In the News

February 2024 –

New Hampshire Public Radio recently released a podcast on the Oregon Dunes and why the dunes were disappearing. There are several informative links to the Dunes story as well. Our thanks to Justine Paradis of NHPR for producing this story and to Dina Pavlis, Patty Whereat Phillips, and Jesse Beers who are featured in the podcast.

The dunes that inspired ‘Dune’ are disappearing. | New Hampshire Public Radio (nhpr.org)

January 2024 –

Siuslaw National Forest to restore 50 acres of western snowy plover habitat

Contact(s): Joanie Schmidgall

The Siuslaw National Forest initiated its largest western snowy plover habitat restoration project to date by removing vegetation along the beach between the Siltcoos River and the Oregon Dunes Day Use Area. The project, located 8 miles south of Florence, Ore., will create approximately 50 acres of open sand habitat. Plovers currently have little to no nesting area within this reach due to thick non-native vegetation. Once completed, the restoration is expected to benefit a suite of other native plant and wildlife species, in addition to the threatened western snowy plover.

“For the first time in 60 years plovers will have continuous breeding habitat in the Siltcoos River area,” said Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area Wildlife Biologist Cindy Burns. “Over the last 25 years we’ve restored small pockets of habitat, which helped revive the plover population. Presently, the plovers have outgrown these microhabitats and it’s time to give them more room to thrive. We’ve already seen the plovers running around the construction site; they are ready to move in.”

Overtime, invasive European beachgrass altered the formation of the sand dunes along the Oregon Coast, changing the landscape and reducing its usefulness for species like the plover. After its introduction, the invasive grass stabilized shifting sand, facilitating the development of thick pockets of vegetation and steep, cliffy foredunes. This change reduced the habitat’s suitability for the western snowy plover, which rely on large expanses of dry sand near the tideline to nest, feed, and protect their young.

The first phase of the restoration will create about 25 acres of open sand habitat and is expected to be completed in February 2024, before nesting season begins mid-March. After plover nesting season ends mid-September, the project will continue through winter 2025. The main goals are:
1. Connect the Siltcoos and Oregon Dunes Day Use western snowy plover nesting areas.
2. Remove invasive beach grass.
3. Reduce the artificial foredune height to a shallower, more accessible slope. (This allows plover chicks to reach the tideline when they’re ready to forage on their own.)
4. Maintain beach access for visitors.

Recreation areas neighboring the project site, such as the Oregon Dunes Day Use Area and the surrounding trailheads, will remain open to the public. Waxmyrtle Campground and Carter Lake Campground will reopen in May, as usual. Within the project area, heavy equipment such as dozers and excavators will be rearranging the landscape. Visitors should use caution and stay on designated trails. For more information about the western snowy plover, visit https://t.ly/-7Zs7. For photos of the restoration work, go to Save the Oregon Dunes or the Siuslaw National Forest Facebook sites.

March 2023 –

The Oregon Dunes Restoration Collaborative (ODRC) is encouraging our volunteers to take advantage of a great opportunity to learn about the dunes and join with volunteers from the Siuslaw Watershed Council, the University of Oregon and other organizations. The tour and work will occur at the Oregon Dunes Day Use Area, which is located on the west side of Highway 101 near mile marker 201. The site is approximately 11 miles south of Florence, a right turn off Highway 101 just beyond the 201 mile marker; The event is free and open to the public.  There may be free parking for attendees, but be prepared with a NW Forest Pass, Golden Age Pass or Oregon Coast Pass (or $5/vehicle) if we are unable to obtain parking passes. We will update this information as additional details are available. To learn more please visit the Siuslaw Watershed Council website.

 February 2023 –

The Oregon Dunes Restoration Collaborative (ODRC) is encouraging our volunteers to take advantage of a great opportunity to learn about the dunes and join with volunteers from the Siuslaw Watershed Council, the University of Oregon and other organizations. The tour and work will occur at the Oregon Dunes Day Use Area, which is located on the west side of Highway 101 near mile marker 201. The site is approximately 11 miles south of Florence, a right turn off Highway 101 just beyond the 201 mile marker; The event is free and open to the public.  There may be free parking for attendees, but be prepared with a NW Forest Pass, Golden Age Pass or Oregon Coast Pass (or $5/vehicle) if we are unable to obtain parking passes. We will update this information as additional details are available. To learn more please visit the Siuslaw Watershed Council website.

December 2021

1.) The ODRC has worked through the University of Oregon’s RARE program to staff our work program over the past three years. The ODRC was unable to participate in the RARE program this year, however we were able to secure funds through the Forest Service that will allow us to hire a coordinator. We encourage you to share this information with anyone you feel might be a good fit for the position.  Maybe that’s you?  The position will be formally hired through the ODRC’s fiscal sponsor Cascade Pacific RC&D and will remain open until filled.  Questions about the position may be directed to Andy@EugeneCascadesCoast.org. View the full position description here: programs coordinator position description

December 2020

1.) ODRC Quarterly meeting on December 17th, 2020 via Zoom.

2. ODRC Staff is requesting feedback on our draft strategic and implementation planning documents. Please send all feedback and comments to Outreach Coordinator, Brian Saunders, at Brian@eugenecascadescoast.org and Fundraising Chair, Jeff Uebel, at Juebel22@gmail.com no later than January 31st, 2021. Thank you!

April 2020

1.) May 1st quarterly meeting in Florence has been postponed.

March 2020

1.) On March 3rd and 4th, Regional Forester Glenn Casamassa visited the Oregon Dunes with Forest Service officials, ODRC staff, OHV riders, and more. These two days were a great opportunity to show off what is so special about the dunes and why we work so hard to preserve them. Additionally, there were conversations about areas of the dunes that have already been impacted, and the long term consequences if dune restoration doesn’t happen soon. The hope for the ODRC, OHV riders, and dune lovers all around is that dune restoration can become one of the top regional project priorities.

Many thanks to Sand Dunes Frontier for taking the group out!

2.) The ODRC had our first volunteer work party on March 7th since our short Winter break in 2019/2020. Due to COVID-19, all work parties for April and May have been suspended.

For updates and news from Oregon State Parks regarding closures, click here.

February 2020

1.) On February 1st, ODRC members Brian Saunders and Marty Stein gave a presentation to the Oregon Master Naturalist Program at the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge.

2.) On February 29th, ODRC staff attended the Siuslaw Education Expo at Siuslaw High School. From 10am-2pm the library, gymnasium, and court yard were filled with tables from 96 different organizations!

3.) The ODRC partnered up with a team of graduate students at the University of Oregon to assist us in completing a strategic plan. The graduate students are enrolled in the school of Planning, Public Policy & Management (PPPM) and are a part of Bob Choquette’s PPPM 426/526 Strategic Planning Course this coming Spring.

January 2020

1.) On January 24th, the Siuslaw National Forest released their final Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Oregon Dunes Restoration Project.

You can also view the map(s) of all the treatment areas here.

2.) ODRC attended Part 2 of the National Geographic Live events at the Hult Center in 2019/2020. This time around, extreme cave diver Kenny Broad led the show!

3.) On January 31st, we had our quarterly meeting at the Community Baptist Church in Florence. Read the meeting minutes.

4.) Andy Vobora, Chair of Education & Outreach had an interview with KXCR in January as part of their Community Conversation series. Listen here.

December 2019

1.) The ODRC released our short film, “Saving the Oregon Dunes.” This film was made possible by a donation from The Childs-Whitney Trust. Filmed and produced by Spring Fed Media, this 7-minute video dives deep into the history of the Oregon Dunes, the origins of the collaborative, and our restoration efforts for years to come.

The Beach Connection wrote an article on the release of our film. Read about it here.

2.) ODRC volunteers are taking a well-deserved break from work parties for the holidays. There were 31 different work parties removing Scotch broom and gorse in calendar year 2019 at 8 different locations on the Siuslaw National Forest plus Honeyman State Park and Siuslaw High School.

November 2019

1.) On November 2nd, ODRC staff gave a presentation on the Oregon Dunes at the Cape Perpetua Visitor Center. This presentation was one of the many presentations given during Cape Perpetua’s Fall Speaker Series in 2019.

2.) On November 15th, KMTR News covered a story on the ODRC and our upcoming restoration efforts at the Sand Tracks Picnic Area in the Coos Bay/North Bend Area. Watch the story here.

3.) ODRC tabled the first of three National Geographic Live events at the Hult Center in 2019/2020. The first show on November 24th kicked off with Social By Nature, presented by biologist-turned-photographer, Ronan Donovan.

4.) The Wild & Scenic Rivers Act, passed in 1968, preserves the character of rivers and streams designated in this federal system. Protection under the act ensures the free-flowing nature of designated streams, and protects a corridor that ensures the important values of the streams are not degraded. (More about the Wild & Scenic Rivers Act)

Senator Ron Wyden has long been a champion of wild rivers and lands in Oregon. He is currently inviting all Oregonians to nominate new Wild and Scenic Rivers for legislation he plans to introduce next year. In the Oregon Dunes, there are several streams that have significant natural values and are eligible for nomination. From north to south these are Lily and Berry Creeks, Sutton Creek, the Siltcoos River, Takenitch Creek, Threemile Creek, and Tenmile Creek. Importantly for the work of the ODRC, Wild & Scenic River designation would not prevent restoration work so long as it didn’t negatively impact the outstandingly remarkable values the stream is designated for.

If anyone is interested, nominations can be sent to rivers@wyden.senate.gov by January 20, 2020. Include your name and address, what stream or streams you think deserve protection, and a few sentences on why you think it deserves protection (fish or wildlife, recreation, scenery, water quality, etc).

September/October 2019

1.) With funding from The Collins Foundation and Lane County Community & Economic Development, the ODRC was able to hire another intern through the University of Oregon’s RARE Program. Brian Saunders will be serving as the Oregon Dunes Restoration Collaborative’s Communications & Outreach Coordinator through July and will work on various projects such as facilitating the development of a 3-5 year strategic plan, coordinating events, maintaining ODRC social media platforms and much more.

2.) In late August, two ODRC members accompanied Congressman Peter DeFazio and two of his aides on a sand-dune buggy ride, provided by Chuck Chapman of Sand Dunes Frontier. It was a great opportunity to talk about dune restoration and long-term funding efforts for Oregon’s beloved coastal sand dunes. Additionally, it was Congressman DeFazio’s first time on a sand rail ride!

3.) The ODRC will prepare for their quarterly meeting in Florence on October 31st at the Community Baptist Church.

4.) There is a fundraising opportunity through National Geographic’s Live Speaker Series at the Hult Center in November, January and March. The ODRC has the opportunity to earn $5 for every ticket we facilitate selling using the coupon code “ODRC” at check out!

June 2019

Upcoming public meetings of interest:

1.)  Douglas County Commissioners will be holding a public meeting to discuss allowing OHVs on roadways in Winchester Bay.  Monday, June 17, 2019, from 5:30 to 7:00pm at the Marina Activity Center (MAC) at Winchester Bay RV Resort.  For more information, contact Heidi Gallego, heidi@co.douglas.or.us

2.)  Lane County Parks will be holding a public meeting to discuss leasing the North Jetty Park in Florence from the Oregon Department of State Lands.  Monday, June 24, 2019 at 6:00 pm at the Siuslaw Valley Fire Station, 2625 Highway 101.  For more information, contact Charlie Conrad, charles.conrad@co.lane.or.us

UPDATES June 2019:

1.)  After feedback at the public meeting regarding OHVs in Winchester Bay, Douglas County Commissioners decided to abandon their plans to allow OHVs to drive on county roads.  Read more about the decision in the Roseburg News-Review.

2.)  Lane County Parks has signed a 1 year lease to take over maintenance at the North Jetty Park from the Department of State Lands.  Over the next year, LCP hopes to learn more about how the public is currently using the park, what improvements need to be made, what amenities the public may want to see created, and any other concerns.  After 1 year, the Lane County Commissioners will decide whether or not to take control of the park long term.

Public input is currently being collected on North Jetty Park.

May 2019

Get ready for June events!  Educational presentations and volunteer events happening soon in Coos County.  Read about them in the Coos Bay World.

Tourism spending in Lane County passed the $1 Billion mark in 2018.  Read about how the Dunes are a large part of the region’s tourism draw in this interview with KLCC.

Research from Oregon State University and the U.S. Forest Service studies the scat of the Humboldt marten to learn where the marten are living and what they eat in the dunes.  Via the Eugene Register-Guard

Read more about the Humboldt marten and how its status affects proposed dunes restoration work in this piece from the Eugene Weekly.

April 2019

Read coverage of our Earth Day event at John Dellenback Dunes via the Coos Bay World.

We’re featured in Coast Explorer magazine!

See listing for our upcoming Earth Day volunteer events in the Siuslaw News.

The South Coast Shopper covered our Science Pub Talk in Coos Bay, and upcoming volunteer opportunities.

March 2019

ODRC and our work to save the dunes were mentioned in the Tillamook Headlight Herald.

February 2019

The ODRC’s publication “Saving Oregon’s Dunes: The Bid to Save a National Treasure” was honored with the Publication of the Year award from the Public Lands Alliance at their 2019 Convention and Trade Show in Denver.  Read more about all of the awards here.

January 2019

The National Forest Foundation published a blog about the plant and animal life found in the Oregon dunes.  Click here to read it.

December 2018

ODRC gave a presentation to the Coos County Board of Commissioners, which was covered in The World newspaper.  Read the full story here.

October 2018

Our Volunteer working group has compiled all of the hours contributed to Save the Oregon Dunes during Fiscal Year 2018.  Read the full report here.

September 2018

The Eugene Weekly ran a cover story on the Oregon Dunes Restoration Collaborative.  Read the full article here.

The Oregonian did a wonderful story about the variety of nature found in the dunes for Oregonlive.com.  Read the full article at this link.

August 2018

Jared Anderson with the “Siuslaw News” (Florence, OR newspaper) came out to Heceta Dunes on August 18. He joined the Oregon Dunes Restoration Collaborative work party for a few hours and helped remove scotch broom. The next week he published an article on the day. Here is the link.

Corvallis, OR, August 13, 2018

New Citizen Science Effort to Map Invasive Species on the Siuslaw National Forest

The Siuslaw National Forest is expanding citizen science volunteer opportunities with a new pilot program called Wild Spotter. The Wild Spotter program provides tools the public, local communities, states, tribes, and many other groups can use to help locate, quantify, map, and report invasive species infestations in a simple and effective manner, while raising public awareness about invasive species and promoting collaborations across the landscape.

Through a collaboration with over 20 partners, University of Georgia – Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health and Wildlife Forever are working with 12 pilot National Forests and Grasslands across the United States, including the Siuslaw National Forest, to gather important data on invasive species and how they are impacting wilderness areas, wild and scenic rivers, and other natural areas.
By downloading the free Wild Spotter Mobile App on your iPhone, iPad or Android device you can identify, map, and report invasive species found in your favorite wild places. Once a Wild Spotter volunteer identifies and reports a species, the data is verified by experts and then made publically available through a networked invasive species inventory database hosted by the University of Georgia. The database will be the first nationwide inventory of invasive species in America’s natural areas.

“We are happy to be part of the Wild Spotter program and to offer the public a way to enjoy their national forest while helping us gather information on the locations of invasive species,” said Forest Supervisor Angela Elam. “Invasive plants, pathogens, and animals can threaten recreational activities, productivity, and ecosystem health. This tool will help the forest to implement better strategies for prevention, control, and eradication.”

If you want to become a Wild Spotter or learn more about the program, visit the website www.wildspotter.org

June 2018

The ODRC work was featured in the Oregon Coast Visitors Association June-July e-newsletter.  Here is a link.

 May 2018  – Coos Watershed Association Education and Outreach Coordinator, Alexa Carleton, partnered with the Coos History Museum to install native landscaping that mimics the different plant communities of the coastal dunes– complete with interpretive signs that provides a walking tour through the parking lot of the different systems. Contact Alexa (acarleton@cooswatershed.org) for more information.

February  2018

“For the dunes to exist, the sand needs to move” – great article in the Siuslaw News covering the work of the ODRC.

ODRC Members were interviewed on Jefferson Public Radio / Southern Oregon NPR.  Listen to the conversation here.