Tour the Mill Ponds

When we think of the Necanicum estuary, we typically think of the part that's west of Highway 101 between Gearhart and Seaside. Less known is the area known as Stanley Lake, a tidewater marsh that's linked to the estuary via Mill Creek and a culvert running under the highway. The marsh has a high natural resource value, is host to numerous species of coastal birds and plants, and has a fascinating history. This Saturday you can join natural resource consultant Doug Ray for a tour of the marsh, where we'll learn about the marsh's natural history and the ongoing restoration and mitigation activities that are going on there, along with the science behind the overall estuarine functions in this rare "low energy embayment" environment.

The program is this Saturday, June 20 at 2:00 P.M. To get there, take Lewis & Clark Road east from Highway 101 or Wahana Road. Turn right into Thompson Falls Estates, and park near the turnoff [map/details]. Dress for the weather. We won't be covering a lot of distance, and the ground is level but somewhat rough and may be wet, so boots are suggested.

And be sure to mark your calendar for the following upcoming events:

Family Program: Natural History at the Mill Ponds
The Mill Pond field program will focus on the kids, providing hands-on experience observing and catching some of the critters found in the aquatic system at the Mill Ponds. Saturday July 18, 10:00 A.M. [details].

Nehalem Bay Estuary Ecology
The Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad train from Garibaldi to Wheeler will be the platform for this fun and educational event focusing on the ecology and natural history of Nehalem Bay. This is an RSVP event so pre-registration will be required. Friday July 24, 6:00 P.M. At this point the schedule is still tentative, so be sure to visit the program web page for confirmation and details.

These events are part of the North Coast Land Conservancy's Gateway to Discovery program series. To see what else is coming up, visit www.nclctrust.org and follow the events link.

Thanks for your interest. See you outside!