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Restoring a Wetland Reserve in Seaside

Building on the success of a pilot project in 2024 and strong support from numerous community partners, North Coast Land Conservancy is expanding its restoration efforts at Shangrila Wetland Habitat Reserve, an ecologically rich wetland preserve that is located in the heart of the City of the Seaside.

Shangrila Wetland lies near the top of the Necanicum estuary and encompasses 71 acres of land with high conservation value, including intertidal salt marsh, tidally influenced freshwater wetlands, freshwater marsh, mature Sitka spruce, and upland forest. The property includes 0.5 miles of Shangrila Creek and is home to a great diversity of wildlife, including Coho salmon, elk, red-legged frogs, rufous hummingbirds, willow flycatchers, great blue herons and bald eagles.

Shangrila Wetland Habitat Reserve lies near the top of the Necanicum Estuary. Its intertidal salt marsh, tidally influenced freshwater wetlands, freshwater marsh, and mature Sitka-spruce forest are home to a variety of wildlife.

However, since the COVID-19 pandemic, the reserve—located by the city’s recycling center and designated overnight camping area—has faced an increase in human impact. In particular, about 11 acres have suffered ecological degradation from unpermitted human use.

“It’s an amazing place, and it’s very challenging what’s happening, because there are some real issues in our community at every level,” NCLC Stewardship Director Melissa Reich says, referencing the housing crisis that has led to unprecedented levels of houselessness in the city and state. “We’re committed to healing the land in a way that’s sensitive to how complicated the impacts are.”

A Long-term Restoration Plan

Last spring, NCLC launched a pilot restoration project on a small portion of the site. It involved cleaning up trash and debris; installing temporary fencing; and planting native shrubs, sedges, and forbs, which have experienced the most detrimental impact.

Taking into consideration the success of that project, the stewardship team started developing plans for additional restoration at this culturally and ecologically significant reserve. With support and funding from the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, it will encompass an additional 10 acres. 

“We’re working with our neighbors and the City of Seaside to move forward with a cleanup, planting, and more permanent fencing in the late winter and early spring of 2025,” Melissa says.

The good news is the reserve already contains diverse plant communities, a healthy seed bank, and little pressure from invasive species.

“As soon as we remove the pressure on the land and the things that have been dumped there, it will come back on its own and heal itself,” Melissa says. “It just needs time to do that.”

The project also benefits from the support of community partners, including Clatsop Community Action and the Siletz, Grand Ronde, and Chinook tribes. In 2024, NCLC also received a CommuniCare grant from the Seaside High School Key Club—in connection with the Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation—to contribute to the project, indicating passion and investment from the youth of Seaside.

“They identified that this project was one of the most important for their community,” Melissa says.

As soon as we remove the pressure on the land and the things that have been dumped there, it will come back on its own and heal itself. It just needs time to do that.

NCLC Stewardship Director Melissa Reich

Additionally, there has been progress in the past couple of years to collaboratively address houselessness in Clatsop County and expand temporary housing and resources.

For such a complex restoration project, particularly from a social standpoint, the goal has been taking “micro-baby steps” for many years to build relationships, refine direction, and secure funding and support.

“It’s come to a place now where you can see those micro-baby steps have made a difference,” Melissa says.

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