Chainsaws, loppers, hand saws, possibly a few well-placed curses- take the tool of your choosing and get out there to bust some broom where ever you are this week (and every week until it’s gone!)

There are two opportunities to join NCLC in Broom Busting efforts if you like to do your invasive plant removal in good company:

Gearhart Homeowners Association
Friday, May 18^th  10 am
We’ll be joining our friends in Gearhart to help them get rid of some impressive old-growth Scotch broom that has been gaining a hold in this great little community.  Please meet at the Gearhart City Hall off of Pacific Way at 10 am if you can join us!  NCLC will be bringing some tools with us, but if you have your own loppers or hand saws, please bring them, along with a sturdy pair of gloves.

Saturday Morning Stewardship
May 19^th 9 am to noon

We’ll celebrate the grand finale of Broom Buster Week at NCLC’s Surf Pines Prarie Easement next to the south entrance of Surf Pines. Please meet at the small parking lot at the south entrance to the Surf Pines neighborhood. Turn left off Hwy 101 onto Surf Pines Road and follow it until it ends at the gate.  Bring gloves, water, and rain gear (if necessary) and wear sturdy boots.  NCLC will supply tools for this project.  We will not have access to public restrooms.  Work will continue in the afternoon with the Tongue Point Job Corps youth crew, so if you want to make a day of it bring a lunch and stay!

For more information about Broom Buster week or any of the stewardship programs at NCLC, please call NCLC Stewardship Director Celeste Coulter at 503-738-9126 or e-mail celestec@nclctrust.org.

It’s Broom Buster Week! is a post from: North Coast Land Conservancy

North Coast Land Conservancy has been thrilled to play a small part in the great Seaside Osprey Nest Story of 2012.

It all began years ago when a pair of osprey made a nest on top of a light pole next to Broadway Park in Seaside.

They didn’t seem to mind the activity below: athletic events, people playing in the park, cars coming and going.  Each spring they arrived back from their winter away much like any North Coast second homeowner, tidied up a bit and set about laying eggs and hatching out a new generation.

Last year the City of Seaside completed a major re-design of Broadway park. Once the osprey had left on their winter migration southward, the removal of the light pole on top of which was perched the years-old osprey nest could take place.  Under careful supervision from Oregon Fish and Wildlife, the nest was cut away from the lightpole and transported to the Big Barn at NCLC’s Circle Creek Habiat Reserve to wait until it could be placed in a new location.

While a new ospery designated pole was being constructed at the park, NCLC volunteer Neal Maine oversaw the construction of a sturdy platform to place the nest on.

NCLC staff were enlisted one day to come help carefully transfer the nest to the new platform and work to secure the nest on with zip ties so that it wouldn’t blow off in a strong wind, weaving the ties through complicated interlocking branches and bracken. (We never quite know what job awaits us when we arrive for work at NCLC each day…)

Finally, the new pole was completed, and the platform with nest secured to it was lowered into place.  Then began the waiting game- would the ospreys come back, and even if they did, what would they think about the moving of their nest to a new location? And what would they think about our zip tie home repair?

A massive group sigh of relief was exhaled around the Seaside area when the birds not only returned, but moved back into their nest in it’s new location with hardly a quibble.

They did do some re-decorating though, bringing in new branches and cleaning the place up a bit, expanding the nest to fill the sturdy new platform.

 Now all eyes are waiting to see if eggs are laid and the new osprey nest location truly becomes a home for them.  We’re looking forward to the installation of an Osprey Cam- a project of our friends over at the Necanicum Watershed Council.  They raised $1000 towards the purchase of this specialized camera equipment at  2012′s Necanicum Bird Discovery Day.

Hopefully soon we’ll all be watching the osprey story unfold on our computer screens-now that’s going to be some good Reality TV!

Home Improvement is a post from: North Coast Land Conservancy

Whale Cove near Depoe Bay

I’ve spent over a year now in my role as Conservation Director for NCLC, and I continue to work on projects that evade completion, projects that were started years ago by NCLC founder, Neal Maine.  Sometimes it is way too easy to get swept into thinking about just how difficult and trying land acquisition can be.

There are two projects that highlight the struggles of this work work for me: Sand Lake and Whale Cove.  Each project has a different role for NCLC to play as we continue to facilitate the conservation process and work diligently to preserve these truly special places on the Oregon coast.

Recently I had a chance to lead tours to both Sand Lake and Whale Cove for members of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department and the Nestucca, Neskowin and Sand Lake Watershed Councils.

At Whale Cove looking west- an amazing view!

Once I was actually walking out on the land, all disappointment and frustration associated with the slow progress of the process seemed to dissapate, and I was reminded of John Muir’s observation, “In every walk with nature one receives far more then he seeks.”

Panorama view of the Sand Lake estuary

Standing at the edge of the Sand Lake estuary, I understood why all of us-NCLC staff, supporters and volunteers alike- all feel so dedicated to protect these special places. I know that future generations will look back and thank all of you for your tremendous vision in helping us to conserve places like this.

You can be assured that NCLC will continue to work on your behalf to protect Sand Lake and Whale Cove, and all the amazing places like them, with enthusiasm and vigor. What if we sometimes get sidetracked and frustrated? I know now that we can also get re-energized.  Just take a walk outside and experience the truly beautiful and amazing place many of us call home – The Oregon Coast.

It's hard to see them looking down at Whale Cove from this viewpoint, but the noise of barking seals hauled out on the rocks was incredibly loud!

When Frustrated: Get Outside! is a post from: North Coast Land Conservancy

As always, our Earth Day celebration started in the Circle Creek Grove with our special ceremony, The Forest Remembers.

Each year we gather together and read aloud the names of all of the people who have ever had a memorial donation made to NCLC in their name.

This year we were honored to be joined by Patte Fenderson and Bob Svec, who were there to celebrate the memory of their son Matthew Guderian.

Matthew’s family is helping NCLC to realize a longstanding vision of a series of trails at Circle Creek that will provide walking access to some of the most beautiful parts of this property to community members and coastal visitors alike. We can think of no better way to honor this inspirational young man than to work in his name to connect generations of people to the emerging coastal rainforest at Circle Creek.  Patte and Bob, thanks for coming all the way from Texas to help us plant trees for the day!

The Circle Creek Trails are a big first step towards the larger vision we have for a Conservation Center at Circle Creek- you’ll be hearing a lot more about this vision in the months ahead, so stay tuned.

This year’ Earth Day at Circle Creek stewardhip activity focused on a project that has NCLC working in partnership with the Rotary Club of Seaside. The Grow A Forest project provide an opportunity for people to honor or commemorate a special person or event in their lives through donating to support the planting of a special forest at Circle Creek.   Stainless steel tags etched with names and messages will be mounted onto a weatherproof plaque next to the Rotary Grove.

NCLC Executive Director Katie Voelke and outreach volunteer Jeanne Henderson deliver more trees to the planting site

We had a great turnout of communtiy volunteers, including staff and members of the Necanicum Watershed Council , the Rotary Club of Seaside, and Americorps volunteers from The Nature Conservancy.

Volunteers ranged in age from 3 to over 70 years of age, reminding us all of the saying that although the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago, the second best time is today.  It is always a good day to plant a future forest!

Tom Horning, one of NCLC’s longest serving board members, confessed that in all his years of serving on the board he had never actually planted a tree at one of our stewardship days, a tragic fact that was well remedied by the end of the day!

Over 600 Western Red cedar, Sitka spruce and alder trees were planted on Earth Day at Circle Creek, with a crew coming in the week following to finish planting an additional 600 trees in the grove.

After the planting, everyone relaxed on the Circle Creek House deck and enjoyed a delicious lunch spread provided by The Campbell Group and NCLC outreach volutneers.

Thanks to everyone who helped to make this year’s Earth Day at Circle Creek another resounding success- we couldn’t do it without you!

A Great Earth Day at Circle Creek! is a post from: North Coast Land Conservancy

As always, our Earth Day celebration started in the Circle Creek Grove with our special ceremony, The Forest Remembers.

Each year we gather together and read aloud the names of all of the people who have ever had a memorial donation made to NCLC in their name.

This year we were honored to be joined by Patte Fenderson and Bob Svec, who were there to celebrate the memory of their son Matthew Guderian.

Matthew’s family are helping NCLC to realize a longstanding vision of a series of trails at Circle Creek that will provide walking access to some of the most beautiful parts of this property to community members and coastal visitors alike.  We can’t wait to get started on this exciting project later this year. We can think of no better way to honor this inspirational young man than to work in his name to connect generations of people to the emerging coastal rainforest at Circle Creek.  Patte and Bob, thanks for coming all the way from Texas to help us plant trees for the day!

The Circle Creek Trails are a big first step towards the larger vision we have for a Conservation Center at Circle Creek- you’ll be hearing a lot more about this vision in the months ahead, so stay tuned.

This year’ Earth Day at Circle Creek stewardhip activity focused on a project that has NCLC working in partnership with the Rotary Club of Seaside. The Grow A Forest project provide an opportunity for people to honor or commemorate a special person or event in their lives through donating to support the planting of a special forest at Circle Creek.   Stainless steel tags etched with names and messages will be mounted onto a weatherproof plaque next to the Rotary Grove.

NCLC Executive Director Katie Voelke and outreach volunteer Jeanne Henderson help deliver trees to the planting site.

We had a great turnout of communtiy volunteers, including staff and members of the Necanicum Watershed Council , the Rotary Club of Seaside, and Americorps volunteers from The Nature Conservancy.

Necanicum Watershed Council coordinator Melyssa Graeper demonstrates a fashionable alternative for the tree weed mats!

NCLC Stewardship committee member Michael Bunch gets some help planting a cedar tree from his grandson.

Volunteers ranged in age from 3 to over 70 years of age, reminding us all of the saying that although the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago, the second best time is today.  It is always a good day to plant a future forest!

One of NCLC’s longest serving board members, Tom Horning, confessed that in all his years of serving on the board he had never actually planted a tree at one of our stewardship days, a tragic fact that was well remidied by the end of the day!

Tom Horning finally plants a tree!

Volunteer Regina Southworth keeps the trees coming

NCLC board member Randall Henderson and his wife Jeanne celebrate after a great morning of tree planting in the sunshine

Over 600 Western Red cedar, Sitka spruce and alder trees were planted on Earth Day at Circle Creek, with a crew coming in the week following to finish planting an additional 600 trees in the grove.

After the planting, everyone relaxed on the Circle Creek House deck and enjoyed a delicious lunch spread provided by The Campbell Group and NCLC outreach volutneers.

Thanks to everyone who helped to make this year’s Earth Day at Circle Creek another resounding success- we couldn’t do it without you!

Earth Day at Circle Creek 2012 is a post from: North Coast Land Conservancy

We’re all looking forward to Thursday night’s Nature Matters program, where we’ll be “Foraging at the George” again! 

Join Coast Community Radio’s Food Talk hosts Kristin Frost Albrecht and Teresa Retzlaff for another foraging feast at the Fort George Brewery + Public House in Astoria. The Forage at the George program will feature Carla Cole, Natural Resource Manager for Lewis and Clark National Histori­cal Park and Matt Hunter, shellfish specialist with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Marine Resource Program in a conversation about what’s in season now in the North Coast landscape. Fiddlehead ferns, nettles, shellfish, salmon and more- spring is a great time to get outside and harvest some of the most flavorful wild foods of the year.

The panel will share stories, harvesting and preparation tips, and provide guidance on how to forage responsibly and safely. Taste samples of some of the recipes being discussed, and add a whole new list of ingredients to your springtime menu.

Doors will open at 6 p.m. for those wanting to purchase beverages at the George before the free public event. The program begins at 7pm  in the Fort George’s Lovell Building showroom.

Nature Matters, a monthly conversation about the intersection of nature and culture, takes place on the third Thursdays of the month. The collaborative series is hosted by Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, North Coast Land Conservancy and the North Coast Watershed Association in partnership with the Fort George.  The series delves into the many ways that human beings look to the natural world for inspiration, sustenance and survival – the intersection of nature and culture.

This will be the final program in the current Nature Matters series.  Join us again in August for further explorations of the natural world around us- have a great summer!

Foraging at the George: Spring Feast! is a post from: North Coast Land Conservancy

His frequent trips there to document wildlife result in some pretty amazing photographs, but even he was startled when a full herd of Roosevelt elk suddenly got spooked and bolted across Neacoxie Creek right in front of him.

After emerging from the creek, the elk ran through the riparian woods and out across the open  grassland, hopping the split cedar fence that marks the reseve boundary with ease.

For anyone who has ever wondered why NCLC invests in so much fencing to keep the elk away from some of our habitat restoration plantings until they can become established, these images should answer that question.  Bear in mind that the averadge weight of an adult male elk (or bull) is 875 pounds. They stand 5 feet tall at the shoulder, and are about 8-9 feet in length.  That’s a whole lot of bulk to move through the air, yet they manage to hop this 4 foot fence without any hesitation.

Neal isn’t sure what caused the elk to run crazy, nor what inspired them to head back in the exact direction that they had come from not too long after they had rushed the fence all in a hurry.  “Nature is pretty mysterious,” he observed with a smile, “and it sure is interesting to watch!”

Neal will be leading two walks at Neacoxie Forest this summer for our On The Land series, one in May and one in July.  He can’t promise dramatic displays like this every time he heads out there, but even without the Elk Steeplechase, Neacoxie Forest remains one of the hidden gems on the North Oregon Coast.

And They’re Off! is a post from: North Coast Land Conservancy

This inspiring film was highly recommended to us by NCLC Stewardship Director Celeste Coulter, who saw it at a river conference and came back saying, “You have got to see this!”

The film chronicles the inspiring life and work of pioneering Japanese ecologist Shigeru Nakano. A leader in the international effort to understand river ecosystems, Nakano’s untimely death revealed the deep impact that his creativity and curiosity had on the community of students and colleagues around him.

Follow this link to watch a preview of the film.

This will be the final Listening to the Land program in the current series.  We’ll be back again in the fall to share knowledge and inspiration about nature on the amazing North Oregon Coast.  See you then!

RiverWebs: a film about life, death, science and streams is a post from: North Coast Land Conservancy

We’re all looking forward to  Listening to the Land: Nature’s Trails  with Neal Maine tomorrow night, March 21^st , at the Seaside Public Library at 6pm. 

With photographs and stories, Neal will illustrate how wildlife and landscape influence one another, and what the patterns they make upon each other tell us about the land that surrounds us all. If you’ve ever seen any of Neal’s photography, you’ll know you’re in for a treat tomorrow night.

Listening to the Land is a monthly winter speaker series presented by North Coast Land Conservancy and the Necanicum Watershed Council.  Programs take place at the Seaside Public Library on the third Wednesday of the month at 6pm from October through April.

Listening to the Land: Nature’s Trails is a post from: North Coast Land Conservancy

Learn more about these beautiful and elusive birds and their habitat, and help provide the information needed to help them survive and thrive.

For more information about this program, or to confirm attendance, please contact Vanessa Blackstone at vanessa.blackstone@state.or.us or (503) 986-0742.

You can see the flyer for the event here:

plover_patrol

Plover Patrol! is a post from: North Coast Land Conservancy