In 1997, landowners arranged an easement on their property above the Nehalem River to permanently protect its temperate rainforest habitat. The western hemlock, western redcedar, and Sitka spruce here may now grow to maturity. Wildlife ranging from elk and eagles to red-legged frogs are free to roam.
Nehalem Bend falls within the description of Coastal Temperate Rainforest of the Pacific Northwest. The conifer element is dominated by Western hemlock and also include Western Red cedar, and Sitka spruce. Red alder covers much of the north end of the site. Wildlife includes elk, black-tailed deer, chipmunk, bald eagles, red tailed hawk and red-legged frogs.