Oregon Shores is one of eight founding members of the Oregon Ocean Alliance, who collectively aim to advance the protection of Oregon’s ocean and coastal ecosystems.
We are proud to be a member of the Oregon Ocean Alliance, alongside Bird Alliance of Oregon, The Nature Conservancy, Surfrider Foundation, Seven Capes Bird Alliance, Environment Oregon, Coast Range Association, and Oceana.
Working Collaboratively
Core Priorities
As an Alliance, we work together on shared priorities related to habitat protection and funding for ocean conservation efforts in Oregon. Our geographic scope includes federal and state ocean waters, and coastal habitats such as estuaries and beaches. Through 2025, our chosen core priorities are:
Kelp and Eelgrass Conservation
Advocating for the state to set conservation targets and increase legal protections for these essential coastal habitats
Rocky Habitat Protection
Ensuring permanent funding and support to implement the state’s Rocky Habitat Management Strategy
Strong Marine Reserves
Protecting the integrity of the Marine Reserve Program and expanding its capacity to monitor ocean changes
Heceta Bank Complex Protection
Increasing public awareness of and exploring protections for this unique biodiversity hotspot
Enhanced Funding for Ocean Conservation
Exploring new state, federal, and legislative funding opportunities to maximize conservation efforts
Kelp and Eelgrass Conservation
Kelp and eelgrass have a lot in common. They are both “blue carbon” vegetative habitats that sequester climate-warming carbon dioxide, they offer habitat for a variety of marine species, they improve water quality, they support coastal economies and entire marine food webs, and they are declining along the Oregon coast.
We are raising awareness about the loss of Oregon’s kelp forests and turning our attention to move existing kelp restoration efforts forward in 2026. In 2025, the Oregon Ocean Alliance is addressing eelgrass loss by campaigning for the passage of the Eelgrass Action Bill, aimed at setting state conservation targets for this invaluable resource.

Rocky Habitat Protection
Oregon’s rocky habitats are famous for their abundance of life in tidepools, easily accessed at low tide by the public. However, these rocky habitats are being loved to death by coastal visitors. Oregon’s Rocky Habitat Management Strategy was updated in 2023 to include eight new sites designated for protection, research, and community stewardship. The alliance endorses these protections, and wants to ensure management plans for these new sites are implemented effectively and community groups are empowered to steward these special areas well into the future.
In 2025, we are pursuing legislation to secure funding for the Department of Land Conservation and Development to continue coordinating with community groups in the stewardship of these sites.

Strong Marine Reserves
Many members of the alliance, including Oregon Shores, were advocates for the designation of Oregon’s Marine Reserves. In 2024, we banded together to advocate for legislation that invested in the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Marine Reserve Program, to enhance community engagement and long-term environmental monitoring. We succeeded in this campaign, as the first “win” as an alliance.
Now, the Governor’s recommended budget for 2025-2027 proposes to strip this money away from the Marine Reserve program. We are working hard to ensure this doesn’t happen, and to protect the integrity of this critical conservation program.

Heceta Bank Complex Protection
Located approximately 35 miles West of Cape Perpetua is an undersea rocky reef teeming with life. This unique geological site is one of the most biologically productive regions in the East Pacific Ocean due to its exceptionally nutrient-rich waters. Yet, few people are aware of this special place. We are laying the groundwork to seek future protections for this site, starting with coalition building and public education.

Enhanced Funding for Ocean Conservation
Coastal communities all across the country saw unprecedented federal funding in coastal resilience and conservation in recent years. We want to keep this trend going. The alliance plans to use its network to explore new opportunities for funding, and leverage federal, state, and legislative funding opportunities to expand conservation efforts on the Oregon coast.

Making Waves of Change
Our 2025 Legislative Campaign
One of our overarching goals is to enhance the visibility of ocean issues in the Oregon legislature and organize campaigns around policies affecting our ocean resources. The Oregon Ocean Alliance has taken a leadership role in campaigning for the passage of two bills introduced in the 2025 legislative session. We are working diligently to build support for these bills, which would collectively increase the resilience of Oregon’s coast and support biodiversity by allocating state funding to important conservation programs. You can help us protect these critical habitats and support the responsible management of marine resources by supporting our campaign. Learn more about our legislative priorities.
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
13
Feb
Coastal Event
Volunteer STEAM Coach Training