(Wheeler, OR) – ‘Tis the season of waterproof pants! Bundle up and bring the whole family to the Biennial Nehalem Estuary Cleanup on Sunday, March 8th, 2026. This event is a collaboration of the Lower Nehalem Community Trust (LNCT), Nehalem Bay Watershed Council (NBWC) and Heart of Cartm.
Winter weather and King Tides deposit marine debris around our estuary—a nursery for juvenile salmon, migrating birds and local wildlife such as cougar, beaver, and elk. Since 1999, volunteers have come together in a community-wide effort to gather marine debris from around the bay’s edge—to the benefit of all who call the estuary home.
Join a team and make a lasting difference for our beautiful Nehalem River Estuary!
Beginning at 9a.m. on March 8th, volunteer teams will report to one of ten zones around Nehalem Bay to take on a section of the estuary. Whether you’re a regular rugged explorer or have little ones in tow, there is likely a zone with suitable terrain for you! Trash is sorted and disposed of with the help of local re-use and recycling nonprofit Heart of Cartm in Wheeler—where we will return for a midday celebration of our accomplishments.
Cleanup Schedule:
9:00a.m. Arrive at Zone (direction delivered after registration) for safety briefing.
9:30a.m. Cleanup begins!
1:00p.m. Return to Wheeler to join the sorting party.
1:30p.m. Volunteer celebration begins!
Advance registration is required. Volunteers can sign up online at nehalemtrust.org/cleanup/ or contact maijahecht@nehalemtrust.org with questions.
LNCT preserves land and nurtures conservation values in partnership with an engaged community in the Nehalem region of the Oregon Coast. For more information contact: Maija Hecht at maijahecht@nehalemtrust.org.
NBWC protects, preserves, and enhances the Nehalem watershed through leadership, cooperation and education. For more information contact: Zac Mallon at info@nehalemwatershed.org.
Heart of Cartm is facilitating the reimagination, reuse and repair of our region’s resources, leading to a zero waste community. For more information contact: Kate Cloran at info@heartofcartm.org.