8,182 supporters
16,331 donations collected
Who We Are
Our Vision and Strategy for the Coast
In Oregon, the beaches belong to the people. For more than 50 years, Oregon Shores has served as the state’s leading voice when it comes to protecting the beaches, headlands, landscapes, and ecosystems that make Oregon’s coast so spectacular and loved.
More about us
What We Do
Our Programs and Campaigns
Discover our latest campaigns focused on education and mile adoption, enhancing estuarine ecosystem resilience, and combatting climate change for a sustainable Oregon Coast.
CoastWatch
CoastWatch offers opportunities to learn about shoreline ecology and contribute to coastal research and conservation by adopting a mile of the Oregon coast.
Campaign for Oregon’s Estuaries
The Campaign for Oregon’s Estuaries aims to build a strong popular movement for conserving our estuarine resources based on a broad public understanding of the importance of these ecosystems, where rivers meet the sea.
Oregon Beaches Forever
Our mission is to safeguard Oregon's public beaches for future generations and ensure the preservation of our coastlines and communities as we adapt to climate change
Marine Legislation
The 2025 legislative session offers a unique opportunity to advocate for conservation and urge decision-makers to prioritize Oregon’s invaluable coastal ecosystems
Oregon Takes Action to Conserve, Protect, and Restore our Natural Spaces in the Face of Climate Change
As a member of the Oregon Ocean Alliance, Oregon Shores is proud to have played an integral role in providing input and recommendations to the...
Nov 13, 2025
Coastal Testimonials
Stories from the Shoreline
Coastal Community Connections
No more posts
Heading to a Lobby Day soon? Want to feel more confident navigating the Capitol and meeting with legislators? Never participated in state-level advocacy before, but curious how it works?
Join us for a webinar hosted by Oregon Shores and the Leo Company, Effective Legislative Advocacy 101. This training will cover the basics of engaging in state policy advocacy, how to have effective meetings with legislators, and practical tips for advocates of all experience levels
Register Today: https://bit.ly/45T35K8 ...
Join us for the 4th Annual Surf & Sun Walk & Run! March 21, 2026 in Florence, Oregon!
Sign Up Today: https://bit.ly/surf_sun_26
For the first time ever, we`ll be hosting our Surf & Sun Walk & Run In-Person! Starting and ending at Florence Event Center, this family-friendly race will loop along the estuary and through beautiful downtown Florence.
Rally your friends, family, and colleagues to support every mile you conquer. With their donations, you’ll amplify your impact and help Oregon Shores protect coastal ecosystems, landscapes, and communities. ...
Traveling Trash Webinar
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
6pm- 7:30pm PST
https://bit.ly/4a0D8uv
During 2025, Shelby Smith from the Oregon Coast Aquarium collected 6,134 pieces of marine debris on beaches near Newport, OR. Out of all of these pieces, this bright yellow bottle cap caught Shelby’s eye and led her on an investigation to identify it. With the help of a Reddit thread, Shelby confirmed that this bottle cap was from 1996 and part of the “Pepsi Stuff” marketing campaign.
Between 1995-1996, Pepsi encouraged customers to collect Pepsi points from their soda labels that could be exchanged for exclusive Pepsi merchandise. Merch prizes ranged from aviator sunglasses and t-shirts, to leather jackets and a Harrier Jet! (IYKYK, and if you’re curious- look up the “Pepsi, Where’s My Jet?” documentary on Netflix!)
The soda caps were part of the “Twist and Win” portion of the contest. Under one cap was a $50,000 prize, which a woman in Arkansas won.
Join us to learn more about the fascinating pieces of marine debris that Shelby found last year during the upcoming webinar hosted by @OregonShoresCC
#OregonShores #OregonCoastAquarium #TravelingTrash #PepsiStuffBottleCap #MarineDebris ...
Stop by Oregon Shores` table at A Decade of Dance, Culture & Ocean Care, at @baycityartscenter on February 6th from 5-7pm.
Bay City Arts Center February Artist of the Month, Eduardo Cruz and cultural group, Huehca Omeyocan, will perform an immersive cultural event with Indigenous music and dance ensemble dedicated to sharing the ancestral traditions of the Anahuac (Mesoamerican) people through performance, percussion, and movement and in honor of our oceans. Cruz’s work will be featured in the downstairs Artist of the Month Gallery.
He will also have some items outside the upstairs performance hall for his 2/7 performance with Huehca Omeyocan ancestral cultural group highlight their annual ocean celebration. This annual celebration is a cultural dance honoring our healing ocean, and Cruz has welcomed local environmental advocacy groups to host an information table at his downstairs gallery. ...
Mark your calendars for February 12th and meet us at the Capitol.
Join Oregon Shores volunteers for a coordinated Ocean Lobby Day hosted by the Oregon Ocean Alliance.
We’ll meet with legislators to advocate for shared ocean priorities, with space to lift up both Oregon Ocean Alliance and Oregon Shores issues. No lobbying experience needed, we’ll have an orientation before we hit the meetings—just bring your love for the coast and a willingness to speak up for Oregon’s ocean. Keep an eye out for more information ...
Join Us for a Mile by Mile Meet-up and COASST Survey
Come join us on a guided walk along one of Oregon’s beach miles as we introduce the CoastWatch program, complete a Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team (COASST) report, learn about other community science opportunities, and complete a mile report together. This casual, hands-on outing is open to everyone from current Adopt-a-Mile volunteers to anyone curious about getting involved. It’s a great way to learn about the power of observation, connect with others who care about the coast, and experience the beauty of the Oregon Coast.
We’ll meet at 3 pm at the Tillamook Bay North Jetty parking lot in Barview, Oregon. We will survey beached birds for the first 1 kilometer, and then walk an additional .6 km to survey the rest of Mile 290 along the beach before turning around and heading back to the vehicles.
Please register below to let us know if you are able to join us and receive email updates on the event!
bit.ly/mbm290 ...
Join Shelby Smith, Conservation Engagement Manager from the Oregon Coast Aquarium, to learn how changing ocean currents impact where trash moves along the Oregon Coast.
Ever wonder why some seasons bring more trash to our beaches than others? Join us for a seminar exploring the story behind seasonal marine debris patterns along the central Oregon coast. Using data collected throughout 2025 with NOAA, Nurdle Patrol, and Oregon State University, we’ll uncover how tides, storms, and currents shape what washes ashore, and what that means for our ocean health.
This year’s findings include a record number of nurdles detected along Oregon beaches and fascinating insights from king tide events that amplified debris movement and reshaped our coastlines. Discover these trends, learn how community science makes a difference, and find out how you can help keep Oregon’s beaches clean year-round. ...
SAVE THE DATE! Surf & Sun Virtual Walk & Run is going to be IN-PERSON this year. We`ll see you in Florence, Oregon on March 21st!
Register before February 22nd for Early Bird pricing!
https://bit.ly/surf_sun_26 ...
Your very first Oregon Shores Newsletter of 2026 has landed in your inbox. Subscribe today to receive your monthly tide of news, events, and coastal victories!
https://bit.ly/49LLF2W ...
Join us for a relaxed, in-person gathering bringing together project volunteers, Adventure Scientists team members, and partners involved in the Searching for Killer Whales project. Whether you’re a current volunteer or curious about joining, this late-afternoon event is the perfect opportunity to meet and connect with the community, celebrate the important role volunteers play, and discover how your efforts can support killer whale conservation.
Event Date:
Saturday, January 31, 2026 | 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Event Location:
13th Moon Gravity Well, located in Southeast Portland, OR
What to Expect:
Time to connect with fellow volunteers, Adventure Scientists team members, and project partners
Short, informal presentations from the Adventure Scientists team, project advisors and partners
Interactive whale-themed trivia
Upcoming opportunities to get involved with Adventure Scientists
Come ready to connect, learn, and enjoy a fun, low-key afternoon with the community behind this important work! ...
A sperm whale, approximately 15 feet in length, washed up on Bay Ocean Spit in early January and was spotted by ORPD Ranger Simon Freeman. The average female sperm whale is 36-40 feet in length, and average male 52 feet but can grow much larger. They are the largest toothed whale species. Based on size and teeth that were not fully developed this whale calf appears very young, possibly less than a year old.
On January 13, 2026, a necropsy was performed and samples were collected from the whale. Results are pending.
To report a live or dead marine mammal found on the Oregon Coast, contact NOAA’s West Coast Region Stranding Hotline at 1-866-767-6114. ...
Join Denise Harrington at the @coasst Beached Bird Survey Training this Saturday in Seaside from 9am to 2:30pm. The training will be located at the South Campus of Clatsop Community College (the one in Seaside!)(1455 N Roosevelt Dr. Seaside, OR 97138). This is a great way to meet fellow beach walkers and level up on your ability to make a difference for the environment! Contact [email protected] for more information. ...
We’ve got tons of programming on the south coast, now through 1/4/26!
Check out our latest events at bit.ly/oregonshores-events ...
Winter Whale Watch Week starts on 12/27!
Oregon Shores and @adventurescientists are hosting 3 opportunities to watch for whales and learn more about our Searching For Killer Whales project.
Find an event near you: https://bit.ly/oregonshores-events ...
Discover the CoastWatch Program—One Mile at a Time
Spend an afternoon on the beach with us for a guided beach walk and learn how everyday observations help protect Oregon’s coastline.
We’ll share what CoastWatch is all about, highlight ways to get involved in community science, and practice completing a mile report together.
This welcoming, low-key outing is perfect for newcomers, curious beachgoers, and current Adopt-a-Mile volunteers alike.
Come enjoy the coast, meet others who care about it, and see how your time on the beach can make a real impact.
Register Today: https://bit.ly/oregonshores-events ...