institutions. Bookstore and more. and Bookstore shows how the environment responds to the changes. the to responds environment the how shows
fi eld trips, often in partnership with other training training other with partnership in often trips, eld fi purchases at the Friends of South Slough Slough South of Friends the at purchases habitat has been restored, continued monitoring monitoring continued restored, been has habitat
publications, and offers workshops, conferences or or conferences workshops, offers and publications, of South Slough and receive discounts on on discounts receive and Slough South of help scientists understand what to do. After a natural natural a After do. to what understand scientists help
Slough provides technical consulting, develops develops consulting, technical provides Slough of the estuary and forest. Join the Friends Friends the Join forest. and estuary the of monitoring before a restoration project begins can can begins project restoration a before monitoring
professionals whose decisions affect the coast. South South coast. the affect decisions whose professionals glimpses of the past, and spectacular views views spectacular and past, the of glimpses streams and tidal channels, as well as species. Careful Careful species. as well as channels, tidal and streams
managers, elected offi cials, community leaders and and leaders community cials, offi elected managers, Slough Interpretive Center for fascinating fascinating for Center Interpretive Slough Researchers are learning to restore salt marshes, marshes, salt restore to learning are Researchers
The Coastal Training Program assists resource resource assists Program Training Coastal The history and coastal ecology. Visit the South South the Visit ecology. coastal and history 4,800 acres of land and water are a living laboratory. laboratory. living a are water and land of acres 4,800
shop to learn about natural history, cultural cultural history, natural about learn to shop ties that could harm its ecosystem. The reserve’s reserve’s The ecosystem. its harm could that ties Training
guide paddle trips and hikes. Join a work- a Join hikes. and trips paddle guide of the South Slough and protecting it from activi- from it protecting and Slough South the of
greet visitors, assist with research, and and research, with assist visitors, greet Oregon is committed to maintaining the integrity integrity the maintaining to committed is Oregon
guided hiking, paddling and birding tours. birding and paddling hiking, guided
There are many ways to help. Volunteers Volunteers help. to ways many are There Stewardship
through professional training for teachers, and on on and teachers, for training professional through
How Can I Get Involved? Get I Can How
Education also occurs at community festivals, festivals, community at occurs also Education
provide opportunities for work and recreation. and work for opportunities provide
tive Center looking for an opportunity for recreation. recreation. for opportunity an for looking Center tive
the Coos estuary – are beautiful, natural places that that places natural beautiful, are – estuary Coos the
ies when they step into the South Slough Interpre- Slough South the into step they when ies
Slough. and pollutants. Some – like the South Slough inlet of of inlet Slough South the like – Some pollutants. and 5
Many visitors receive their fi rst lessons about estuar- about lessons rst fi their receive visitors Many
in other estuaries to share lessons learned at South at learned lessons share to estuaries other in aries improve water quality by fi ltering out sediment sediment out ltering fi by quality water improve aries
Learning goes beyond the classroom. classroom. the beyond goes Learning working researchers with cooperate staff c Scientifi can reduce the devastating effects of fl ooding. Estu- ooding. fl of effects devastating the reduce can
careers in marine science or coastal management. management. coastal or science marine in careers Slough. South of ecology native the disrupt can that ing channels where stormwater can pool, estuaries estuaries pool, can stormwater where channels ing
natural history, and graduate students training for for training students graduate and history, natural species animal or plant invasive of arrival the for With vast tidal fl ats, extensive marshes and meander- and marshes extensive ats, fl tidal vast With
elementary and secondary classes studying Oregon’s Oregon’s studying classes secondary and elementary watch and climate local in changes describe to data
waterfowl can rest and fi nd food. nd fi and rest can waterfowl
the value they provide. Visiting students include include students Visiting provide. they value the collect Scientists tsunamis. far-off of evidence provide
shellfi sh. They provide stopovers where migrating migrating where stopovers provide They sh. shellfi
for and protect estuaries as they become aware of of aware become they as estuaries protect and for can that measurements level sea in uctuations fl small
young Dungeness crab, salmon, herring, oysters and and oysters herring, salmon, crab, Dungeness young
valuable and that people are motivated to care care to motivated are people that and valuable like phenomena, subtle more as well as – chemistry
and invertebrate animals. Oregon’s estuaries sustain sustain estuaries Oregon’s animals. invertebrate and
commission believes that estuaries are intrinsically intrinsically are estuaries that believes commission and quality water in changes consequent the and –
estuaries nourish hundreds of species of fi sh, shellfi sh sh shellfi sh, fi of species of hundreds nourish estuaries
learn about estuaries. South Slough’s management management Slough’s South estuaries. about learn tides the of fall and rise twice-daily the track ers
world’s most productive ecosystems. Worldwide, Worldwide, ecosystems. productive most world’s
Each year, thousands of people visit South Slough to to Slough South visit people of thousands year, Each Research- estuary. the in year-round occurs Science
and salt and fresh waters mix. They are among the the among are They mix. waters fresh and salt and Eugene Education Research Estuaries are places where rivers meet the ocean ocean the meet rivers where places are Estuaries
Estuaries Special? Are Why
South Slough Explore an National Estuarine Research Reserve Estuary South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, North Bend established in 1974, is the founding member of the Cape Arago Hwy Coos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve System. Since Charleston its establishment, the reserve system has grown to include research reserves in almost every coastal South Slough state. Each reserve typifi es a unique range of coastal habitats. Estuarine reserves were established to Seven Devils Rd Interpretive improve our understanding of estuaries and coastal Center wetlands. 42 Roseburg South Slough Reserve is managed by the Oregon West Beaver Hill Rd Department of State Lands and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric 101 Administration. 42S Interpretive Center Hours Bandon The Interpretive Center on Seven Devils Road is open year round from 10 a.m. to 4 , Tuesdays p.m. Portland through Saturdays. Salem 101 5 Trails are open every day from sunrise to sunset. Eugene Coos Bay N O G E R O Hours 42 42 Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. MAP DETAIL Charleston Medford Contact us at: P.O. Box 5417 61907 Seven Devils Road Charleston, Oregon 97420 Driving directions (541) 888-5558 From North Bend and Coos Bay: www.southsloughestuary.org • Take the Cape Arago Highway to Charleston • Turn left onto Seven Devils Road • Drive four miles to the South Slough Interpretive Center From Bandon: • Drive north on Highway 101 • Turn left onto West Beaver Hill Road (which South Slough becomes Seven Devils Road) • Drive 8.5 miles to the South Slough Interpretive National Estuarine Research Reserve Center
Medford
199
institutions. Bookstore and more. and Bookstore shows how the environment responds to the changes. the to responds environment the how shows
fi eld trips, often in partnership with other training training other with partnership in often trips, eld fi purchases at the Friends of South Slough Slough South of Friends the at purchases habitat has been restored, continued monitoring monitoring continued restored, been has habitat
publications, and offers workshops, conferences or or conferences workshops, offers and publications, of South Slough and receive discounts on on discounts receive and Slough South of help scientists understand what to do. After a natural natural a After do. to what understand scientists help
Slough provides technical consulting, develops develops consulting, technical provides Slough of the estuary and forest. Join the Friends Friends the Join forest. and estuary the of monitoring before a restoration project begins can can begins project restoration a before monitoring
professionals whose decisions affect the coast. South South coast. the affect decisions whose professionals glimpses of the past, and spectacular views views spectacular and past, the of glimpses streams and tidal channels, as well as species. Careful Careful species. as well as channels, tidal and streams
managers, elected offi cials, community leaders and and leaders community cials, offi elected managers, Slough Interpretive Center for fascinating fascinating for Center Interpretive Slough Researchers are learning to restore salt marshes, marshes, salt restore to learning are Researchers
The Coastal Training Program assists resource resource assists Program Training Coastal The history and coastal ecology. Visit the South South the Visit ecology. coastal and history 4,800 acres of land and water are a living laboratory. laboratory. living a are water and land of acres 4,800
shop to learn about natural history, cultural cultural history, natural about learn to shop ties that could harm its ecosystem. The reserve’s reserve’s The ecosystem. its harm could that ties Training
guide paddle trips and hikes. Join a work- a Join hikes. and trips paddle guide of the South Slough and protecting it from activi- from it protecting and Slough South the of
greet visitors, assist with research, and and research, with assist visitors, greet Oregon is committed to maintaining the integrity integrity the maintaining to committed is Oregon
guided hiking, paddling and birding tours. birding and paddling hiking, guided
There are many ways to help. Volunteers Volunteers help. to ways many are There Stewardship
through professional training for teachers, and on on and teachers, for training professional through
How Can I Get Involved? Get I Can How
Education also occurs at community festivals, festivals, community at occurs also Education
provide opportunities for work and recreation. and work for opportunities provide
tive Center looking for an opportunity for recreation. recreation. for opportunity an for looking Center tive
the Coos estuary – are beautiful, natural places that that places natural beautiful, are – estuary Coos the
ies when they step into the South Slough Interpre- Slough South the into step they when ies
Slough. and pollutants. Some – like the South Slough inlet of of inlet Slough South the like – Some pollutants. and 5
Many visitors receive their fi rst lessons about estuar- about lessons rst fi their receive visitors Many
in other estuaries to share lessons learned at South at learned lessons share to estuaries other in aries improve water quality by fi ltering out sediment sediment out ltering fi by quality water improve aries
Learning goes beyond the classroom. classroom. the beyond goes Learning working researchers with cooperate staff c Scientifi can reduce the devastating effects of fl ooding. Estu- ooding. fl of effects devastating the reduce can
careers in marine science or coastal management. management. coastal or science marine in careers Slough. South of ecology native the disrupt can that ing channels where stormwater can pool, estuaries estuaries pool, can stormwater where channels ing
natural history, and graduate students training for for training students graduate and history, natural species animal or plant invasive of arrival the for With vast tidal fl ats, extensive marshes and meander- and marshes extensive ats, fl tidal vast With
elementary and secondary classes studying Oregon’s Oregon’s studying classes secondary and elementary watch and climate local in changes describe to data
waterfowl can rest and fi nd food. nd fi and rest can waterfowl
the value they provide. Visiting students include include students Visiting provide. they value the collect Scientists tsunamis. far-off of evidence provide
shellfi sh. They provide stopovers where migrating migrating where stopovers provide They sh. shellfi
for and protect estuaries as they become aware of of aware become they as estuaries protect and for can that measurements level sea in uctuations fl small
young Dungeness crab, salmon, herring, oysters and and oysters herring, salmon, crab, Dungeness young
valuable and that people are motivated to care care to motivated are people that and valuable like phenomena, subtle more as well as – chemistry
and invertebrate animals. Oregon’s estuaries sustain sustain estuaries Oregon’s animals. invertebrate and
commission believes that estuaries are intrinsically intrinsically are estuaries that believes commission and quality water in changes consequent the and –
estuaries nourish hundreds of species of fi sh, shellfi sh sh shellfi sh, fi of species of hundreds nourish estuaries
learn about estuaries. South Slough’s management management Slough’s South estuaries. about learn tides the of fall and rise twice-daily the track ers
world’s most productive ecosystems. Worldwide, Worldwide, ecosystems. productive most world’s
Each year, thousands of people visit South Slough to to Slough South visit people of thousands year, Each Research- estuary. the in year-round occurs Science
and salt and fresh waters mix. They are among the the among are They mix. waters fresh and salt and Eugene Education Research Estuaries are places where rivers meet the ocean ocean the meet rivers where places are Estuaries
Estuaries Special? Are Why
South Slough Explore an National Estuarine Research Reserve Estuary South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, North Bend established in 1974, is the founding member of the Cape Arago Hwy Coos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve System. Since Charleston its establishment, the reserve system has grown to include research reserves in almost every coastal South Slough state. Each reserve typifi es a unique range of coastal habitats. Estuarine reserves were established to Seven Devils Rd Interpretive improve our understanding of estuaries and coastal Center wetlands. 42 Roseburg South Slough Reserve is managed by the Oregon West Beaver Hill Rd Department of State Lands and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric 101 Administration. 42S Interpretive Center Hours Bandon The Interpretive Center on Seven Devils Road is open year round from 10 a.m. to 4 , Tuesdays p.m. Portland through Saturdays. Salem 101 5 Trails are open every day from sunrise to sunset. Eugene Coos Bay N O G E R O Hours 42 42 Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. MAP DETAIL Charleston Medford Contact us at: P.O. Box 5417 61907 Seven Devils Road Charleston, Oregon 97420 Driving directions (541) 888-5558 From North Bend and Coos Bay: www.southsloughestuary.org • Take the Cape Arago Highway to Charleston • Turn left onto Seven Devils Road • Drive four miles to the South Slough Interpretive Center From Bandon: • Drive north on Highway 101 • Turn left onto West Beaver Hill Road (which South Slough becomes Seven Devils Road) • Drive 8.5 miles to the South Slough Interpretive National Estuarine Research Reserve Center
Medford
199 What You’ll Find Exploring South Slough Let the Trail Draw You Forests Much of the South Slough is forested. In winter, rains saturate the Coast Range soil. All year Down to the Water long, fresh water emerges in streams flowing Trails are open daily from dawn until dusk into the slough, carrying particles of rock and sediment with it. Many animals live in the forest – small mammals, bats, many species of birds, amphibians and reptiles. The forest is also home to elk, black bear and bobcats. Salmon spawn in forest streams. Salt Marshes Water slows as it encounters the salt marsh and heavier particles of sediment begin to settle. As a result, the salt marsh slowly builds. Salt marsh plants evolved amazing ways to thrive in salt water. Saltgrass excretes salt through its leaves. From the Interpretive Center Pickleweed stores fresh water in its leaves to Ten Minute Loop Trail (.17 mi.) Short loop trail dilute the salt. When the marsh dies back in fall, begins and ends at the Interpretive Center. its decay releases basic nutrients that sustain estuarine food webs, feeding many animals. North Creek Trail (1.5 mi.) Wildlife viewing trail leads to Sloughside Marsh. Dogs are not permitted on the Mudflats North Creek Trail. At low tide, the estuary is exposed as mudflats. North Creek Spur (0.15 mi) South Reserve Trails Tides constantly spread the lightest particles in layers throughout the estuary. Blades of eelgrass Middle Creek Trail (.47 mi.) Connects the Ten Minute Wasson Creek and Fredrickson Marsh loop trails slow the water, allowing silt to settle. Over time, Loop Trail with the access road and Hidden Creek (each 0.5 mi.) Two loop trails highlight forests and the accumulation of mud grows hundreds of feet Trail. marshes. Wasson Creek trail may be closed occasion- ally due to high water. Access is by way of Hinch deep. Though mudflats appear empty, millions Hidden Creek Trail (.75 mi.) Follows Hidden Creek to Road. of clams, shrimp and worms live just below its the Skunk Cabbage boardwalk and the marsh obser- surface. Birds, mammals – and people – enjoy Please remember: Dogs are allowed on leashes and vation deck. prowling the mudflats for food. not on the North Creek Trail. Pack out your trash Big Cedar Trail (0.25 mi.) Wheelchair-accessible trail and pet’s waste. Trash collection is not available. leads from the lower parking lot to the marsh obser- Channels vation deck. Request a gate key at the Interpretive In an estuary, water comes and goes with the Center. Water Trails tide. A few channels are deep enough to hold Kayaks and canoes can be launched at Hinch water no matter how low the tide. These deeper Railroad Trail (0.4 mi.) Follows the grade of an old channels provide habitat for birds, river otters, logging railroad. Bridge or in Charleston. Check tides and weather. A paddler’s brochure is available at the beaver, marine mammals and fish. Tidal channels Tunnel Trail (0.4 mile) Parallels the Railroad Trail. Interpretive Center. fill and drain with each turn of the tide, while the salt marsh builds up around them. Tidal channels Sloughside Spur (0.1 mi.) provide many kinds of fish with access to and www.southsloughestuary.org Marshside Spur (0.07 mi.) from the salt marsh at high tide.