Naturalist's Calendar
[Posted June 4, 2008]
Pitch a tent, and your wallet
In honor of Oregon State Parks Day, and the annual Free Fishing Weekend, the Tillamook County Commissioners have decided to offer their own freebie. This weekend, June 6-8, they’re offering free camping at all county parks and campgrounds. It’s available to Tillamook County residents on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Proof of county residence will be required. You may use a valid Oregon driver’s license, or other state identification showing a Tillamook County address.
Camping fees will be waived, but a $5 reservations fee will apply. To make a reservation, call the parks directly: Whalen Island (503-965-6085); Barview Jetty, (503-322-3522); Kilchis River (503-842-6694); Trask River (503-842-4559); Woods (503-965-5001); or Webb (503-965-5001).
There are even more free camping opportunities outside of Tillamook County this weekend.
This weekend, in honor of State Parks Day and National Trails Day, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department will be waiving all camping and day-use area fees across the state. Observed on the first Saturday of every June, this event is designed to help Oregonians explore and enjoy their many public parks and outdoor destinations. Bring your tent or RV to any state park (provided there are spaces), and the space or hookup is free.
Visitors to Heceta Head Lighthouse, 13 miles north of Florence, will have a chance to stretch their legs on guided walks.
For more details, call 503-986-0663.
Every ocean has its day
The Oregon Coast Aquarium and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums will celebrate World Ocean Day June 8 with a variety of events highlighting the marine environment. World Ocean Day celebrations are part of “Wonders of Water,” AZA’s public education campaign to help people understand that from the air we breathe to the food we eat, we all depend on the ocean for survival.
“Many of us are not aware how much we affect the ocean and how much the ocean affects us. For instance, people are usually surprised to learn that the ocean produces 70 percent of our oxygen,” said Sydney J. Butler, executive director of the AZA. “We invite people of all ages to join us in the fun and excitement of exploring the amazing world of the ocean and the animals that depend on it, and learn how everyone can play a part in conserving this precious resource.”
World Ocean Day events are included with aquarium admission.
All-day events include a children’s craft, scavenger hunt, biofacts, and information tables.
The Pirate Improv Theater will offer a fun and interactive program, celebrating the ocean and designed for all ages, at 11 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. in the aquarium’s theater.
A program titled “Diving with Great Whites” will be presented by Vern Dipietro, aquarium dive volunteer, at 1 p.m. in the theater.
Dipietro shares his own experiences diving with great white sharks.
“Gray Whales of the Oregon Coast” will be presented by whale biologist Carrie Newell at 4 p.m. in the aquarium theater. Newell has studied the gray whale population of the Oregon coast and will share a journey through the natural history of Oregon’s summer resident gray whale population.
Children’s story time will feature tales about sea otters, sharks, and fish, from 11 a.m. to noon and from 2 to 3 p.m. aquarium’s entrance lobby.
The Oregon Coast Aquarium is located at 2820 SE Ferry Slip in the South Beach area of Newport. For details, visit aquarium.org or call 541-867-FISH.
Gem and mineral show
Is yours a house divided? That is, some of you like to hit the dirt, scrounging for interesting geological artifacts, and the rest are unduly fond of acrylic nail sets? Then, my dears, there are rocky times ahead.
The Oregon Coast Agate Club has announced the return of its annual Gem and Mineral Show, June 13-15 in the Lincoln County Fairgrounds Exhibition Building, in Newport.
There will be dozens of exhibits, displays and vendors featuring high-quality gems, minerals, fossils, rocks, beads, lapidary supplies and books. There will be ongoing demonstrations on lapidary skills like flint-knapping, silver wire-wrapping and faceting, plus lots of hands-on youth activities.
You can bid on silent auction items, buy a raffle ticket and meet other rockhounds, all herded into the same building. Everyone will get a free polished Oregon beach agate, courtesy of the OCAC, and youngsters will get free Oregon thundereggs.
There’s also a “name the event” contest. More info is available at the show.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, June 13 and 14, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 15. The fairgrounds’ exhibition building is near the corner of 3rd and
Harney streets in Newport. Admission is $2 for adults, $1 for youth and seniors.
For details, call Guy DiTorrice, OCAC president, at 541-961-1762.
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