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.

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