Celebration promises a Knight to remember
Knight Park in Lincoln City will offer everything from estuary boat tours and guided hikes to telescope viewing and live music this Saturday, July 18, as the Cascade Head Biosphere Region celebrates its 50th anniversary.
The free community event invites visitors to explore one of Oregon's most remarkable landscapes through a full day of outdoor adventures, educational experiences and family activities. Guests can join guided birding excursions, hike Cascade Head, learn about salmon ecology, explore interactive exhibits, try kayaking and surfing activities and enjoy live music along the Salmon River Estuary. Nature-based activities for kids and refreshments will also be available throughout the afternoon.
The celebration continues after dark with Night Sky at Knight Park, featuring professional telescope viewing, live classical music and refreshments beneath the summer sky.
The anniversary marks 50 years since UNESCO designated Cascade Head as a Biosphere Reserve, recognizing the area's extraordinary biodiversity and its importance as a place where conservation, scientific research, education and sustainable communities work together. Today, Cascade Head remains Oregon's only UNESCO Biosphere Region and is part of a worldwide network of more than 700 biosphere reserves in more than 128 countries.
The region stretches from the Pacific Ocean through the Salmon River Estuary and into the Coast Range, encompassing rare coastal prairie habitat, old-growth forests, salmon-bearing streams and diverse wildlife populations. Its combination of ecological richness and community stewardship has made it a model for conservation efforts around the world.
As part of the celebration, visitors will hear from two nationally recognized leaders in conservation and environmental science. Dr. Jerry Franklin, one of the world's leading forest ecologists and a pioneer in modern forest management, will discuss the lessons old-growth forests can teach about stewardship in the 21st Century. Jon Alan, chairman of the US Biosphere Network, will speak about the role biosphere regions play in addressing environmental challenges while supporting healthy communities.
The event is presented by the Cascade Head Biosphere Collaborative in partnership with Explore Lincoln City and is intended to celebrate both the region's international significance and the local partnerships that have helped protect it for five decades.
Saturday's celebration runs from 1 to 5 pm at Knight Park on the Salmon River Estuary, north of Lincoln City. Night Sky at Knight Park follows from 8 to 10 pm. For more information, go to cascadehead.org.