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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• 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