‘Sharing the Coast’: Tillamook conference set for March 3
Learn about everything from climate change and coastal hazards to paleobotany and snowy plovers at this year’s “Sharing the Coast Conference,” set for Saturday, March 3 in Tillamook.
This will be the fourth annual conference co-sponsored by CoastWatch and the Northwest Aquatic and Marine Educators (NAME). The event takes place at Tillamook Bay Community College, 4301 Third St. Registration opens at 9 a.m. and the event runs all day, up to a 5:15 p.m. reception. There will also be field trips devoted to geology, birds and tidepools on Sunday, March 4.
The conference’s theme this year is climate change and its potential impacts – and how to teach about them. While the agenda is designed to inform CoastWatch volunteers, who monitor the shoreline, and teachers and interpreters who help to educate the public about the coast, the conference is open to everyone
Key speakers include Bryan Black, a professor at Oregon State University’s Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport. Dr. Black will discuss how climate variability has affected the ecosystems of the Pacific Northwest throughout history. He studies dendrochronology (tree-ring analysis), and similar techniques applied to long-lived marine organisms including fish, bivalves, and corals, in order to trace changes in climate that took place long before there were instruments to record it.
Other speakers include geologist Curt Peterson, who will discuss erosion, sand supply and the future of Oregon’s beaches in an era of climate change. Dr. Peterson will also lead a field trip on coastal geology on Sunday. Pat Corcoran of Sea Grant will speak on increasing coastal hazards and how to plan for them. Corcoran works with communities to identify hazards and begin planning for greater community resilience.
Workshops and breakout sessions will deal with everything from paleobotany to invasive species to surveying for snowy plovers to adaptive community planning for climate impacts. Information about the Sunday field trips – which will include bird and tidepool trips led by Nala Cardillo of the Haystack Rock Awareness Project in the Cannon Beach area – will be provided to registrants.
CoastWatch is a program of the Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition. More information about the event is available at oregonshores.org/coastwatch.php5.
To register, go to the NAME site, pacname.org. Participants may also register at the door on the day of the conference.
For current Oregon Shores or NAME members, the cost will be $15 to cover lunch and snacks. Those whose membership is not current will be asked to renew or join; for non-members, the charge will be $45.
For more information or to register, contact Fawn Custer of NAME, 541-270-0027, envtgsldrfawn@aol.com. For information about CoastWatch or climate change planning, contact Phillip Johnson of Oregon Shores, 503-754-9303.

Aquarium seeks youth volunteers
 The Oregon Coast Aquarium is looking for teenagers to join its youth volunteer team. Young people have an opportunity to explore the world of marine science and share their knowledge as aquarium interpreters. Youth volunteers will spend 48 hours in training learning about marine science, marine animals, and conservation. Successful completion of training can earn young people three transferable college credits from the Oregon Coast Community College and high school credit, in some cases, as well.
“It is a great time to get involved and spend the summer with friends, learning and growing as leaders together,” said Tricia Ratliff, aquarium youth programs coordinator. “There are so many opportunities for students in the program; working with the public, volunteering with summer camps, working around marine animals and at social events. Becoming a youth volunteer offers an opportunity for teens to share their enthusiasm and knowledge with others.”
Youth volunteers are enthusiastic about the experience as well. “I have learned so much about the environment as a youth volunteer, and thanks to the aquarium, I was able to spread my knowledge to the community,” said Emily Branigan, former youth volunteer. “It is so rewarding to have an impact on a child’s life, whether it is encouraging them to recycle or showing them about the wonders of the ocean.”
Volunteer training offers an introduction to marine biology, animal husbandry and the inner workings of the Aquarium. Volunteers also study the aquarium’s marine animal collection as well as the Oregon Coast’s natural history.
After completing the training, youth volunteers work with the public as interpreters. Volunteers work two 4.5-hour shifts a week during the summer, sharing their knowledge with aquarium guests. Benefits include educational work experience, references, discounts in the aquarium gift shop and café, along with complimentary passes for every 100 hours of volunteer service. After completing 50 hours of service, youth volunteers are eligible to receive an aquarium membership.
Enrollment is open now through March 9. The volunteer training course will run Saturdays, April 7 through May 12. Applicants need to submit an application packet by March 9 and must attend every training session.
Anyone interested may pick up an application at the aquarium, on the web at aquarium.org, by calling 541-867-3474 x 5312, or emailing volunteer@aquarium.org for more information.


Practicing prudent pruning
If you feel sheer terror when you’re handed a pair of shears and asked to prune your spouse’s favorite berries, Nehalem has the workshop for you.
And it’s not just pruning. If you’ve ever wondered which varieties of raspberries grow best at the coast and taste best all season long, or if you’re looking to plant a more edible landscape, you should plan to attend the Lower Nehalem Community Trust’s Pruning & Grafting Workshop on Sunday, March 4. The workshop is scheduled to run from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Alder Creek Farm in Nehalem.
“We are fortunate to have Jim Gilbert and Lorraine Gardener of One Green World/Northwoods Nursery as our presenters for the workshop,” said Joanne Benningfield a volunteer with LNCT’s Coastal Food Ecology program.  “With Jim and Lorraine’s expertise, we’ll learn techniques, tips and tricks and will have access to their rich knowledge of edible plants from around the world.”
Gilbert and Gardener’s emphasis will be learning to grow fruit trees and small fruits on the coast and how to prune and manage these plants.  They will demonstrate the art of grafting and will be available to answer questions specific to fruit and berry production in our climate.  The workshop will be held both indoors and outside so participants are encouraged to dress for the weather and wear shoes appropriate for a garden/orchard walking tour.  
The workshop is free for LNCT members and $5 for non-members.  LNCT membership starts at just $15 per year for an individual and benefits include free or reduced admission to events, workshops and programs.  Participants can sign up for membership at the workshop to waive the fee.  
Participants can receive free delivery of plants ordered from One Green World to Nehalem prior to the March 4 workshop.   To take advantage of this offer, order online at onegreenworld.com, specify “Show Delivery” and type “Alder Creek Farm” in the notes field. Or, call 877-353-4028.
For more information about the workshop, membership or ordering plants call 503-368-3203 or lnct@nehalemtel.net.