North Coast Watershed Event

A day-long exploration of watersheds and watershed-related issues, “Look Up!  It’s a Watershed Moment!” has been organized by North Coast Communities for Watershed Protection (NCCWP).  The event takes place at the North County Recreation District building (36155 9^th St.) in Nehalem, from noon to 9 p.m.  The event is free and open to all.

The title plays on the multiple meanings of “watershed.”  Every coastal stream or river is part of a watershed, people on the coast draw their drinking water from these watersheds, and NCCWP believes we are at a watershed moment when concern about the health of watersheds and the water quality will lead to action.

Highlights of the day’s events are a new movie by Shane Anderson (who made "Behind the Emerald Curtain"), and an important announcement by keynote speaker Ralph Bloemers of the Crag Law Center.

Starting at noon, workshops will include “Exploring Regenerative Forestry” with Peter Hayes, owner of Hyla Woods, a family-owned restoration forestry business; “Old Growth and Water,” presented by Chandra LeGue, author of "Oregon’s Ancient Forests: A Hiking Guide"; children’s watershed activities for grades 5-8; a panel including fishing guide Bob Rees that will discuss multiple factors putting fish at risk, including current forestry and farming practices and climate change; Rob Walton, formerly of NOAA, on the sustainability of wild fish; and “Fixing Oregon’s Logging Laws”,  by Jason Gonzales of Oregon Wild.

At 5 p.m., soup, bread and drinks will be provided, followed at 6 by the evening program in the NCRD Theater. Forest Fairies will flutter in to start things off with a welcome and thanks, followed immediately by the keynote address by Ralph Bloemers discussing the effects of industrial logging on watersheds, what best science says, what current laws and regulations in Oregon govern logging, and how money and politics influence forestry management practices and publicly available information.  

Bloemers is expected to make an important announcement about a statewide effort to change current forestry practices. He is an attorney with over twenty years of legal experience.  As the Senior Staff Attorney at the Crag Law Center in Portland, he has been working to protect and sustain the Pacific Northwest's natural environmental legacy by dealing with forest and water law policy, as well as through advocacy.

A brief comedy routine by Stumpy will lead into Shane Anderson’s film, “Run Wild, Run Free.”

For more information contact:  glenna@nehalemtel.net