at 8 am to prepare to carpool to Alsea. Please email natalie@midcoastwc.org to rsvp if you are carpooling.

Ray’s in Walport

Our volunteer day Friday 1.8.24 is a spring cleanup at the nursery from 9-1. We will be weeding, culling plants, bundling willow, and doing general maintenance.

We may luck out with a rain free day but muck boots and rain gear are always encouraged!

Gate Location - where to turn for the nursery (google map link)

Conservation Nursery Location (google map link)

Please push open the gate (it will be unlocked), close it behind you, and drive all the way down the dirt road until you get to the nursery.