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

Jordan Cove Denied Key Dredging Permits

Coos Bay estuary, with site of proposed LNG terminal in the cove at center-left.\Photo by Rena Olson, with support from Lighthawk. Oregon’s Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) handed two major victories on May 4 to Oregon Shores and other opponents of the proposed Jordan Cove LNG terminal, which Canadian multinational Pembina is seeking to build on Coos Bay’s...Read more
Tidepool life at Indian Point.\Photo by Ingrid Lam.

Student Essay Explores Kelp and Climate

Tidepool life at Indian Point.\Photo by Ingrid Lam. Last November, our CoastWatch program sponsored a talk by Steve Rumrill of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), who discussed the importance of protecting rocky coastal habitats in light of the decline of species such as kelp, abalone, and sea stars. His talk was entitled “Calamity in the Kelp:...Read more
Purple urchins.\Photo by Alex Derr.

Climate Vulnerability Assessment Proposed for Fisheries

Purple urchins.\Photo by Alex Derr. Oregon Shores sponsored an online talk on Sept. 8 by Mark Carr on “Preparing for a Changing Ocean.” The presentation was part of a series of talks by experts from around the country that we have sponsored during our 50 th anniversary year, as we look ahead to the next 50 years of coastal conservation. Dr. Carr’s talk prompted...Read more

Comment on Whale Entanglement

Gray whale at Depoe Bay.\Photo by Rena Olson. Whale entanglement in fishing gear is a global problem. It is a problem off the U.S. West Coast, including Oregon. Fishery gear entanglement is a direct human cause of harm and mortality to cetaceans. Oregon Dungeness crab fishing gear has been found to be a major source of entanglements. Most such entanglements go...Read more

Speak Out on Forest Plans and Water Quality

Clearcut in the Siuslaw River watershed.\Photo by Rena Olson, with support from Lighthawk. The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) is accepting comments about both its Forest Management Plan (FMP) and its Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). Our colleagues with the North Coast Communities for Watershed Protection are asking for the public’s help in calling for...Read more

South Coast Colleagues Seek a Treasurer

Bandon shoreline.\Photo by Steve Garrett. Bandon’s Shoreline Education for Awareness (SEA), a group with which CoastWatch collaborates (and has adopted a CoastWatch mile), is seeking a volunteer who shares their conservation commitment to serve as treasurer on their board. Responsibilities include establishing the yearly budget, supervision of the bookkeeper to...Read more

Join Volunteer Coordinator for a Beachwalk

Jesse Jones (center) meets with members of Shoreline Education for Awareness, which has adopted Mile 101, on an earlier visit.\Photo by Steve Garrett. CoastWatch Volunteer Coordinator Jesse Jones is about to tour the coast, with the goal meeting with CoastWatchers (and those interested in CoastWatch) at various locations. She will lead beachwalks on numerous...Read more

Oregon Shores Anniversary Year Auction Underway

In celebration of our 50 th anniversary, and to help support our conservation work this year and in years to come, we have launched a special auction. Take a look at bwc.io/OregonShores . We’ve been assembling a cornucopeia of items for bid: Tours and guided hikes, lodging, art, books, and a great deal more—even an electric bike! You will find much to...Read more

50th Anniversary Celebration Is Today!

Neptune Beach.\Photo by Rena Olson. While we’ve been celebrating our 50 th anniversary all year, the actual anniversary date—the Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition was officially founded on July 29, 1971—is now approaching fast. Over the course of the day on Thursday, July 29, 2021, we will offer place-based and online events and lectures, honor outstanding...Read more

Oregon Shores Launches Eelgrass Project

Eelgrass bed meets mudflat in Coos Bay.\Photo by Mike Graybill. We work to protect a wide range of coastal habitats, from watersheds to offshore reefs. But no resource we work on is more important than the state’s estuaries. A critical component of estuarine ecosystems is eelgrass. Oregon Shores is committed to preserving the remaining eelgrass habitat in our...Read more