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The Lower Nehalem CommunityTrust is a member supported, nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation and restoration of natural lands in the Lower Nehalem River Watershed/Neahkahnie Mountain region of Oregon.

We have an opportunity to determine the landscape for the next millennium. The Lower Nehalem Community Trust invites you to help us protect the scenic vistas, sparkling rivers and bays, and dense forests which define the northern coast of Oregon.

Our work includes:

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5th Annual Living Locally – Live Experience Auction Items

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 Don’t miss your chance to bid on these unique experiences only found at the LNCT Living Locally fundraising dinner auction featuring Peter Newman & Liz Cole!   It’s time to start planning your bidding strategies.  If you can’t make it to the dinner, get a friend to attend and act as your proxy—or let us assign a proxy for you! 

1.  NINETEENTH CENTURY SAILING TRIP ON NEHALEM BAY FOR TWO                  Four-hour sailing excursion on the  “Ursa Minor,” a Pearson 18′  Classic Cutter. Departure and Return (Wednesdays only by prior arrangement) from Wheeler Marina based on High Tide and Wind Conditions July through October 2012.   Two crew positions.  Sailing lessons included by owner/instructor Michael Stanley of Cannon Beach.  Donated by Michael Stanley – Value: $400 

2.  HISTORY WALK                                                                                                       Have you ever wondered about the distant history of the Nehalem Valley and Neahkahnie Mountain region?  What was life like here for the native people who made this valley home hundreds of years ago? And what about the first European explorers to this area?  What do we know about those early cross cultural contacts?  If you would like to learn more about our fascinating local history this experience is for you.  Tom Mock, Nehalem Valley Historical Society President, has a day of hands-on history planned for a group of four.  Start out at the Historical Society office in downtown Manzanita where Tom will give an overview of our distant history, including an insiders look into local historic artifacts.  This will be followed with a hike exploring important sites relating to Native American communities and early European contact, which will be tailored to your abilities.  Mutually agreeable low tide date to be arranged. – Donated by Tom Mock – Value: $250

3. LNCT COMMUNITY GARDEN DINNER FOR EIGHT                                                  A magical evening at Alder Creek Farm with your private dinner party for eight.  Imagine a dinner made with fresh ingredients from the garden and local purveyors.  This memorable dinner will feature linens, candles and the ambiance of Alder Creek Farm and will include apertif, starters, salad, entree and dessert with two wine pairings.  A July or August date to be arranged with Alder Creek Farm Kitchen Garden Staff.   Donated by Sue Griffith, Karen Matthews and Community Gardeners – Value: $350

4.  CRABBING EXPEDITION ON THE NEHALEM BAY FOR SIX                                  A two-hour boat rental, 16 foot boat with 8 HP motor, 3 baited crab rings, life jackets, bucket, measure, anchor, oar, whistle, plus crab cooking and all the expert advice you’ll want: where the best spots are, how to set the rings, everything you want to know about crabbing on the bay.  You and five of your friends can enjoy this special time on the bay and bring home dinner.  With your license you can even get in some clamming!  Donated by Shirley Laviolette, Jetty Fishery – Retail value: $100

5. AN ECO-RETREAT, CHEESE & WINE TASTING AT MONTEILLET FROMAGERIE FOR UP TO SIX + DINNER GIFT CERTIFICATE FROM WEINHARD’S CAFE               This is a magical destination for those who love goat and sheep cheeses paired alongside locally-crafted and award-winning wines.  Monteillet Fromagerie, a 32-acre farmstead and fromagerie boast a beautiful French-inspired “gite” or holiday home.  This package includes two nights for up to six in the riverside “gite: with fully stocked referigerated filled with goat cheese, fresh eggs, farm produce, fresh milk, butter, baked bread and cured meats, bacon or sausages.  Seasonal vegetables are also available at the CSA garden on the farm.  The private cheese tasking for your group will be hosted by the cheesemakers themselves and paired with local Washington wines and lore of this beautiful landscape as well as the Roquefort region of France, birthplace of owner Pierre-Louis Monteillet.  The eco-retreat includes a gift certificate for the Weinhard Cafe in Downtown Dayton. Donated by Pierre-Louis & Joan Monteillet & Brad McMasters from Weinhard Cafe  – Suggested value: $800

6.  STAYCATION FOR TWO IN TOLOVANA                                                               Just a short drive up Hwy 101 you’ll find the sweetest, most comfortable vintage hotel: The Wavecrest. Innkeeper Hank Pender is looking forward to hosting two LNCT supporters for two nights at his very special inn.  This staycation includes gift certificates from The Warren House and The Irish Table. You don’t have to travel far to get relaxed and enjoy one of the best vacation spots on the coast.  Donated by: Hank Pender, Irish Table, Warren House – Retail value: $275

7.  CHEESE & WINE TASTING/PAIRING FOR EIGHT                                                Wine and cheese is one of the great, classic culinary pairings and artisans in the Pacific Northwest are increasingly producing some of the best of both of these. Explore the range and bounty of artisan made cheese and wine from Oregon and Washington with Erich Miller, Trust coordinator and local cheese expert.  Erich will share his knowledge of the craft of cheese making and the art of pairing wines and cheeses.  This private tasting for eight, with four cheese and wines to pair, to be arranged on a date and at a location of your choosing.  Donated by Erich Miller – Suggested value:  $250

8.  FOLEY PEAK SUMMIT HIKE + YOGA +  LUNCH FOR FOUR                                 The Nehalem Valley rests between two distinct peaks: Onion Peak and the less explored Foley Peak. Outdoor enthusiasts & seasoned guides Dan and Abby Spotskey will lead this hike to Foley Peak where up to four people will enjoy stunning backcountry vistas. Abby, a certified yoga instructor will offer a yoga session enroute—imagine yoga in the mountains!   Prior yoga experience helpful but not mandatory. The Spotskeys have led trips locally and nationally including Grand Canyon river trips and will share their knowledge and maybe a few stories of these outdoor expeditions.  This hike includes lunch with a view, catered by Bread & Ocean.   Mutually agreeable date to be arranged.  Donated by Abby & Dan Spotskey, lunch donated by Bread & Ocean  – Suggested value:  $200

9.  A PORTLAND SPORTS + CLASSIC DELI SUMMER ADVENTURE                      This is a Portland two-fer that will make July 28 more special a day than it already is.   Two tickets to the sold out Timbers game + a gift certiticate for two at Kenny & Zukes in SW Portland.   Aren’t we lucky to have Portland as our local urban playground? Get ready for a summer day of sports fun and a favorite Portland deli adventure.  Sounds like a perfect summer day!  Donated by Toni and David Clay – Value: $130

10.  GASTRONOMIC TOUR OF THE REGIONS OF FRANCE                                    Local chef Dick Huneke will prepare a dinner for four exploring the regions of France.  Along with his artistry of cooking from scratch, Dick and his wife Janet can share stories of building a house from scratch!  Enjoy this Francophile meal including apertifi, soup entree, salad and desert all of which will leave you saying ook-la-la!  Mututally agreeable low tide date to be arranged.  Donated by Dick Huneke and Janet Robinson – Value: $200

11.  PORTLAND AT ITS BEST—WITH A BIRD ON IT!                                            Portland Walking Tours will lead you on a 2.5-hour (hill-free) walk featuring the best of the best of Portland.  Coastal-types as well as Portland natives will be surprised at what they discover of the real inside stories, little known facts and some of the Rose City’s best kept secrets. After the tour enjoy dinner at the new Aviary restaurant—an adventuresome menu in true Portland style.  Put a bird on this experience!   Walking tour is available April through November daily and on a limited weekend schedule.  Donated by David Schargel, Portland Walking Tours + Aviary Restaurant – Value $100

12.  WINERY TOUR & TASTING FOR UP TO 10                                                           Two-hour private winemaker tour and tasting for up to 10 guests at Freja Cellars in Hillsboro.  Learn the wine-making process and what goes on in the vineyard. Wines to be tasted include three Pinot Noirs: 2007 reserve wine and two estate wines 2008 and 2009.  In addition, a 2009 Pinot Noir rose will be poured.  Winery tour to be arranged with the winemaker on a mutually agreeable weekend.  Donated by Willy Gianopolus  – Value $300

13.  LEARNING TO GATHER AND COOK THIS LOCAL DELICACY—MUSSEL HUNTING WITH VIVI                                                                                                          A mussel gathering trip for four to Falcon Cove on a low tide.  Relative agility and a $7 shellfish license for those over 14 years old is required—a perfect outing to share with children or grandchildren.   The area Vivi will introduce you to is rich in this resource and is within the newly established Cape Falcon Marine Reserve—but this particular fishery in Falcon Cove has been exempted, due to longtime local use.   Minimal gear is required: shoes with scrambling tread (tennis shoes or teva type sandals), a pocket knife and a plastic bag.  Light gardening gloves are a nice addition when clambering over barnacle encrusted rocks.  Depending on time of year, Vivi will also share her knowledge of other plants and animals as they appear seasonally in the tidal habitat.   Then Vivi will return to your home to show you how to prepare the bounty to enjoy!   Mutually agreeable low tide date to be arranged.Donated by Vivi Tallman – Suggested Value $150

14.  NORTHWEST BONSAI                                                                                           With this auction item the ancient Japanese art of bonsai meets the pacific northwest forests. Local bonsai enthusiast, Eunice Massey, will share her decades of experience, leading the winner of this auction item through the process of selecting a wildling Western Hemlock, digging it, preparing it to be potted and training it.  She will also provide instruction on how to care for your new all-local bonsai.  Additionally, local potter Allan Olson will provide a one of a kind hand-made bonsai pot to hold your new bonsai.  Mutually agreeable date to be arranged.   Donated by Eunice Massie and Allan Olson – Suggested Value $180

HERE IT COMES! Our 5th Annual Living Locally Event

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JOIN US SATURDAY, JUNE 16TH FROM 6:00-9:00 PM AT OUR NEW VENUE: THE NORTH COUNTY RECREATION DISTRICT GYM FOR LIVING LOCALLY.

THE HOTTEST TICKET IN TOWN!
• DINE
• WINE
• DIVINE AUCTION
• SUBLIME GUESTS
• PRIME EXPERIENCES
ALL TO BE FOUND NOWHERE ELSE!
ONLY 100 TICKETS WILL BE SOLD—GET YOURS TODAY!

New this year!  Reserved Round Tables for Groups of 8, $500/ea
And…the fabulous sounds of Shy Jazz Duo

What to wear?  Why Coastal Gala Casual, of course!

We’ve moved to a bigger venue so more of you can attend and we’ll have plenty of space to enjoy the evening, the music, the food, the auctions and the speaker.  Guest chef Monica Gianopulos has just put the finishing touches on her all-local menu for the 5th annual Living Locally gala.   The buffet dinner has something for everyone.  Are you a vegan?  Let us know and we’ll make sure you are treated well.  We’ll be celebrating our 10th Anniversary with a special guest.  Our crew is busily gathering up delights for the silent auction and everyone is strategizing for their bidding on the unique experiences to be found only at LNCT’s Living Locally experience auction.  (The experiences will be posted on our website beginning May 15.) Let this be your year to enjoy a lively social evening while supporting a cause you care about—Lower Nehalem Community Trust.   This event is always a sell-out.  Don’t be disappointed, but your ticket today.  Members always enjoy discounts to our events and Living Locally is no exception.   Tickets prices are $50 for LNCT members and $65 for non-members.   Remember, only 100 tickets are sold, so purchase early!   Won’t you join us this year?   Call 503-368-3203 to purchase your tickets today.

The Brown Pelican: Pelicanus occidentalis

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 I had the pleasure a couple of weekends ago of sitting out on Cape Falcon watching a large flock of pelicans resting on the rocks below.   The brown pelican, the smallest of the 8 members of the larger pelican clan, is, nonetheless, a very large bird.  Brown pelicans average four feet in length, between 6 and 12 pounds in weight and have a wingspan between 6 and 8.2 feet.  They have brown and gray body with a light brown crown and long gray bill. 

 

Brown pelicans populations are located on both of the US coasts; their summer and winter habitats stretching from Nova Scotia to Venezuela on the east coast and from British Columbia to Chile on the west.  Pelicans are both strong fliers and proficient swimmers, with short, strong legs and webbed feet.  Another interesting adaptation is the large pouch of skin on every pelican’s neck which allows it to feed underwater and can hold close to three gallons of water & fish, two to three times what its stomach can hold. 

 

Other than their size, brown pelicans are distinguished from other pelicans by their feeding behavior.  Brown pelicans primarily eat fish and amphibians and less frequently crustaceans.  When fishing, they rise in altitude and dive into the water head-first with their wings slightly tucked.  They scoop up fish underwater using their bills and throat pouches as fishing nets, rising to the surface to drain the pouch before they can swallow their catch.  Lacking the capacity or propensity to dive, other pelicans fish cooperatively, orienting themselves in a line along the surface of the water and driving schools of fish into the shallows where they can feast with ease.  Gulls have been known to steal pelicans’ meals, sometimes directly from their pouches and even resorting to perching on the head of the pelican to wait for an opportune moment. 

During breading the male pelican selects a nesting site, which could be on the ground or in a low tree.  After finding an appropriate site he tries to attract a mate using a series of head movements.  After a female accepts his “offer”, he will bring her nesting materials that she weaves into a nest.  A few days after the nest is completed the female will lay two to three eggs, which both parents incubate by covering them with their large webbed feet.  After a month the chicks hatch and in a month or two more are ready to leave the nest.

Pelican populations are robust and growing thanks to an important change in environmental laws.  Like so many other birds, the use of DDT and dieldrin represented a significant threat to the future vitality of the species in the 1960s and early 70s.  A research group in Florida found that DDT caused the pelicans to lay eggs with shells to thin to be able to support the embryo through maturity and hatching.   With the awareness that was raised through Rachel Carson’s influential book “Silent Spring”, concentrated environmental efforts, good science, and some decisive political action, DDT was banned in the US in 1972.  Now the Brown Pelican is considered a species that is robust and not at all threatened.  This example provides us something to remember as we get bogged down in the often-depressing news about our environment – positive change is possible.