Wheeler, Oregon – Gear up and get out into the Estuary! The 11th Biennial Nehalem Estuary Cleanup is in less than two weeks! On Saturday March 9th please join your neighbors and community in making a difference by coming out to pick up trash from the estuary. A debris-free estuary is important for salmon, wildlife, and the health of our communities.
Orientation begins at 7:30 a.m. at the Salmonberry Saloon, in downtown Wheeler. Parking is available throughout downtown Wheeler. Following the introduction, groups of volunteers will spread out around the bay to walk the high tide line collecting debris. Trucks and boats will collect the materials, returning it to Wheeler’s Waterfront Park for sorting, recycling and disposal.
Volunteers of all ages and abilities are welcome to join this exciting event. Opportunities range from collecting debris, sorting materials, helping with set-up and take down, and food service. Nehalem Bay State Park will have special activities for children that will help them understand why coastal cleanups are so important. Youth and family volunteers can join the 7:30 a.m. orientation in Wheeler, or go directly to the boat ramp in Nehalem Bay State Park starting at 9 a.m., where there will be an orientation and ongoing educational activities!
A wide variety of local businesses have supported the 11th Biennial Nehalem Estuary Cleanup. Cash, staff, and material donations have been received from the North Coast Land Conservancy, Port of Nehalem, Salmonberry Saloon, Oregon State Parks, Tillamook Estuaries Partnership, Weyerhaeuser, Fort George Brewery and Public House, GreenWood Resources, Nehalem Landing Storage Center, Bill’s Tavern Brew House, Kingfisher Farm, Manzanita Beach Getaway, The City of Nehalem, Manzanita News and Espresso, SOLVE, Manzanita Fresh Foods, Cape Falcon Marine Reserve, and Yolk.
Bring drinking water and your own snack or sack lunch. This is a rain or shine event. Wear waterproof boots, work gloves, and layers as needed.
After the cleanup, starting at 5:00 p.m., volunteers are invited to the White Clover Grange at 36585 Highway 53, Nehalem, for live music, a chili and cornbread feast, and socializing. You might want to bring a dry change of clothes for the party.
We ask everyone to register online in advance of the event. Volunteers can sign-up by going to www.eventbrite.com and searching for “11th Biennial Nehalem Estuary Cleanup” or by visiting nehalemtrust.org/cleanup. This will allow for a smooth orientation in the morning and a quick start to the cleanup. It will also help us have the right t-shirt sizes for everyone!
In 2017 over 170 volunteers dedicated their time, skills, and energy to make our bay clean and healthy. We pulled 2.66 tons of trash and 1,319 lbs. of recyclable and reusable material from the estuary.
We are grateful for the outpouring of support from so many businesses and individuals. We thank our many supporters who can be seen on the event website! https://www.nehalemtrust.org/cleanup/
If you can’t join us for the day of the event, please consider making a donation by visiting www.nehalemtrust.org or by mail to Lower Nehalem Community Trust, PO Box 496, 532 Laneda Ave., Suite C, Manzanita, OR 97130. Include “Estuary Cleanup” in the message section or on the memo line.
For more information, contact Lower Nehalem Watershed Council Coordinator, Zachary Mallon at lnwc@nehalemtel.net
WHAT: 11th Biennial Nehalem Bay Estuary Cleanup.
WHEN: Saturday, March 9th, 2019, 7:30 a.m. Orientation
WHERE: Salmonberry Saloon, 380 Marine Drive, Wheeler, OR, 97147
REGISTRATION: www.nehalemtrust.org/cleanup
