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Public Access

Balancing ecological, cultural, and recreational values

Our commitment to good land stewardship is at the core of our mission. We seek to balance the biological needs of the land with the interest of the community, always holding true to our core mission: to serve as a resource for Northwestern Oregon coastal communities and landowners to conserve and protect land in perpetuity for its ecological and cultural values.

There are many reasons we might conserve and steward a reserve. It might host salmon-bearing stream or be pristine habitat for rare, endemic plant species. It might contain the drinking-water source for a local community. It might be the home of old-growth forest.

However, we know recreation is also important for human health and well-being, and we all want to be more intimately connected with the lands and waters that hold and sustain us. We invite you to strengthen your relationship to the Oregon Coast at these places:

NCLC Public Access Policies

Each of our habitat reserves on the Oregon Coast has a specific designation in terms of public access. You can find these listed on the property page for each one, accessible from the Conserved Places map.

Here is what each designation means:

Public

For properties listed as open to the public, we ask that you respect the specific guidelines listed on individual property pages. These include Circle Creek Conservation Center and Boneyard Ridge.

Access by Kayak and Canoe

Properties such as Blind Slough Swamp, John Day River Marsh, and Fishers Point can be accessed by kayak or canoe without prior arrangement with NCLC. We ask that you limit your exploration of the property to what can be experienced from your kayak or canoe, please do not walk around on the property.

Guided Only

These properties are open to the public as part of an NCLC sponsored event, such as our hands-on stewardship work parties and Together in Nature outings. Some properties are available for use by schools for educational programs and for other research programs by prior arrangement. Contact the NCLC office for more information.