Caring for Kelp Forests

Feb. 8 science pub at Pelican Brewing offers chance to learn about efforts to restore underwater kelp forests

Audubon Society of Lincoln City and the Oregon Kelp Alliance will host a Science at the Pub presentation titled “Working for Healthy Kelp Forests in Oregon,”

Wednesday, Feb. 8, 6 p.m., at Pelican Brewing Company, 33180 Cape Kiwanda Dr., Pacific City.

Organizers of the event note that Oregon’s kelp forests are vital habitat for an amazing variety of marine species that sustain life and livelihoods on the Oregon coast. They say productive kelp forests support the state’s local fisheries by providing food and shelter for marine life and protect our coastlines from coastal erosion by buffering wave action. Officials also assert that those lucky enough to dive in a healthy kelp forest experience unparalleled biodiversity and a unique beauty. But around the world, kelp forests are declining at what’s been described as an alarming rate due to climate change and resulting ecological imbalance. Scientists say their loss is detrimental to ocean health and coastal communities. Groups like the Oregon Kelp Alliance (ORKA) are working to address this crisis.

A diverse group of divers, scientists, natural resource managers, fishermen, ecotour guides, chefs, and others have joined to form the Oregon Kelp Alliance with the mission to better understand, preserve, and restore Oregon’s kelp forests. Efforts include kelp forest restoration at multiple sites, including at Chief Kiwanda Rock and nearby Cape Lookout. ORKA is piloting sea urchin/dulse (seaweed) mariculture and is launching a coastwide status report and restoration plan for Oregon. ORKA co-founder Tom Calvanese will present on the ecology of kelp, efforts to restore healthy kelp forests, and how the public can be involved in this important work.

This event is co-hosted by the Audubon Society of Lincoln City and the Oregon Kelp Alliance. The event is free and open to the public. Beverages and food will be available for purchase at Pelican Brewing Company.

Audubon Society of Lincoln City was founded as a chapter of the National Audubon Society in 2005. A nonprofit membership organization, ASLC is active in education and advocacy for protection of birds, other wildlife, and their habitats in Lincoln and Tillamook Counties.

Learn more at https://www. lincolncityaudubon.org/

Oregon Kelp Alliance is a diverse coalition of stakeholders working to support healthy kelp forests off the Oregon Coast through education, research, and direct action.

Learn more at https://www.oregonkelp. com/.

Library seeks patron input

The Tillamook County Library system is seeking input from patrons via a series of community listening sessions — including a live event on Thursday, Feb. 16, 6-7 p.m., at the South Tillamook County Library, 6200 Camp St., Pacific City.

There are also three virtual community listening sessions on the agenda – Feb. 9, 10-11 a.m., Feb. 21, 2-3 p.m., and March 8, 7-8 p.m. Those interested in the virtual sessions will need to register in advance by calling 503-842-2792.

The listening sessions are being billed as an opportunity to share ideas and visions for the future with Tillamook County Library Director Don Allgeier.

“The library is asking folks what challenges they are facing in their communities and what role the library could play in helping with those challenges,” Allgeier told the Sun “The goal is to understand what the library can be doing to help support the informational, educational, and cultural needs in the communities that make up Tillamook County. Once the listening sessions have concluded at the end of March, the Library Board will review the feedback from the sessions along with information from the annual community surveys to form a strategic plan that will focus the library’s efforts over the next five years.”

For more information, visit tillabook. org /library/page/planning-future.

Pool tournaments resume

The Sportsman’s Pub-n-Grub, located at 34975 Brooten Road in Pacific City resumed its Sunday Pool Tournaments on Sunday, Jan. 22. Practices will start at 1 p.m. on Sunday afternoons with tournaments beginning at 2 p.m. Players will be vying for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes, with the prize money coming from the pot (via entry fees). The Sportsman’s is well known for its fresh-caught dory fish and local oysters. For more information, call 503-965-9991.