ANNUAL REPORT - Wild Rivers Coast Alliance

Two Thousand Thirteen
ANNUAL REPORT
Bandon Preserve No. 9
A Letter From
WILD RIVERS COAST ALLIANCE
For those of us working to support the South Coast, 2013 was a year of impactful programming. Our
grantees are working on a range of creative initiatives, from community stakeholder convenings about
local food and tourism to restoration work in riparian areas. WRCA’s staff and steering committee have
held many activities with individuals and organizations working in the region, and are making strong
strides toward our vision of a flourishing and sustainable regional economy.
Founder Mike Keiser’s vision of creating Bandon Preserve as a Course with a Mission is in full swing,
and is serving as an important catalyst for action along the wild rivers coastline where WRCA is operating.
Bandon Preserve supports our grant making through net proceeds from its course operations.
Our commitment to projects that advance conservation, strengthen our communities, and bolster the
local economy has guided our granting. In the coming year, we will continue to identify and fund projects
within our watersheds that have a positive impact on our community at multiple levels. We look forward to
growing the impact of Wild Rivers Coast Alliance in our region in 2014.
JIM SEELEY
Mike Keiser presents check to WRCA for 2014 grant making.
Bandon Dunes management, golf and agronomy teams included in
presentation acknowledging their commitment to Bandon Preserve operations.
Executive Director
Wild River Coast Alliance
Steering
COMMITTEE
The strength of the Wild Rivers Coast Alliance Steering Committee is key to our ability to identify and
implement impactful initiatives. These dedicated individuals are committed to supporting a thriving South
Coast of Oregon through their involvement in WRCA as well as their respective organizations.
Executive
Comittee
Steering
Comittee
HARRY HOOGESTEGER
JENA CARTER
MARY WAHL
LEESA COBB
WRCA Chair,
South Coast Watersheds
Council Coordinator
Wahl Ranch
STEVE DENNEY
The Nature Conservancy
South Coast Project Director
CAM PARRY
Parry and Associates
The Nature Conservancy
Oregon Marine and Coast Director
West Coast Marine Coordinator
Port Orford Ocean Resoruce Team
Executive Director
MARK GRENBEMER/
RENEE DAVIS-BORN
Oregon Watershed
Enhancement Board
PAUL HEIKKILA
Local Resident and
Past President of Coquille
Watershed Association
HANK HICKOX
Bandon Dunes Golf Resort
General Manager
ROY LOWE
US Fish and Wildlife
Project Leader
SANDY VIEIRA
Gold Beach
Chamber of Commerce
Executive Director
JOE WHITWORTH
The Freshwater Trust
President
Jim Seeley, Paul Heikkila, Hank Hickox, Cam Parry, Joe Whitworth, Roy Lowe, Harry Hoogesteger, Steve Denney
Catherine Courtier, Leesa Cobb, Sandy Vieira, Renee Davis-Born, Mary Wahl, Marie Simonds (Jena Carter - not pictured)
Our
VISION
To support a thriving South Coast of Oregon
Our
MISSION
To fund projects on the South Coast of Oregon that yield triple bottom line results
(conservation, community, economy) with a focus on approaches that blend
innovative ecological initiatives and economic opportunity
Our
PRIORITIES
To support and promote healthy fish and species habitats, working landscapes and
seascapes, sustainable tourism, community collaboration and sustainable businesses
Face Rock, Bandon
Our
REGIONAL OBJECTIVES
Support working landscapes and seascapes that contribute to
healthy fish and species habitats while respecting family
legacies and community values
Support and enhance community-based collaboration and
locally-owned, commercially viable sustainable businesses
Drive economic development and ecological enhancement
through sustainable tourism
Drive more resources to efforts supported by Wild Rivers Coast
Alliance through shared marketing, fundraising, community
involvement, and collaborative programs
2013 AWARDED GRANTS
17%
Working Landscapes and Seascapes
18%
Community Collaboration and Sustainable Buisiness
Economic Development through Sustainable Tourism
65%
The Meyer Memorial Trust Trustees and Staff visited the South Coast in October and held a
reception with Wild Rivers Coast Alliance at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort.
WRCA
CATALYZING ACTION & INVESTMENT
WRCA is committed to funding projects and building partnerships that advance conservation, community,
and the economy on the South Coast. By leveraging our local knowledge, relationships, and resources,
we encourage others in the funding community to become involved. In 2013, we awarded grants to the
following organizations, each of which contributes in various ways to preserving the South Coast
and its community.
WORKING LANDSCAPES & SEASCAPES
Beaver Slough Drainage District - Muted Tidal Regulator Engineering
Coquille Watershed Association - Capacity Building and Project Development
CRAFT3 - Wild Rivers Land Trust Interest Payment Guarantee
Curry Soil and Water Conservation District - Sullivan Gulch Restoration Challenge Grant
Ecotrust - Working Landscapes Financial Model
Freshwater Trust - Salmon Calculator
Port Orford Ocean Resource Team - Community Fishing Association Development
South Coast Watershed Council - 5K Tree Plantings, Cedar Creek and Chetco River Restoration
West Coast Salmon Summit - Convening Sponsorship
Wild Rivers Land Trust - Capacity Building
COMMUNITY COLLABORATION AND SUSTAINABLE BUSINESSES
Bandon High School - Go Native Project Challenge Grant
Coquille Watershed Association - Capacity Building and Project Development
South Coast Watershed Council - Community Food Assessment & RARE AmeriCorps Member
South Coast Development Council - Community Food Assessment & RARE AmeriCorps Member
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THROUGH SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
City of Gold Beach - Regional bike kiosk project matching grant
Friends of South Slough - Capacity Building
Oregon Institute of Marine Biology - Display at new facility
OSU Sea Grant - Intern for Rural Tourism Studio Coordinating
Port Orford Main Street - RARE AmeriCorps member
Washed Ashore - Capacity Building
19 organizations awarded grants
Elephant Rock, Oregon Islands
Our Grantees In Action
WORKING LANDSCAPES AND SEASCAPES
Wild Rivers Coast Alliance funds projects and initiatives that contribute to healthy species habitat while
respecting the agricultural and community values on the South Coast. Our investments in Working
Landscapes and Seascapes continue to have an impact and support community projects aimed at habitat
restoration and increased salmonid populations. In 2013, WRCA’s investments helped increase the
capacity of a local land trust, propelled restoration projects and contributed to the economic viability of
local, sustainable fishing practices.
WILD RIVERS LAND TRUST
Bear Creek Natural Area, Elk River
Now in its third year of support, Wild Rivers Land Trust (WRLT) is making significant progress toward
organizational accreditation and overall growth. WRLT has expanded its board and service area, now
encompassing 1.7 million acres including the 10 watersheds on the South Coast. The organization
leveraged an investment from Wild Rivers Coast Alliance to secure additional funding from the Land Trust
Alliance through a partnership with the Gray Family Foundation. This has laid the foundation for strategic
plan development that will guide WRLT as it continues to work to protect and improve key parcels and
working landscapes on the South Coast.
22:1 ratio of WRCA funds leveraged by Wild Rivers
Land Trust to acquire a key Elk River in-holding
SOUTH COAST RESTORATION PROJECTS
Cedar Creek
Restoration work on our South Coast watersheds creates
jobs and improves ecological conditions. Recent restoration
projects include Cedar Creek, Chetco River, and Sullivan
Gulch. With the support of WRCA and other donors, South
Coast Watersheds Council (SCWC) continues to be a key
implementing partner in the region and has completed over
1,200 restoration projects in the past 12 years. SCWC’s
strong relationships with local landowners have led to
improvements in crucial salmonid habitats on our
South Coast rivers.
PORT ORFORD OCEAN RESOURCE TEAM
Port Orford Heads
The rocky, rugged shoreline of the South Coast is among the most beautiful coastlines in the world, and a
visual reminder of our land-sea connection. The RedFish Rocks Marine Reserve, visible from Port Orford
Heads and a project of the Port Orford Ocean Resource Team (POORT), was the first marine reserve in
Oregon. The stewardship of this natural environment is vitally important to the local community and to the
economic viability of fishing at Port Orford. POORT has been a leader in engaging local fisherman and
demonstrating the economic benefits of sustainable fishing practices for which it has received national
acclaim in the movie Ocean Frontiers.
“Part of our mission is to fully develop triple bottom line assets for the community of Port Orford
such as a Community Fishing Association that will ensure long-term access to fisheries.”
Leesa Cobb Executive Director of Port Orford Ocean Resource Team
Keeping the fishing economy and culture is an important pillar of the Port Orford community. Working on
behalf of local fisherman and the community, POORT has developed a sustainable seafood brand—Port
Orford Sustainable Seafood (POSS). POSS maintains environmentally friendly fishing strategies while
increasing its fish prices and market share. POSS continues to expand its market through a community
supported fisheries program similar to Community-Supported Agriculture, whereby consumers can
purchase fish shares .
Port Orford Fishing Boats
BEAVER SLOUGH DRAINAGE DISTRICT
Fred Messerle and Steve Denney
WRCA is committed to co-investing in projects along the Coquille River that seed economic development
as well as protect and enhance overwinter habitat for salmonids, a critical factor for Coho salmon
recovery. To meet current fish passage criteria as well as provide water management capability to meet
landowner objectives, Beaver Slough Drainage District (BSDD) is developing the China Camp Creek
Project with a mutli-door muted tidal regulator being engineered with WRCA funding. Benefits of this
project are enhanced by two landowners within BSDD, in partnership with The Nature Conservancy, who
are developing the Winter Lake Restoration Project that will reconnect portions of the drainage district to
the main stem of the Coquille River, providing crucial overwinter habitat with a partial tidal influence.
Coquille River
“We have a common goal. The drainage district seeks to
improve the infrastructure needed to support our farming
operations and in doing so, we will provide the habitat and water
management that will enable Coho production.”
Fred Messerle, Chairman of Beaver Slough Drainage District
and owner of Messerle and Sons.
GO NATIVE PROJECT
The Go Native Project at Bandon High School plans to build a
greenhouse for a student-run, after-school program to provide
native plant education and propagation opportunities. Awarded
a challenge grant in early 2013 from WRCA, it took less than a
year for the Go Native Project team to exceed the challenge,
and construction of the greenhouse is scheduled to begin in the
spring of 2014. Plants from the project will be used in restoration
work on the Beaver Slough Drainage District project.
2.75:1 – ratio of Wild Rivers Coast Alliance funds leveraged
by Bandon High School for the Go Native Project
Our Grantees In Action
COMMUNITY COLLABORAION AND CONVENING
Throughout 2013, Wild Rivers Coast Alliance has served as a platform for identifying and coordinating
community-based efforts to promote sustainable economic development. Through community support,
we seek to enable the sustainable work of local organizations to be viable long into the future. Early
philanthropic investments in South Coast organizations have begun to reap strong benefits for impactful
organizations in our region. In 2013, WRCA played a lead role in bringing together like-minded
organizations to enhance the South Coast’s tourism efforts and is making investments that will sustainably
grow and strengthen the local economy. Some of our marquee efforts include:
4 – number of regional collaborative efforts where Wild Rivers
Coast Alliance is serving in a coordinating and convening capacity
The Nature Conservancy Board
and Staff hosted a reception
and dinner in recognition of their
collaboration with Wild Rivers
Coast Alliance at Washed Ashore.
SOUTH COAST REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEM
Wahl Sheep Ranch
With a goal of strengthening the local food system and growing the local South Coast economy, Wild Rivers
Coast Alliance is partnering with the Oregon Food Bank and AmeriCorps participants through the University
of Oregon Resource Assistance for Rural Environments (RARE) program to conduct community food
assessments in both Coos and Curry Counties. The goal of the assessments is to identify opportunities for
marketing, distribution, value-added processing, and collaboration to organize members of the regional food
system and ultimately create a long-term plan for a healthier and more resilient food system.
“This is a grassroots assessment process with the goal of promoting a
healthier community and improving its economic wellbeing.”
Sharon Thornberry, Oregon Food Bank’s Community Food Systems Manager.
Sharon is also a recognized national and statewide expert in food system development.
WILD RIVERS COAST TOURISM
Rural Tourism Studio Convening
“Tourism is extremely important to this region because the declining timber and salmon industries
make it a much bigger percentage of the economic base and an important driver of job creation.”
Jim Seeley, Executive Director of Wild Rivers Coast Alliance.
Beginning in the fall of 2013, Travel Oregon conducted the Rural Tourism Studio, a destination
development workshop series for the area on the South Coast from Bandon to Brookings, including
representation from California’s Del Norte County. Travel Oregon inspires travel to the state by
showcasing the unique experiences of Oregon travel. Through focused workshops, participants
acquired tools to further develop their tourism products in order to attract more resources to the
wild rivers coast region.
A regional group comprised of Chamber of Commerce Directors, City Managers and Officials, agency
representatives, Oregon State University members, and other regional advocates came together to help
steer the process. After almost a year of planning, the eight-part workshop series was conducted over a
four-month period starting in the fall of 2013 with almost 70 participants per session. The outcome has
been the development of a regional structure including a steering committee and four action teams who
will work together on regional tourism projects that will promote the region. These projects are getting a
jump start on funding from Travel Oregon with a matching grant from Wild Rivers Coast Alliance.
1 in 4 jobs in the Wild Rivers Coast region are dependent
on the Tourism Industry. *according to the Baseline
Assessment conducted by Travel Oregon.
Elk River
The wild rivers coast
region contains the
highest concentration of
Nationally Designated
Wild and Scenic Rivers
in America
GORSE ACTION GROUP
Gorse Convening
Jeff Wilson
“Gorse is an invasive species that can be controlled but not easily eradicated as the
seed bed can be viable for up to 75 years. Bandon Dunes is an example of taking a
gorse-infested, unproductive landscape and finding an economically viable solution.”
Jeff Wilson, Superintendent at Bandon Dunes Golf Course
Turning gorse-choked land into a productive working landscape is how Bandon Dunes Golf Resort came
into being. Wild Rivers Coast Alliance founder Mike Keiser has turned that experience into a passion for
finding solutions for managing the growing gorse infestation on the South Coast.
Joining with wildfire protection teams in Curry and Coos Counties, Wild Rivers Coast Alliance has
helped foster a regional collaborative effort, The Gorse Action Group (GAG). This group is comprised
of over fifteen organizations such as city and county governments, watershed associations and local,
state and federal agencies that have come together to initiate gorse mapping for project identification
and prioritization for action. Wild Rivers Coast Alliance is assisting in funding the detailed Geographic
Information Systems (GIS) mapping of Gorse in the spring of 2014. Once mapped, development of a
gorse strategy will seek to turn gorse infested South Coast land into productive working landscapes
and reduce fire hazard.
Gorse, South Coast Oregon
Shark, Marine Debris Scuplture
WASHED ASHORE
Washed Ashore is a community-based art and education nonprofit that invites kids, community members,
and tourists to help create larger-than-life sculptures of sea creatures from trash collected from the beach.
The organization’s mission, Art to Save the Sea, encapsulates its passion to educate and promote action.
Wild Rivers Coast Alliance has provided critical general operating support and helped Washed Ashore
expand into Old Town Bandon. The Alliance’s grant dollars have given Washed Ashore the flexibility to
take advantage of opportunities as they arise that have propelled them into the national spotlight.
This past year was one of incredible attention and growth for Washed Ashore. In early spring of 2013,
Sea World commissioned twelve sculptures for display during their 50th anniversary celebration in their
United States theme parks. The Smithsonian Institution purchased a small piece and education kit to be
on permanent display in its Sant Ocean Hall. Additionally, Washed Ashore’s traveling exhibit will be on
display in the Virginia Aquarium Science Center and San Francisco Zoo.
3,251 volunteers have contributed 5,761 hours
to build sculptures for Washed Ashore at their
new home at Harbortown Center in downtown
Bandon and Artula 101 south of Bandon.
Angela Haseltine-Pozzi
Over 16,000 people visited Washed Ashore at
their downtown Bandon Harbortown location in
2013. These visitors were from every state in
America and over 40 countires around the world.
“Education has always been my passion
as well as art and conservation.
This project brings the community together
with a positive focus and shows we can all
make a difference. This is my calling.
- Angela Haseltine-Pozzi
Executive Director of Washed Ashore.
Summary
WILD RIVERS COAST ALLIANCE
Since 2011, Wild Rivers Coast Alliance has been making grants to organizations that serve the South
Coast of Oregon. Founded by Mike Keiser, owner of Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, WRCA was formed
through discussions with representatives from the community, nonprofit sector, business, and local
government about the needs and opportunities for philanthropic investment in the South Coast.
Wild Rivers Coast Alliance focuses on conservation, community, and the economy and has a unique
formula for sustainability. Supporting all grant making are the net proceeds from the fifth golf course at
Bandon Dunes, the Bandon Preserve.
Wild Rivers Coast Alliance would like to thank the support of Bandon Dunes Golf Resort
and its staff, private contributors, and the Meyer Memorial Trust who together have made
our work possible.
For additional information about how to get involved, please visit
wildriverscoastalliance.com or email Marie Simonds [email protected].
Bandon Preserve
WILDRIVERSCOASTALLIANCE.COM
Battle Rock Park, Port Orford