No better way to celebrate our freedom than to blow up the beaches and leave the toxic debris to be hauled off by the tide, right? Well at least not everyone feels that way... we had a great turnout for our 5th of July cleanup and we'd like to give a HUGE thanks to our partners and all the volunteers who made it happen!
We had over 35 people show up over the course of the day, many of whom were new faces, to help clean up Short Sands, Arch Cape and Falcon Cove beaches and celebrate the beauty and importance Oswald West State Park and the Cape Falcon Marine Reserve.
We pulled a ton of debris from the beaches and enjoyed some killer rockfish tacos and good conversation! The best part of the day was the collaborative spirit and partnerships that added much more substance and fun than we could have done alone!
First we'd like to thank Fawn from CoastWatch, Melissa from the Haystack Rock Awareness Program, and Sarah from the Fire Mountain School for captaining our beach cleanup teams and taking the time to educate volunteers about marine debris, the Cape Falcon Marine Reserve and the importance of connecting our youth to nature. This was a huge value-add to the event, it's true we are all better together!
Fawn from CoastWatch talking about marine debris
Of course a major thanks to Jim and his sous chef Patrick from the Coast Range Association for providing the amazing rockfish and talking to the group about the importance of local and sustainably caught fish.
Huge shout out to Scrappers from Stay Wild and New Belgium Brewing for providing the graphic design for the Os West Action Day logo and poster, a heightened level of stoke and some frosty cold brews! Check out the latest issue (summer 2015) of Stay Wild Magazine for an article (Locals Only!) on Short Sands and the Cape Falcon Marine Reserve. Last, but certainly not least, big thanks to Russ and Angelo from Oregon Parks and Recreation Department for helping ferry all our gear to and from the beach as well as picking up the haul from all three cleanup sites during what was surely one of their busiest weekends of the year.
Our Oswald West Action Days and burgeoning north coast Blue Water Task Force program have quickly become a successful vehicles for pulling together different groups, agencies, businesses and individuals to rally around the protection and enjoyment of this north coast gem. Thanks to all of our partners for joining us in this endeavor!
For more info on the Cape Falcon Marine Reserve check out the Oregon Marine Reserve Partnership and Friends of Cape Falcon Marine Reserve community group.
