Citizen Science Articles

Volunteers conducting sea star observations.

Citizen Scientists Help Track Sea Star Populations

Volunteers conducting sea star observations.\Photo by Fawn Custer. Sea stars are keystone species in intertidal ecosystems. Through their predation, they structure rocky shoreline habitats. Monitoring the status of sea star populations is therefore important in understanding the health of intertidal communities—and all the more essential in the wake of the “sea...Read more

CoastWatchers Assist in Beachgrass Mapping

Comparison of beachgrass species including new hybrid. CoastWatch volunteers are helping researchers at Oregon State University map the range of the new hybrid, the offspring of two invasive beachgrass species. You can help map hybrid beachgrass on the Oregon coast...Read more
King tide on Nehalem spit.

King Tides Project Surges Again

King tide assaults the Hwy 101 seawall at Waldport.\Photo by Roy Lowe. The Oregon King Tides Project is now in its 13th year. We've already experienced the first of the three high-tide sequences that will be the focus for the 2022-2023 edition of the project on Nov. 24-26/ The remaining two sets of extreme high tides are coming Dec. 22-24 and Jan. 20-22, 2023...Read more
Image of CoastWatch iNaturalist Challenge banner over photo of sea anemones.

CoastWatch Fall Challenge

CoastWatch is inaugurating a new, special project this autumn, the CoastWatch Fall iNaturalist Challenge, which will take place Sept. 23-Oct. 3. (Note--this event has been extended by one day, through 11:50 p.m. Oct. 3.) The ten-day challenge, which anyone (not just CoastWatchers) can join, is in effect a coastwide bioblitz, during which CoastWatch mile adopters and others are invited to observe...Read more
NAME Award.

Oregon Shores Honored by NAME

NAME Award. At this year’s Northwest Aquatic and Marine Educators (NAME) conference, held in Netarts, the Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition was given the outstanding organization award for leadership in marine and aquatic education. CoastWatch Volunteer Coordinator Jesse Jones accepted the award at the closing ceremony of the conference. Oregon Shores and...Read more
CoastWatcher at Nedonna Beach.

Orientations Provide Introduction to CoastWatch

If you are thinking about adopting a mile of the Oregon coast through CoastWatch, or if you are a new CoastWatch volunteer or a veteran mile adopter needing a refresher course, consider joining a CoastWatch orientation. These field experiences are designed to introduce the program and sharpen observational skills. Orientation sessions will be held a number of times times this summer and fall, in...Read more
CoastWatch training on rocky shore habitats.\Photo by Daniel Anderson.

CoastWatch Webinars Available on YouTube

CoastWatch training on rocky shore habitats.\Photo by Daniel Anderson. With the onset of pandemic restrictions, CoastWatch pivoted toward working online to maintain volunteer training and public education and to keep the mile adopter community connected. This required some re-orientation for a program that has always relied on community events and beachwalks,...Read more

CoastWatchers Aid in Beachgrass Search

Comparison of beachgrass species including new hybrid. The search continues for the new hybrid beachgrass that may be spreading on the Oregon coast. CoastWatch volunteers are helping researchers at Oregon State University map the range of the new hybrid, the offspring of two invasive beachgrass species. To sharpen the observational skills of volunteers, an...Read more

CoastWatch Joins Hunt for Hybrid Beachgrass

Rebecca Mostow in the field. Much of the terrain of the Oregon's sandy shoreline we see today has been shaped by two dominant, invasive beachgrass species. They build the tall, stable dunes that parallel sandy beaches, providing some protection for infrastructure but causing the decline of native animal and plant species. A team from Oregon State University...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