EDITOR’S NOTE: With Spring Break and a steady stream of visitors, the Pioneer has been advocating for beach and trail safety programs for a decade. Here are some great tips and the best advice from the people that are rescuing those that don’t heed the signs, follow the advice or don’t think it applies to them. Enjoy the wonderful, amazing…
Category: Explore Nature
SPRING WHALE WATCH WEEK RETURNS IN PERSON FOR SPRING BREAK 2023
OREGON COAST, Oregon—Oregon State Parks will host Spring Whale Watch Week in person along the Oregon Coast Tuesday, March 28 through Sunday, April 2. Every year thousands of gray whales pass through Oregon’s waters in the spring on their journey home from the calving lagoons in Mexico, and Oregon Parks and Recreation Department invites visitors to the coast to see them. Trained volunteers will be stationed…
Marine Reserves hook-and-line surveys head to Garibaldi, Port Orford in 2023
(March 17, 2023-Newport, Ore.) – Oregon’s Marine Reserves Program plans to return to the ports of Garibaldi and Port Orford this spring and fall in the latest installment of this unique way for coastal commercial and recreational fishers to help fuel scientific research in the state’s near-shore waters. The Marine Preserves Program, administered by the Oregon Department of Fish and…
Tillamook Coast Visitors Association Establishes Two Scholarships
Tillamook Coast Visitors Association has established two annual scholarships at Tillamook Bay Community College. Named the Tillamook Coast Outdoor Program Scholarship, each award is $1,000 and available now to students enrolling in TBCC’s Nature and Outdoors Program. “As part of our continuing efforts to support local workforce initiatives, we are thrilled to offer these two scholarships to students seeking training…
Subject mortally wounds at least four elk after shooting into herd near Nehalem in January
(March 16, 2023-TILLAMOOK, Ore.) — A subject shooting into a herd of elk near Nehalem killed one and mortally wounded at least three others in January, while illegally shooting from a road, and in the direction Hwy 101. The 66-year-old subject blamed “elk fever” when he self-reported the incident, according to authorities. The subject, whose name has not been released…
TILLAMOOK FOREST CENTER RE-OPENS TO PUBLIC MARCH 17
Tillamook State Forest, Ore. – The Tillamook Forest Center is re-opening to the public starting March 17, offering opportunities to connect with and learn about Oregon’s fascinating state forests. Located in the heart of the Tillamook State Forest along Highway 6, the Tillamook Forest Center has been closed for about three years starting with the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020. Initial…
RESPECT NESTING AREAS TO PROTECT THREATENED SNOWY PLOVER MARCH 15 – SEPT. 15
Corvallis, OR – The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department and federal U.S. Forest Service remind visitors to the Oregon coast that it is plover nesting season — visitors can help recovery efforts for the threatened western snowy plover by sharing the beaches March 15 to Sept. 15. Sensitive plover nesting areas will be roped off or identified by signs with rules and limits, such as staying on the wet sand,…
Oregon ocean salmon fisheries affected by California’s low forecasted returns; More on Spring Ocean Salmon Fishing Closures; Input Requested from Fishermen
(March 14, 2023- NEWPORT, Ore) – With severely low forecasted returns of California chinook salmon (Sacramento and Klamath River), both California and Oregon ocean chinook commercial and recreational fisheries are impacted. Coho are a bright spot again for Oregon, and the state is expecting another good run and fishing seasons like last year. Last week, the National Marine Fisheries Service…
2023 Garibaldi Crab Races – Day #1 – Video & Photos March 11
There was a line at the door, and all the races filled quickly at the annual Garibaldi Crab Races at the Old Mill Convention Center. The action was “fast and furious” with lots of fun had by all. Here are a couple photos from today’s action, March 11, 2023. The event is sponsored by the Garibaldi Lions Club to support…
COMMERCIAL & RECREATIONAL OCEAN SALMON ACTION NOTICE: Commercial & Recreational Ocean Salmon Fishery March 15 through May 15 Season Canceled in Ocean Water off Oregon
March 9, 2023 The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) in consultation with the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC), the State of Oregon, and the State of California met today, March 9, 2023 via a blended conference call and in person meeting and have taken the following in-season management action related to the scheduled March 15 commercial and recreational Chinook salmon…