May Nature: Oregon

Discover with Nature: Oregon

Cascade Head Preserve ? Devan King/The Nature Conservancy

DATES

May 15th ? May 20th, 2023

PRICE

Double Occupancy: $4,725 Single Occupancy: $5,525

Your journey begins in Portland, Oregon where you will be met by your guide before departing on a two hour and thirty-minute drive toward the Oregon Coast. Along the way, we'll stop to stretch our legs and explore the charming boardwalks at Camassia Natural Area, where TNC is working to protect the wildflowers that boldly bloom mid-Spring. We'll get our first glimpse of the stunning coastline before settling into our comfortable accommodations at Salishan Resort.

Explore Cascade Head Preserve, a spectacular coastal headland that is a haven for rare plants, wildlife and grassland communities. Joined by local experts, you'll have the opportunity to explore this incredible landscape by boat and foot. Learn more about the initial acquisition of the area and how TNC is maintaining this ecologically significant landscape.

Head south to Newport, a thirty-minute drive, where we will meet with local fishermen, TNC staff, and a restaurateur, to discuss sustainable fisheries. Dine on locally caught seafood and board a private charter as we explore the many facets of seafood and its impact on Oregon's coastal communities.

Heading up the coast, stop at Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge; with world class views as our backdrop, learn about TNC's commitment to restoring estuaries and tidal wetlands that salmon need to thrive. We'll finish the day in Cannon Beach at the SurfSand Resort, our home for the final two nights. A small coastal city, it is known for its long, pristine seashore and beautiful downtown filled with delicious food, adorable boutiques, and art galleries. Additional time will be spent exploring Haystack Rock with a local naturalist, learning about the vibrant ecosystem that calls it home. From tufted puffins to ochre sea stars and giant green anemones, there is so much to observe amongst this incredible habitat.

End your journey with a final coastal walk and an evening beach bonfire as you reflect on the time spent with TNC experts, visits to local preserves, and new friends you've made along the way.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

? Sarah Alvarez/TNC Photo Contest

? Rick McEwan

SEE CASCADE HEAD FROM THE WATER

Board a chartered boat to view the Cascade Head Biosphere Reserve; a UNESCO protected site, it is home to diverse wildlife including whales, eagles, otters, elk, salmon and heron. ___

DINE ON LOCALLY SOURCED SEAFOOD

Throughout the journey, learn about (and eat!) sustainably caught seafood. ___

VISIT CANNON BEACH

Featuring stunning coastline views, rich culinary bounty, and expressive art, Cannon Beach is a charming place to experience coastal Oregon.

Your trip supports the local communities you're traveling in and The Nature Conservancy's efforts locally and globally. This trip has been planned specifically by The Nature Conservancy's team of scientific experts and travel liaisons to immerse you in the work the Conservancy is doing on the ground that has global consequences.

TNC TRAVEL VALUES

ACCESS: Travel with renowned Conservancy experts and local partners for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes experience. You won't just see amazing places, you'll witness how you are helping save them.

IMPACT: See how your commitment to our planet and your passion for conservation are making a difference. You will see the wild places and the communities you are impacting.

KNOWLEDGE: Learn how we are applying the latest cutting-edge science to affect global change and drive conservation.

INSPIRATION: Immerse yourself in local cultures and awe-inspiring landscapes to foster your own connection to our world.

GLOBALLY MINDED: Elevate your understanding of our work by seeing first-hand how TNC and our partners act locally and how we turn local results in to global impact by scaling solutions that work.

CODE OF CONDUCT: Please click here to read The Nature Conservancy's Code of Conduct, our guide to ensuring that we treat each other with respect, fairness, and integrity beyond reproach. We expect our travel partners to adhere to these standards as they lead trips, and we hope that you will embrace this with us.

? Bridget Besaw

THE CONSERVATION LANDSCAPE

PROTECTING OUR ESTUARIES

Estuaries and tidal wetlands - where rivers and oceans meet - are ecologically critical habitats, sustaining countless species including Pacific salmon, shellfish, crab, migratory birds and people. Estuaries provide shelter and act as nurseries for salmon and other fish to rest, feed and reproduce while supporting unique communities of plants and animals; in turn, these fish act as a critical food source for migrating birds and coastal communities. As tidal wetlands disappear due to agriculture and development, the ecosystem suffers, impacting fish populations, water quality and communities. The Nature Conservancy is working to replace and restore failing tidal gates, built originally to keep tidal rivers off agricultural land, to improve fish passage and keep Oregon's estuaries healthy. There are currently between 1,000 and 1,500 tide gates negatively impacting fish passage, making this work a priority for TNC.

SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES

More than 246 million pounds of Oregon fish and shellfish is caught and consumed both local and globally every year- knowing exactly where it's caught, how it's processed, and how it's brought to market is critical to conservation work. The Nature Conservancy is working to modernize the industry by incorporating digital record-keeping through an electronic fish-tracking database. In addition, TNC is working with Oregon fisheries to establish goals and best practices that will ensure the sustainability and quality of fish that are affected by challenges of climate change. Harmful algae blooms, ocean acidification and warmer waters threaten the livelihoods of these communities as fish head north or dive deeper to avoid these changes.

ITINERARY

DAY 1 -- Monday, May 15th | Arrive in Portland by 11:00 AM. Upon arrival at the airport, you will be welcomed by your Iconic Leader and Nature Conservancy Host. Heading towards the coast, we'll make our first stop at Camassia Nature Preserve. Walk along the boardwalks with your TNC Hosts as they set the context for the days to come. We'll have a picnic lunch amongst the landscape before continuing on. On arrival in Gleneden Beach, you'll have time to settle into your room at the cozy Salishan Resort before enjoying a short presentation; a cocktail reception and dinner will follow.

OVERNIGHT AT SALISHAN RESORT

DAY 2 -- Tuesday, May 16th | After breakfast at the hotel, a short transfer will bring us to Depoe Bay where we'll meet with our local captain for a morning boat excursion. We'll travel up to historic Cascade Head Scenic Research Area, learning about the ecological significance of this landscape as we explore, looking for seals, sea lions, river otters, bald eagles, peregrine falcons, herons, egrets, and more. A picnic lunch will be enjoyed afterward.

In the afternoon, we will have an opportunity to hike amongst Cascade Head Preserve, a haven for rare plants, wildlife and grassland communities. Making our way through old growth forest, we'll cross several bridges and small streams before arriving at a meadow with views of the Salmon River estuary and Lincoln City Headlands. This hike is moderate, and steep in some areas, but the views are well worth it! In the afternoon, return to Salishan Resort and freshen up before dinner in town.

OVERNIGHT AT SALISHAN RESORT

DAY 3 -- Wednesday, May 17th | Today we will make our way south to Newport, Oregon. On arrival, meet with TNC staff to learn about the different types of fishing that happen in Oregon and the work TNC has done to make the fisheries more sustainable as the threats of climate change loom. After, enjoy a delicious lunch at Local Ocean, where we'll hear from the owner about local, sustainable seafood and its impact along coastal Oregon.

Early afternoon, depart to Yaquina Bay for a private boat charter. With a naturalist out on the bay, we'll throw out crab pots, collect and view plankton through video microscopy, learn about the health of an estuary food chain, and get hands-on experience distinguishing between male and female crabs. Return to our Salishan Resort for downtime before dinner on-site.

OVERNIGHT AT SALISHAN RESORT

LODGING

Salishan Resort Situated at the heart of the Oregon Coastal Range, between the forested bluffs and Siletz Bay, Salishan Resort sits on over 200-acres of coastal property. Photo credit: Salishan Resort

Surfsand Resort With the Pacific Ocean at your doorstep, Surfsand Resort is the ideal place to explore Oregon's North Coast. Photo credit: Surfsand Resort

ITINERARY, CONT.

DAY 4 -- Thursday, May 18th | After breakfast, we'll transfer as a group to Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Woodlands, coastal prairie, tidal marsh and mudflats make up this stunning landscape that TNC and other partners have worked to establish and expand over the years. A biodiverse habitat for migrant birds, we'll walk along the Two Rivers Nature Trail with TNC experts and Refuge staff, stopping to see wildflower meadows, view butterfly restoration areas, discuss tidal gates, and take in the confluence of the Nestucca and Little Nestucca Rivers. A picnic lunch will be enjoyed while taking in the scenic landscape.

After, we'll transfer 40 minutes to the Tillamook Coast, where we'll stop for a cheese tasting at a local farm before continuing on to Cannon Beach. On arrival, check in to our oceanfront lodging at Surfsand Resort; you'll have time to explore at leisure, walking the sandy shores or visiting some of the local shops. Dinner will be in town this evening.

OVERNIGHT AT SURFSAND RESORT

DAY 5 -- Friday, May 19th | After an early breakfast, we'll walk to one of Oregon's most recognizable landmarks, Haystack Rock. A basalt sea stack rising 235 feet from the shoreline, it is one of Oregon's seven Marine Gardens, home to colorful and varied tidepools and spectacular nesting birds, such as the Tufted Puffin. Explore the intertidal life along the shores with a local guide. There will be plenty of time for questions and discussions.

After a seafood lunch in town, you'll have the option to spend time at the beach or head out on a leisurely hike.

Tonight we will enjoy a final dinner as a group followed by an evening beach bonfire with s'mores.

OVERNIGHT AT SURFSAND RESORT

DAY 6-- Saturday, May 20th | Transfers back to Portland will begin at 10am; it is a 2-hour drive, so plan to book flights that depart after 3pm.

? Manuela Durson/TNC Photo Contest

Marathon Grassland Preserve ? Jerod Foster

? Outdoor Project

PRICE DETAIL

Double Occupancy $4,725 Single Occupancy: $5,525 Price is based on a minimum of 14. Trip size not to exceed 14 travelers. Price includes all lodging, domestic transportation, activities, tips, meals, TNC expert staff and local guides. Price does not include your roundtrip flight to Portland, Oregon. PLEASE NOTE: This itinerary is representative of your trip, and like all natural history excursions, activities are subject to modification based on weather and unforeseen events. We will do our best to keep you informed on any necessary changes.

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