CoastSavers
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with the fine folks with the Washington branch of CoastSavers. Back in 2013, I helped with the clean-up efforts on one of the outer beaches south of Cape Flattery. Oh my gosh, has it really been that long? So when I recently received a request to help document the debris found on our section of COASST beach with the Olympic National Park I was more than happy to jump back on board.
Washington CoastSavers are people actively engaged in saving Washington’s Pacific Coast from the harm of marine debris. Over the years they’ve morphed from individual organizations to one large overseeing organization with a variety of committees driving the main mission which is simply providing stewardship over the health of our beach.
You can read more about the history of CoastSavers here. If you think you’d like to know more about the various cleanups and their schedules you can find that information here and then finally, information on how to volunteer for CoastSavers is here.
Support
Our mission is a labor of love, but it does come with overhead. If you’d like to support our efforts we’d certainly appreciate it. Currently, we’re actively participating in the following field research:
- COASST Beached Bird Surveys
- Wild and Scenic River Project
Thank you.
advertisement
CoastSavers has been organizing and conducting beach cleanups on the Washington Coast since 1971.
Member of the following
Latest Instagram
This set of pillars made from columnar basalt at the terminus of Frenchman Coulee is popular among rock climbers. Read more about this in the link in bio.
We started our hike to the Frenchman Coulee Waterfall in the Columbia River Gorge early in the morning to beat the heat. However, when we reached the bottom of the waterfall, it was already scorching hot. Follow the link in the bio to read more.
Stormy weather over Fort Worden.
Point Wilson Lighthouse at night. This is a hand held shot with the new iPhone. Hard to believe where tech has taken us.
Large waves from the evening storm crashed against the rocks at the base of Cape Disappointment Lighthouse.
Spending the weekend on the Washington coast near the mouth of the Columbia River. Last night it poured in camp, but this morning the sun broke throught for a bit. Make everything seem a bit warmer.
A road less traveled through the Northern Cascades during the fall season.
Sunset over a lonely section of coastline on the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Enjoying the quiet and solitude of an evening camp on Whidbey Island.
A view of Baker River just south of Baker Dam. We arrived midweek and had the place to ourselves despite enduring some showers.
Theresa clings to her cap atop Goats Rock on the SW side of Deception Pass, admiring the view of Puget Sound after a steep climb.
This group of Common Rustgill were at our campsite on the Sagkit River. This is a great time to go out and brush up on your fungi identification skills.
Nature's masterpiece painted across the canvas of the sky, as fiery hues intertwine with the tranquil waters of Deception Pass. Last night's sunset at North Beach left me in awe of the world's endless wonders.
That time of the year to pull out the mycology reference books. Spending a week exploring the forests of the North Cascades. #MycologyMagic #ForestAdventures
Deception Pass State Park is our starting point for a 7 day camping trip through the North Cascades.
A view from last summers trip to Frenchman’s Coulee along the Columbia River Gorge. Missing the warm dry temperatures.
Current Mission
This particular mission started when I received an email asking if I would take photographs as well as fill out a debris tracking form for inclusion with a report that was being prepared for submission to the official of the Olympic National Park.
The time here was almost spooky as I had just had a long conversation with a retired park official with whom I had crossed paths while conducting our survey the previous months. Our conversation had started out with an introduction but apparently, Bob recognized us from a previous encounter; we’ve been surveying this beach every month for the last 3 years and are often approached by people who are curious to know what we are up to. You don’t see many people here on the outer coast to begin with, much less pacing of sections of the beach with clipboard and clicker in hand.
Our conversation quickly turned to the changes and state of the beach. The biggest point of contention was that someone or someones had collected all the dispersed debris in the area and created a huge trash pile just off the beach. I’m sure they thought they were being good samaritans but without someone to remove the debris they really just created an eye-sore.
I’m not sure of the good vs. bad points merits of this collection effort but had to agree with Bob in that by creating the pike but leaving it you did have an eyes-sore. Hopefully, our documentation and the CoastSavers report will get the NPS motivated to remove it. If so we’ve already volunteered to be part of the team. Here’s keeping our fingers crossed!
