An estuary…
…where rivers meet the sea.
Estuaries in Oregon
• River dominated
• Bar-built
• Drowned river mouth
• Blind
South South Slough Slough NERRNERR
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ay
• 5,000 ac Estuarine Research Natural Area.
• Only site of its kind in Oregon.
• Created to promote estuary research, education, and stewardship.
South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
• Part of a National System• Established in 1974 • Our mission: To improve the
understanding and stewardship of Pacific Northwest estuaries and coastal watersheds.
Estuaries provide a diverse wealth of natural resources & benefits.
Reaching a national audience
• Estuary Live uses the Internet to reach classrooms around the globe.
Engaging Oregon’s educational community
• Professional Teacher Development
• Student as researchers
A place for the public to explore estuaries and their watersheds
• Interpretive programs• Educational programs
serving students of all ages
• Exhibits, information and knowledge
A study of oysters & eelgrass
• Reducing the impacts of oyster cultivation on eelgrass and tideflats
• Development of Best Management Practices
• Habitat restoration
• Restoration monitoring
• Control of invasive non-native species
• Habitat acquisition within the context of local and regional conservation efforts
• Habitat Management- protecting the “investment”
South Slough NERR
Stewardship Program
Involving the community
• A place for volunteers to make meaningful contributions
• Professional workplace skills development
South Slough NERR serves many communities
• The South Slough NERR mission is to improve the understanding and stewardship of Pacific Northwest estuaries and coastal watersheds.
• Partnerships are a critical component of the Reserve’s strategy to meet the needs of the various communities we serve.
Taking a Good Sense Hike
• Write the following headings on the top of each page –
Watershed, Forest, Stream, Freshwater Swamp, Salt Marsh, Mudflat, Open Water Channel
Taking a Good Sense Hike
• Form a question that you want to answer about each habitat and write this beneath the title.
• Write the word evidence in the middle of the page and conclusion at the bottom of the page leaving enough room to write next to each one.
Taking a Good Sense Hike
• Seek evidence during the course of our day and write your observations and conclusions in your notebook.
The town of Charleston at the mouth of South Slough