Celebrate National Estuaries Week in Coos Bay!, Sept. 21

Estuaries represent unique and important natural systems that provide untold benefits to people and animals. Coos Bay is fortunate to have a place dedicated to estuary conservation, education, and research. For National Estuaries Week, which is September 17 to 24, the South Slough Reserve in partnership with the CB Surfrider Chapter is providing special events dedicated to getting the public more involved with this amazing resource.
“Estuaries give back to our community in many ways, including improving the quality of our water and reducing floods,” says Reserve Manger Gary Cooper. “But estuaries do even more than that. Our estuary is an “outdoor classroom,” providing opportunities to learn and have fun in a natural environment. That’s what we want to showcase during Estuaries Week.” Events starting at 9am include a community paddle, shoreline clean-up, luau, music, paddle joust, educational activities and two guided bird walks at 9 and 11 am. Sign up and learn more here: https://coosbay.surfrider.org/stand-up-for-the-bay-2016/ Estuaries are defined as ecosystems along the oceans where freshwater and saltwater mix to create wetlands, bays, lagoons, sounds, or sloughs. These ecosystems are not only home to unique plant and animal habitats, but they provide communities with food, recreation, jobs, and coastal protection. Of the 32 largest cities in the world, 22 are located on estuaries. The South Slough Reserve is part of a national system of reserves that protects more than 1.3 million acres of coastal land and water. Each of the 28 sites receives support from NOAA and local partners. The research and environmental monitoring performed at each reserve plays an important role in protecting environmental health, both locally and nationally. http://www.oregon.gov/DSL/SSNERR/Pages/index.aspx