EVENT GOALS
– Raise awareness of historical and current conservation, research and stewardship of Cape Perpetua region.
– Foster and promote a sense of place and stewardship within the community for the Cape Perpetua region.
– Promote volunteer opportunities and local organizing to support long-term management and conservation for the Cape Perpetua marine reserve.
– Create opportunities for people to collaborate on conservation activities within the Cape Perpetua region, especially those focused on the Cape Perpetua marine reserve.
2020 Event Agenda
0:00 – Housekeeping Items – We apologize the first couple of minutes got cut off. LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: The Cape Perpetua area landscape, from Yachats to Florence, is the traditional territory of the Siletz Tribe (http://www.ctsi.nsn.us/) and Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Tribe (https://ctclusi.org/) and we want to acknowledge the Tribal governments and their roles today in taking care of these lands.
4:10 – Welcoming Address: Senator Roblan & Representative Gomberg
17:15 – KEYNOTE: Calming the Mind, Michael L. Posner, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, University of Oregon
46:15 – INTERMISSION: Coast & Vine Cooking Demo, Chef Jonathan Trusty (JT)
1:04:49 – VIDEO SCREENING: Interconnections, Rose Madrone, Director & Producer at Connectivity Project (Film available through 11/22, after please contact info@connectivityproject.com to get more details on access)
1:08:19 – SHORT: Red Knots: One Shared Home, Janet Essley, Artist, Creator of Red Knots: A Cultural Cartography of a Migratory Bird’s Annual Journey
1:18:45 – SHORT: Sharks Of the Oregon Coast, Dr. Taylor K Chapple, Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station, Oregon State University
1:33:23 – PANEL: discussion w/all speakers (Mike, Rose, Janet, Taylor)
1:47:11 – SHORT FILM: Exploring the Tidepools, Cape Perpetua Marine Reserve
Partners
Project Highlight: Surfrider volunteers are working to keep Oregon’s beaches clean, monitor water quality, and protect our coastline. Contact us to learn how you can get involved!
Fact: Surfrider only has two staff in Oregon so the bulk of their work is driven by volunteers!
Contact: Bri Goodwin, Oregon Field Manager
Project Highlight: Portland Audubon’s activities range from providing a suite of community science opportunities focused on bird monitoring, public outreach and stewardship on the land-sea connection focused on our Tenmile Creek Sanctuary, facilitating conservation land acquisition and easements in the Cape Perpetua region. Click here to learn more about their Coastal Marine Conservation Program.
Fact: Portland Audubon is the oldest environmental conservation organization in Oregon – established 1902.
Contacts: Joe Liebezeit (Staff Scientist & Avian Conservation Mgr) and Paul Engelmeyer (Tenmile Creek Sanctuary Manager
Project Highlight: Visit the Oregon Marine Reserves website to keep tabs on current research, find out about reports and upcoming events, dive into interesting ocean topics, and hear perspectives from scientists, fishermen, volunteers and community members. You can also explore underwater videos on the ODFW Marine Reserves YouTube channel and find photos from researchers in action on the Oregon Marine Reserves Flickr page.
Fact: The ODFW Marine Reserves Program oversees the management and scientific monitoring of Oregon’s five marine reserve sites off our coast. ODFW is studying both the ecology and the human dimensions of the reserves. What they are learning from these living laboratories is being used to support sustainable nearshore ocean resources and resilient coastal communities here in Oregon.
Contact: Cristen Don, ODFW Marine Reserves Program Leader
Project Highlight: Most of the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area has been available to visitors and local residents including fantastic hiking. The Visitor Center has been closed to the public so that we comply with local and state Covid regulations and to protect the safety of staff and visitors. While the Visitor Center is closed we are working on updating exhibits. We are reaching out to neighboring school districts throughout the forest to provide an alternative to in person field trips.
Fact: We continue to look for ways to serve the public during these challenging times. It is important to the Forest Service and the Central Coast Ranger District to strike a balance between providing a safe environment for our staff and volunteers and providing visitor services.
Contact: Know Before You Go (weather, tides, trails, campground & road conditions)
American Cetacean Society – Oregon Chapter
Project Highlight: Whales & Marine Reserves: Education and Awareness Our project began in 2016. We document whales and their behaviors within the marine reserves while educating and surveying the public.
Fact: The American Cetacean Society is the world’s first whale conservation organization, established in 1967.
Contact: Joy Primrose, Chapter President
Project Highlight: View the Future, McKenzie River Trust and the City of Yachats have partnered in sponsoring Sam Hillman, a participant from the Resource Assistance for Rural Environments (RARE) Program, sponsored by AmeriCorps, and administered through the University of Oregon.
Sam’s projects as “Central Coast Conservation Associate,” will be twofold. First, he will be assisting the McKenzie River Trust in identifying priority lands for conservation in the central coast region as well as identifying and connecting with the regional partners and their ongoing projects. Secondly, he will be working with the City of Yachats local government and View the Future to address water insecurity in the community by assisting in water planning, organizing community conservation efforts such as collaborative management, and working to advance watershed protection.
Fact: Part of View the Future’s mission is “to preserve, protect, and enhance understanding of our cultural and historical heritage for the benefit of the Yachats community and its future generations.” Throughout the years we have researched and developed historical accounts, created documents and interpretive signage, and provided presentations for local residents and visitors to build awareness, understanding, and appreciation for our local heritage. This year we have added a section on our web site called “View the Past” to share collections of our research on our local cultural and historical heritage.
Contact: Email View the Future
Project Highlight: CoastWatch is working to increase both marine debris surveys and sea star observation surveys in areas where they aren’t currently being done. Marine debris surveys take place within 100 meters, so there are many areas near Cape Perpetua currently not covered. Sea star observation surveys can be done anywhere, year round, and whenever a volunteer wants to do one. For more information and a personalized training, please contact Jesse.
Fact: CoastWatch recruits volunteers to keep an eye on Oregon’s coast, one mile at a time, and connects volunteers with scientists and experts to train on how to contribute important data to help plan our coast’s future.
Contacts: Jesse Jones, CoastWatch Volunteer Coordinator
Project Highlight: The Yachats Trails Committee is comprised of 5 leaders who plan and coordinate the activities of approximately 100 other volunteers in ongoing efforts to maintain, develop, and promote trails in and around Yachats. Volunteers also work at removing invasive plant species on City property. Total hours volunteered exceed 2000/ year.
In addition to two work sessions each month for trail maintenance and removal of invasive, volunteers are also working to enlarge the Amanda Gathering area, add to plantings along the Prospect Trail, and to develop several map signs that will help both residents and vistors navigate our trails safely.
Fact: Yachats Trails works closely with partner organizations like Oregon Parks & Recreation District, Siuslaw National Forest, View the Future, and members of tribes in our area.
Contacts: The Yachats Trails Committee is run by a “Gang of Five“
