The Coast Range Forest Watch has wrapped up our 2013 survey for marbled murrelets in the Elliott State Forest. We had a very successful season with generous support from our many volunteers. The Coast Rangers extensively surveyed four locations within the forest including three timber sales and one proposed land sale parcel. You can find summaries of our most significant findings below in our previous updates. By the numbers, we logged over 500 volunteer hours yielding 131 detections of marbled murrelets. We completed 31 surveys with our four trained observers and seventeen volunteers throughout the season. These surveys included documented occupied behavior in two sites which were previously not designated as murrelet nesting areas. We are working with the Oregon Department of Forestry to ensure that these sites are protected as marbled murrelet management areas and will post further updates in these efforts as they develop.

We are already planning for the 2014 season which will include more public hikes and public survey days. We have also recently attained 501(c)3 status as a non-profit group and will be working to secure grants for our upcoming season. Please contact us if you are interested in volunteering with us in the upcoming season, helping organize community events, or are just curious to learn more about the project. Thanks to all who braved the early mornings to survey with us, and to our individual financial donors. Through your support we were able to minimize our out of pocket expenses for the operational costs of this volunteer project. We look forward to seeing you at our future events!