Spring events are just around the corner!

Spring is a special time in the Pacific Northwest, when the winter rains let up and we even have a few beautiful windless days before the blustery summer days set in.  If you are getting cabin fever, here are a couple of opportunities for you to get out, learn about the ocean, and even volunteer to help make our beaches even better.  So, shake off those raindrops and get out there!


SOLVe Beach Cleanup
When: Saturday, March 22nd
Where: 45 site along the Oregon Coast
For all of you who want to get out and help make a difference for our beautiful Oregon beaches,  SOLVe will be hosting its annual beach cleanup on Saturday, March 22nd along 45 cleanup sites.  Volunteering usually only takes an hour or so, and makes a big difference for our beaches, especially after winter storms! This is a great pet- and kid-friendly event. 
Volunteer information and Locations.











Hatfield Marine Science Day Marine Science Day
When: Saturday, April 12th
Where: Hatfield Marine Science Center (Visitor's Center)
Come down to HMSC and learn about all aspects of our oceans, including biodiversity, oceanographic processes, fish, mammals, and birds.  Get a peak of some of the real research being conducted at Hatfield right now!  This is a great event for families, and those who want to learn more about some of the great things happening in our community.
More information.













Hatfield Marine Science Center Fossil Fest
When: Saturday, April 26th
Where: Hatfield Marine Science Center (Visitor's Center)
Sure to be a day full of fun for us beachcombing fanatics, the annual Fossil Fest is going to be taking place all day at HMSC.  Join members of the North American Research Group to learn more about fossils that can be found along Oregon's coastlines and other regions.  If you have a fossil you would like to learn more about (who doesn't?), bring it in!
More information.













Whale Watching Spoken Here
When: March 22- March 29
Where: 24 sites along the Oregon coast
Join volunteers along 24 prime whale-watching locations along the entire Oregon coast.  Learn more about the migration of the Eastern Gray Whale as these beautiful and unique animals migrate from their winter breeding grounds in Baja to their summer feeding sites in Alaska.  Volunteers are on site to lend binoculars, answer questions, and provide interesting facts about gray whale life history.
More information and Locations. 

NOAA Updates Debris Model; Addressing an Environmental Disaster in Slow Motion

As of September 23, NOAA has updated their GNOME debris model to include the latest calculations of the debris field across the Pacific- this is the first  update for fall, and shows a field that stretches all the way from the northern tip of Alaska to the south point of Mexico in the Eastern Pacific.  The nucleus of debris slowly inching towards the West Coast of North America, and will likely continue to do so.

NOAA's newest model of the debris field.  Click on the image for the original, larger version. [Credit: NOAA]

So what does this mean?  It means that tsunami debris will be washing up unpredictably, significantly, and reliably for years to come. Due to ocean circulation, some debris may be trapped in ocean gyres for years before it breaks free and washes up on coastlines.  Some may even drift back to Japan and Asian coasts.

This presents a major problem for states and governments who are struggling to clean up debris- money allotted now may be well exhausted before swaths of debris wash up unexpectedly in future years due to storms and other events.  The environmental impacts of debris will likely last for decades, as there is no easy way to clean up debris, especially in international waters where governments are hesitant to expend their own resources and money.

The impacts on animals and invasive species are likely to be numerous.  There have been two instances of live vertebrate animals washing ashore in debris- one fish, and a live bird that washed ashore in a blue fish bin in Hawaii this March. This is in addition to the scores of live invertebrates- sea stars, barnacles, mussels, algae (seaweed), snails, clams, crabs, and a number of other species that have been identified as invasive.

This highlights the need for continued funding for cleanups (which is fortunately happening in many states), volunteer efforts, and monitoring the problem.  The ultimate impact of these events will cost in the billions of dollars over a long period of time.


SOLVE Beach and Riverside Cleanup
As a last note, if you want to get out and make a difference in Oregon this weekend, SOLVE is still accepting volunteers for its annual cleanup of the Oregon coastline.  This project covers sites along the entire coast, and with three hours of your time, you can make a major difference in beach debris- especially after last week's ocean storm!

What to do:  Visit the SOLVE Beach and Riverside Cleanup Website, choose a site near you, and show up in weather-appropriate attire at the time listed on the website.  Gloves and bags are provided!