Action shot from our Citizen Survey Day. (Photo: Sara Quinn, sara-quinn.com)

It’s September, which means that marbled murrelet nesting season is over. We wish all of the nesting pairs and juvenile sea birds the best of luck as they relocate to the Pacific Ocean for the winter.

Our volunteers worked hard this season and documented murrelet activity in nine different threatened areas in the Coast Range– mostly on State and Bureau of Land Management land. Twelve volunteers attended a professional training in Northern California to become certified Marbled Murrelet Observers with the Pacific Seabird Group, and collectively we’ve put in over 1,400 volunteer hours since this spring.

Thank you for all of your support; without you this would not have been possible!

Are you interested in getting more involved? Right now the Department of State Lands is considering a number of proposals on the future of the Elliott State Forest including the possibility of privatizing all 92,000 acres of public forest land. The DSL has already sold off land on the Western edge of the forest with no respect for public process. It is time for Coos and Douglas County residents to get together and say “No way!” to privatization in our back yard.

Mixed conifer and myrtlewood canopy in Benson Ridge, now owned by Scott Timber. We spotted murrelets flying below the canopy days before the sale closed! (Photo: Dan Prahl)

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UPCOMING EVENTS:

On Thursday, October 2nd, at 6 pm we will be holding our first monthly public meeting. Join us in a discussion about how we can elevate local voices in the fight to save the Elliott State Forest. We’ll be in the small conference room at the North Bend Public Library; coffee and light snacks provided.

On Wednesday, October 8th, from 3-6 pm the State Land Board will visit North Bend to hear public comment on the future of the Elliott State Forest. This is our opportunity to let them know how we feel about privatization in the Elliott. Show up early to sign up for public comment. Your voice counts!

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Again, thank you for your support! Stay tuned for updates on the State Land Board and our Annual Fall Mushroom Hike, which will be in the Elliott in late October.