Protecting Oregon’s Coastal Investments from Invasive Species

September 17th, 2024 |  9 am - 1:00 pm*

The purpose of this event, hosted by the Oregon Invasive Species Council, is to highlight the critical work being done along the Oregon coast to prevent and manage invasive species and to identify gaps and challenges that may hinder this progress in the future. Participants will receive an overview of how invasive species management plays a crucial role in protecting investments in coastal resources and how, without preparedness and planning, new invasive species pathways can rapidly overwhelm existing management safeguards. Over the course of the field tour, participants will learn about the importance of coalition building across multiple jurisdictions for successful invasive species prevention, planning, and capacity building, what is at risk if these efforts aren’t undertaken, and the successes and challenges facing invasive species management in Coos Bay and throughout coastal Oregon. Participants will have the unique opportunity to hear from and interact with experts in the field as well as with entities whose investments, livelihoods, and culture are impacted or threatened by invasive species while touring those very at-risk locations.

The event aims to:

• Showcase the impacts that invasive species have on our landscape and communities. Highlighted species will include green crab, spartina cord grass, Port Orford Cedar root rot, insect pests, biofouling organisms, smallmouth bass, reed canary grass, etc.

• Discuss potential new threats that may arrive via vectors such as biofouling and other shipping- and transportation-related pathways.

• Highlight the productive partnerships and diversified collaborations that are required to address the threats posed by invasive species to the local ecology, economy, and cultural resources.

• Provide a platform for discussing current projects and efforts related to invasive species prevention, control, and mitigation.

• Identify and discuss the challenges and future needs for invasive species management in Coos Bay and throughout coastal Oregon.

This event's target audience includes members of local print media, elected officials and other decision-makers, and local stakeholders. The tour will feature brief presentations of ongoing projects and prevention efforts along the route, including a walking tour to the Charleston Marina and the OIMB boathouse for lunch and a question-and-answer session. An optional loop route on the return will add two additional stops to learn more about invasive species removal and restoration efforts spotlighting work at the South Slough Estuarine Research Reserve.

Hotel Block: TBA