OR Coast Conservation Areas Opportunity for 'Bottom Up' Management
Eric Tegethoff, Producer
Thursday, May 18, 2023
Locals will help steward two iconic locations on Oregon's coast.
The Cape Foulweather Complex and Cape Lookout Marine Conservation areas were approved for designation in April by the Oregon Land Conservation and Development Commission.
The Audubon Society of Lincoln City plans to recruit local residents for stewardship in 2025.
Kent Doughty, coastal conservation coordinator for the organization, said it is a unique approach to conservation.
"It's bottom up management for sites that local communities really care and love, for the community to really get a say in how a site is managed and cared for," Doughty explained.
The areas have broad support from local communities. Every resident of the neighborhood near Cape Foulweather signed a letter in support of the conservation area designation.
Both areas are known for being home to thousands of nesting seabirds. Doughty noted other, larger creatures can also be seen at Cape Foulweather.
"Amazing views. Almost any day of the year you can see whales feeding in the kelp beds," Doughty pointed out. "It's a pretty incredible place."
Kelp forest restoration will be important at Cape Lookout, he added. His organization is planning on finding ways to incorporate outdoor education programs through nearby Camp Meriwether at the site as well.
Support for this reporting was provided by The Pew Charitable Trusts.
get more stories like this via email
Health and Wellness
Missouri residents are worried about future access to birth control. The latest survey from The Right Time, an initiative based in Missouri…
Social Issues
Wisconsin children from low-income families are now on track to get nutritious foods over the summer. Federal officials have approved the Badger …
Social Issues
Almost 2,900 people are unsheltered on any given night in the Beehive State. Gov. Spencer Cox is celebrating signing nine bills he says are geared …
Environment
New York's Legislature is considering a bill to get clean-energy projects connected to the grid faster. It's called the RAPID Act, for "Renewable …
Social Issues
Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …
Social Issues
Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…