World Oceans Day, June 4

Friday, June 8, is World Oceans Day.  Everyone who is concerned about the state of the ocean is invited to a special gathering and beachwalk celebrating the occasion, co-sponsored by the CoastWatch program of the Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition, and Shoreline Education for Awareness (SEA). The free event commences at noon at the Bandon Public Library (1204 11th St., S.W.)  CoastWatch Volunteer Coordinator Fawn Custer will talk about some of the more interesting finds that CoastWatchers make on the beach, with specimens on hand.  She will also describe the program’s various citizen science projects, with an emphasis on the marine debris survey, since the theme of this year’s World Oceans Day is plastics and how they are affecting the ocean (and how to combat this environmental abuse).  Representatives of SEA will also discuss their work to protect shoreline habitats through public education.  Refreshments will be served. At 1:30 p.m. the group will venture down to Coquille Point to participate in a citizen science clinic, guided by Fawn Custer (including a demonstration of our marine debris survey), together with an exploration of shoreline natural history led by south coast naturalist Marty Giles. Those interested in the beachwalk only can meet the group there. Giles began interpreting the natural resources of the Oregon coast over 45 years ago and has worked in many aspects of communicating about nature, from program delivery to teaching and supervising.  Currently, she is owner/operator of Wavecrest Discoveries, a nature-guiding service that specializes in “mind-refreshing” explorations of the southern Oregon coast.  Giles also writes a fortnightly nature column for The World newspaper. The field trip will also include a beach cleanup, a must on this plastics-oriented World Oceans Day. The celebration will wind up with a visit to the Bandon headquarters of Washed Ashore, through which volunteers help to turn marine debris into art, a fitting end to a day dedicated to recognizing the marine debris problem. It would be helpful in planning for the event if potential attendees would RSVP as to whether they will be present at the library, participate in the beachwalk, or both.  But participants are also welcome to join in on the spur of the moment that day without having RSVPed.  To RSVP or for more information about the event, contact Fawn Custer at (541) 270-0027, fawn@oregonshores.org.