EOTSC20160121 (cm) CoastWatch - King Tide celebration

Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition

P.O. Box 33

Seal Rock, OR  97376

CONTACT:  Fawn Custer, (541) 270-0027, fawn@oregonshores.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

High tides and sea level rise may not be things to celebrate, but the CoastWatch program is inviting one and all to celebrate the conclusion of the 2015 King Tide Project, through which volunteer photographers document these highest tides of the year.  Local co-sponsor of the event will be Washed Ashore.

The party takes place this Friday, Jan. 22, at Bandon’s Harbortown Events Center (325 2^nd St., S.E.), beginning at 5:30 p.m.  Whether or not you made it out to the shore to snap the “King Tides,” you are invited to learn more about the project, view the best of this year’s photos, and get a jump on the 2016 version that will take place next fall.

Speaking to the group will be Rebecca Flitcroft, a research fish biologist with the U.S. Forest Service.  She will be speaking on “Survival in Times of Change:  Climate and Salmon.”  She will look at the many challenging environments through which salmon pass on their migrations, and the ways that climate change may add to those challenges to survival.  Flitcroft’s research focuses on aquatic systems from the headwaters to the ocean, and she has studied how sea level rise and other climate impacts may affect estuaries in particular.

There will also be brief talks on the project and on citizen science, and plenty of time to eat, drink, and socialize.  The event is free and open to all.  Snacks will be provided; beverages are being donated by Seven Devils Brewery.  Our local partner for this event is the Washed Ashore Project.

For more information, contact Fawn Custer, CoastWatch volunteer coordinator, (541) 270-0027, fawn@oregonshores.org.  Background on the project can also be found on the website, http://oregonshores.org/coastwatch.php5.