Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Columbia press. (Astoria, Or.) 1949-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 29, 2021)
The Columbia Press 4 October 29, 2021 Reserve: Regionally significant rain forest protected Continued from Page 1 Conservancy,” said Car- la Cole, natural resources project manager for the Na- tional Park Service. “The National Park Service rec- ognizes that landscape-scale conservation is one of the most meaningful ways that we can protect diversity and ensure resilience in a rapidly chang- ing world.” The reserve includes the headwaters of five watersheds and provides drinking water to Cannon Beach and Arch Cape. “Thanks to all who put vision into action and secured the fu- ture of this north coast gem,” said Clatsop County Com- missioner Lianne Thompson, whose district includes the two communities. “It’s really a joy and a privilege to support a community effort like this. It’s good for the people, it’s good for the planet. What’s not to love?” Protection of the Rainfor- est Reserve has been a goal of coastal conservationists for decades. Seventy years ago, Oregon’s first state parks superinten- dent, Sam Boardman, charac- terized the property as “one of the greatest opportunities for creating one of the outstand- ing natural parks in the na- tion.” A sense of awe and respect for this place has existed among people living here since time immemorial, the NCLC wrote in a press release announcing the accomplish- ment. The summit-to-sea Justin Bailie A view of the Rainforest Reserve from Ecola Point shows Onion Peak and parts of the Angora Peaks. corridor historically provided food, tool and craft material and more for native tribes in Clatsop and Tillamook coun- ties. NCLC is committed to en- suring indigenous communi- ties have access to the land for a variety of cultural uses. In 2016, the Seaside-based North Coast Land Conser- vancy entered into talks with EFM Inc., a forestland investment management company. That led Onion Peak Holdings, a subsidiary managed by EFM, to purchase 5,000 acres of forest from Stimson Lumber Company. In keeping with EFM’s goals around enabling long-term land ownership, landscape protection and better drink- ing water, they signed a pur- chase and sales agreement with NCLC with a deadline of five years. “NCLC’s compelling vision for this property inspires us to think bigger and be bolder in solving our climate crisis,” EFM’s chief officer Bettina von Hagen said. “The creation of the Rainforest Reserve is an enormous contribution to the people of Oregon, who will have the opportunity to hike and enjoy this spectacular and unique landscape, and to the many plants and animals, in- cluding endemic species, that make the Rainforest Reserve home.” To secure the reserve, NCLC raised $11.8 million with the help of more than 1,000 do- nors and significant grants from U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Pacific Northwest Resilient Landscapes Initiative, a part- nership of several founda- tions, Oregon Watershed En- hancement Board, and M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust. Flower: New flower idea blooms Continued from Page 1 ing and vote will be required. Once that’s complete, a new ordinance is expected to be passed declaring the daffodil as Warrenton’s official flower. The request to change the flower came from Spruce Up Warrenton, a group of vol- unteers whose mission is to revitalize and clean up the Warrenton and Hammond downtowns. “We had decided to plant daffodils on the local walk- ing trails and someone sug- gested (they) should be the city flower,” said Jeanne Smith, Spruce Up’s director. “Unless you’re a serious gar- dener, most individuals do not know what phlox is. The daffodil is seen growing wild everywhere near the Oregon Coast.”