Published 03/18/09

Whales and Clean Up Highlight Oregon Coast in Coming Weeks

Near Yaquina Head, Newport: it's clean up time, rain or shine.

(Oregon Coast) – While less high-profile aspects of the coast will get some attention - like the low tide events, strange tide pool creatures appearing and brown waves - the general public will be focused on Oregon's Whale Watch Week and the big spring beach clean up.

Whale Watch Week begins March 21 and runs until March 28. There are 26 "Whale Watching Spoken Here" sites along the Oregon coast where you can find answers to whale questions and maybe even see one.

More than 400 trained volunteers will be at the selected sites from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. during the annual spring whale watch week. They will be there to answer questions and give advice about spotting some of the 18,000-plus Gray whales cruising north to their summer feeding grounds in the Arctic.

A whale lingers near the seawall at Depoe Bay (photo Morris Grover, Whale Spoken Here)

"It's a 12,000-mile journey," said Morris Grover at the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department's Whale Watching Center in Depoe Bay. "The migration peaks about the last week of March. For whale watchers, it's the greatest show on earth."

The traffic is not limited to Gray whales, Grover added. More than 1,000 humpback whales join the migration.

Grover says that morning is the best time to watch. "The ocean is generally calmer, and the sun is at your back."

Visitors also will find information and viewing help from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. each day of the spring whale watching week at the Depoe Bay center. The Oregon State University/Sea Grant Hatfield Marine Science Center offers coinciding presentations that include children story times in nearby Newport.

Spotting whales is an exhilarating experience (photo Morris Grover, Whale Spoken Here)

Maps of the "Whale Watching Spoken Here" viewpoints, information on charter boat and airplane tours, and whale watching tips are online at http://www.whalespoken.org.

Then, at the end of Oregon’s spring break, the 24th annual SOLV Great Oregon Spring Beach Cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, March 28.

Thousands of volunteers are needed to help clean Oregon's beaches, from the Washington border to California, between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

"This year marks the 24th anniversary of SOLV’s twice-yearly Beach Cleanups and SOLV’s 40th anniversary,” said Dianna Smiley, SOLV’s Executive Director. “We’re calling on thousands of Oregonians to participate on March 28th to help remove the large amount of trash and debris that washed ashore or was deposited by onshore activity during these long winter months."

Volunteers cleaning up Manzanita.

To participate, simply show up at one of 44 registration sites at 10 a.m. on March 28 to pick up a bag and head out to the beach to help restore the coastline to its pristine condition. Coordinators suggest that volunteers dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes and bring gloves. Beach Captains at the meeting sites will furnish bags to volunteers. Groups of 20 or more are asked to contact the appropriate Zone Captain prior to the event. Zone Captains and registration sites are listed at www.solv.org or volunteers can call SOLV at (503) 844 -9571 or 800-333-SOLV (7658) for more information.

“Express Check-In” will save volunteers time and avoid the need to wait in line. The Volunteer Registration and Waiver form along with Express Check-In instructions, can be found on SOLV’s web site at www.solv.org. Volunteers should bring their completed and signed forms to turn in at the registration site.

Safety is all-important during this spring's cleanup. Volunteers are asked to watch for sneaker waves, stay away from logs, exercise caution on rocks and cliffs, and never turn their backs on the ocean.

The small coastal shorebird known as the snowy plover, a threatened species, may be present on Oregon’s beaches during the cleanup. Coordinators ask that volunteers be mindful of their nesting sites, usually just above the high tide line on open sand, and stay outside of all roped and signed areas.

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