naturalist’s calendar NOW PLAYING
LINCOLN COUNTY AREA EVENTS
• Newport Performing Arts Center: PORTHOLE
PLAYERS – “MAN OF LA MANCHA,” MET
LIVE IN HD – “TURANDOT,” “A CHRISTMAS
CAROL” READING WITH CLAIRE HALL
• Club 1216, Newport: BARBARA LEE & FRANKI T
• Lincoln City Cultural Center: “A CHARLIE BROWN
CHRISTMAS,” CELTIC SERIES – WINTERDANCE
• Little Log Church & Museum: “A CHILD’S
CHRISTMAS IN WALES,” CLASSICAL GUITAR
CONCERT WITH CAMERON O’CONNOR
• South Beach Community Cen-
ter: 2ND SUNDAY OPEN MIC
• Newport Public Library: “IT’S A
WONDERFUL LIFE” SCREENING
OREGON COAST
COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS
KYAQ Online Silent
Auction On Now!
December 1 -15th
Log on to KYAQ.org to see the
auction items and to bid!
Support YOUR
community radio station
CELEBRATING 40 YEARS
More online at coastarts.org
541-635-0034
Be a planter at Walker
Th e MidCoast Watersheds Council is
looking for volunteers to lend a hand with
a restoration work party at Walker Creek
near Waldport on Saturday, Dec. 14.
Walker Creek is a direct tributary
to Alsea Bay. Coho salmon and winter
steelhead are known to spawn in the
lower reaches of the stream, and juvenile
salmonids use it as a source of cold water
in the summer months. Th is restoration
project encompasses nearly two acres of
planting along Walker Creek at the site
of a former pasture, currently dominated
by invasive species including Himalayan
blackberry and reed canary grass.
Because of their thick mat of roots and
aggressive growth, these non-native species
are preventing the ability of native, woody
plants to establish alongside the stream.
Th is limits shading over the stream and
inputs of large woody debris to it — both
of which are vital elements for healthy
salmon habitat. Planting trees and shrubs
on Walker Creek will jumpstart these
important natural processes and eventually
out-compete the invasive species.
Th e site also has a history of beaver
presence, an ecosystem engineer. Since
initial planting on a portion of the property
in 2017, two active beaver dams have
been seen on the site. Th is year’s round of
planting will include more diverse species
that beavers use for food and dam building
material. Th is is an opportunity to see
fi rsthand the positive eff ects of beaver
activity on fi sh and wildlife habitat, and
how restoration planting supports their
recovery.
Th e Confederated Tribes of Siletz
Indians, Oregon Department of Fish and
Wildlife, United States Fish and Wildlife
Service, Seal Rock Water District, Oregon
Parks and Recreation Department and
private landowners are all partners on this
project.
Th e Dec. 14 work party will meet at 9:30
am at the Ona Beach boat launch parking
area immediately east of Highway 101 on
Beaver Creek Road and carpool/caravan to
the restoration site about 10 minutes away.
Th e group will work until 2 pm with lunch
and snack breaks as needed.
Participants should bring water and
food, rain protection, working boots and
gloves.
To RSVP, contact Restoration Program
Assistant Ari Blatt at ari@midcoastwc.org
or 541-265-9195.
oregoncoastTODAY.com • facebook.com/oregoncoasttoday • December 6, 2019 • 19