Supporting Communities Along the South Coast of Oregon
Two Thousand Sixteen ANNUAL REPORT TABLE OF CONTENTS
A Letter from the Executive Director 2 WRCA Refresh Summary 10 WRCA Leadership 3 Reflections from WRCA’s Founder 11
Snapshot of WRCA’s Impact, 2011–2016 Celebrating 5 Years of Service 13 & Regional Objectives 4 Grantee Review, 2011–2016 5
OUR VISION 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, and 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
REGIONAL OBJECTIVES WRCA developed three regional objectives to provide a framework that guides its work and reflects the organization’s grant-making priorities. Throughout its ongoing learning and evaluation processes, WRCA assesses its progress toward long-term goals by measuring its performance against these objectives: Working Landscapes and Seascapes Strengthen economic stability, community assets, and the environment by supporting working landscapes and seascapes Sustainable Businesses and Nonprofits Support economic development and ecological enhancement by fostering local, sustainable businesses and nonprofit organizations Collaboration and Capacity Forge partnerships, strengthen capacity, and assist in securing greater resources for local organizations to better accomplish their goals 1 A LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Bandon Preserve No. 7
Dear Members and Friends,
In 2016, we reflected on our first five years of operations in order to celebrate our grantees’ successes and to further evaluate how we might capitalize on new strategies to create even more meaningful impact on the south coast in the future. We engaged stakeholders in a process that culminated in a two-day retreat to discuss past and upcoming projects, goals, and initiatives. A variety of south coast and statewide organizations gathered to give their input on WRCA’s grant-making priorities, including: The Ford Family Foundation, Oregon Community Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, South Coast Development Council, Nonprofit Association of Oregon, Oregon State University, Curry Watersheds Partnership, local farmers and ranchers, and more. We compile our key takeaways from this process and share our updated strategies with you in the “WRCA Refresh Summary” section of this report.
We are continually grateful for the opportunity to serve and support the communities on the south coast of Oregon. We are working with community and conservation groups to improve the south coast landscapes and seascapes, restore and enhance streams, and assist with capacity building for new farmers, ranchers, and timber managers. We are also promoting the sustainability of local businesses and nonprofits through investments in business planning, operation infrastructure, and support for jobs in the south coast region. We continue to use our resources and network to support our grantees’ capacity to attract and retain the funding needed to accomplish their goals.
We remain focused on bringing people together to work on projects that improve our communities and strive to advance regional efforts with a focus on our triple-bottom-line mission of conservation, community, and economy. After five years of grant making, organizations supported by WRCA are having appreciable impacts on our local communities. We are featuring several of these grantees in the “Grantee Review, 2011– 2016” section of this report.
Wild Rivers Coast Alliance would like to thank our founder, Mike Keiser, and the staff of Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, various private contributors, our executive and steering committees, and other stakeholders who together have made WRCA’s work possible. Please visit our website at wildriverscoastalliance.com and consider joining us to support the organizations and programs that are enhancing and strengthening the south coast of Oregon.
Jim Seeley Executive Director Wild Rivers Coast Alliance 2 WRCA LEADERSHIP We extend our gratitude to the past and present leaders of WRCA for their incredible generosity and dedication. Our sincerest thanks go to our former Steering Committee members who have provided valuable input and participated in shaping WRCA in its formative years: Leesa Cobb, Paul Heikkila, Hank Hickox, Roy Lowe, and Sandy Vieira. Through involvement in WRCA and their respective organizations, our leaders (current Steering Committee members listed below) demonstrate their commitment to the south coast of Oregon by working to preserve the health and integrity of its natural resources, support economic development and sustainable tourism, and enhance local family legacies and community values.
JENA CARTER MARK GRENBEMER TONY ROSZKOWSKI The Nature Conservancy, Oregon Watershed Tony’s Crab Shack and Port O’ Marine and Coastal Enhancement Board, Southwest Call, Owner; Bandon Western Conservation Director Oregon Program Representative World, Contributing Writer
STEVE DENNEY HARRY HOOGESTEGER MATT SWANSON The Nature Conservancy, South Retired Watershed Coordinator; Curry Watersheds Partnership, Coast Conservation Director WRCA Honorary Member South Coast Watershed Council Interim Coordinator, Senior MELISSA FREEMAN AL JOHNSON Project Manager The Oregon Community Retired Land Use Attorney Foundation, Director of MARY WAHL Strategic Projects WAYNE KRIEGER Wahl Ranches & Company, Co- Tree Farm and Cattle Owner; Wild Rivers Land Trust, RICK GOCHE Ranch Owner; Former State Board Member Sacred Sea Tuna, Owner; Port Representative of Bandon, Commissioner; JOE WHITWORTH Oregon Albacore Commission, ANNE KUBISCH The Freshwater Trust, President Chairman; American The Ford Family Foundation, Fisherman’s Research President Foundation, President CAM PARRY River Docs LLC, Owner; Oregon Hatchery Research Commission, Chair
35 SNAPSHOT OF WRCA’S IMPACT, 2011 - 2016 AS REPORTED BY WRCA’S GRANTEES
WRCA invested Grantees raised $1,204,171 $1,140,747 in working landscapes efforts as matching funds for WRCA grants
4,485 67 36 Acres of working landscapes that Stream miles on the south coast Full-time equivalent jobs directly WRCA has supported on the that WRCA-supported projects supported by WRCA grants in south coast have restored and enhanced the south coast
REGIONAL OBJECTIVES
WORKING LANDSCAPES AND SEASCAPES WRCA works with community and conservation groups to provide funding and support to improve south coast landscapes and seascapes. Together, these initiatives have worked to improve local economies, environments, and communities.
WRCA has awarded over $3M in grants from 2011-2016 SUSTAINABLE BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS WRCA’s investments in regional initiatives are focused on tourism and food system developments that aim to drive and promote increased regional economic development. Through convening and funding, WRCA works with many local organizations, bringing people together to develop innovative initiatives that draw attention to the area and its unique qualities so the region remains an outdoor recreation destination % of total grant dollars in support for tourists from across the country. of WRCA regional objectives
COLLABORATION & CAPACITY WRCA serves as a catalyst to forge partnerships, strengthen capacity, and assist in securing greater resources for local organizations to better accomplish their goals. We continue to bring people together to work on projects and assist organizations that support working landscapes and seascapes and sustainable businesses and nonprofits. 4 GRANTEE REVIEW, 2011 - 2016
WINTER LAKE PROJECT/COQUILLE RIVER VALLEY TIDE GATES GORSE ACTION GROUP
As the second-longest estuary in Oregon, the Coquille River has Gorse is a non-native plant that was brought to Oregon’s south a rich history of supporting coho and other salmon populations, coast in the 1870s. Although it produces a vibrant yellow flower as well as historical farming and agriculture in the river valley. that provides beauty among the landscape, it is highly flammable The Nature Conservancy has led work with the environmental and invasive throughout the Oregon coast. Gorse was named and agricultural communities to collaborate on efforts that will one of the top three most invasive species that dampens the local optimize needed functions for agriculture and fish to rebuild a economy and presents a major public safety concern due to fire healthy, working landscape. The pilot project at Beaver Slough risks. Bandon Dunes took the initiative to mitigate gorse, beginning Drainage District in Winter Lake is scheduled to begin in 2017 with work to turn acres of gorse-filled lands into a world-class with restoration plantings to follow. With funding from WRCA golf resort. Lessons from this work, including the understanding and many other stakeholders, The Nature Conservancy is working that gorse-choked land can be turned into a productive working with the Coquille Watershed Association to optimize a plan to landscape, have guided WRCA to provide funding for planning remove or replace failing tide gates in Winter Lake and ultimately and coordination of various stakeholders to work toward mapping throughout the Coquille River Valley. The aged tide gates pose risks and controlling this noxious weed. From stakeholder convenings, to water quality, fish and wildlife, and economic health. The Nature a synergy formed resulting in a collaboration known as the Gorse Conservancy developed proprietary software, the Migratory Fish Action Group (GAG). Seeking approaches to find solutions to the Passage Optimization Tool, referred to as OptiPass, to prioritize gorse problem, the GAG applied with the State of Oregon for the tide gate restoration projects throughout the Valley. OptiPass designation of an Oregon Solutions project for the mitigation and considers the tide gate needs, plus available funding, maximum removal of gorse, and on December 7, 2016, Oregon Governor benefits to coho (silver) salmon, and the working landscapes. Kate Brown approved the designation. Oregon Solutions is a Once implemented, the estuaries across the watershed will provide neutral convener that supports communities in finding and shelter from high winter flows and food for juvenile fish to grow, collaborating on innovative solutions to various problems. This and will greatly benefit farmers and ranchers. designation brings visibility and potential resources to help eliminate gorse. Governor Brown designated State Representative Caddy McKeown and WRCA’s Jim Seeley as co-conveners to lead the partners toward finding and implementing solutions.
5 GRANTEE REVIEW, 2011 - 2016
WILD RIVERS LAND TRUST GO NATIVE
Since 2000, Wild Rivers Land Trust (WRLT) has worked to The Go Native project is a hands-on business and horticultural promote the protection of the natural treasures and working lands opportunity for students created at Bandon High School in on Oregon’s Wild Rivers Coast. Its efforts initially focused on the which they plant, care for, and market native plant species from Elk River watershed, including the Copper Salmon Wilderness, the school property. The project produces thousands of native and the organization had many successes. For the past five years, plants for sale each year, and tasks the students with growing WRCA has supported WRLT’s efforts, providing financial support plants and tree saplings for restoration projects along the south and guidance to expand its service area and increase staffing, coast. The Go Native project is a self-sustaining organization that obtain the first conservation easement, become an accredited land generates funds through the sale of their propagated plants. These trust, and protect key inholdings. The partnerships created under funds are used for plant material, supplies, and summer work these initiatives have enhanced south coast watersheds in ways for students. This project has proven so successful, the Bandon that have benefited fishermen and ranchers alike. Most recently, School District is funding the coordinator’s time to implement WRCA guaranteed the interest on the loan from Craft3, a nonprofit these impactful programs for students. WRCA was there at the Community Development Financial Institution lender. The two beginning, offering a sizable challenge grant to get them started, year guarantee allowed WRLT to acquire a key inholding, Bear which they far exceeded within one year. Go Native functions Creek Natural Area, until funding from the U.S. Forest Service as a multi-curriculum, hands-on learning lab for students at the was finalized in January 2017. Completion of this acquisition was high school. Students recently received a restoration contract and spearheaded by the efforts of WRLT founder and Conservation are propagating plants for the Winter Lake Project described on Director Jerry Becker, with restoration work conducted on this the previous page. Additionally, the Oregon Arts Commission tract resulting in scores of spawning coho and Chinook salmon and WRCA are funding a student art pollinator project that will seen in areas they have not inhabited in decades. This pilot project transition to summer work for students, while educating the public serves as a template for other Oregon coastal watersheds and is and selling native plants at south coast farmers’ markets. currently being replicated by WRLT on another acquisition. Efforts such as these have allowed WRLT to strengthen its administration and management, develop thoughtful plans, and broaden its reach to promote and protect more working lands in Oregon’s vital watersheds.
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Bullards Beach State Park Sturdivant Park COQUILLE Public Boat Launch
Riverton Public Boat Launch C O Q GRANTEE REVIEW, 2011 - 2016 U IL LE R
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REGIONAL CAPACITY SUMMARY T A P O State Par Scenic Attraction BANDON
City Par irdwatching BANDON Travel Oregon’s Rural Tourism Studio (RTS) is a comprehensive training program designed to assist rural communities in Y
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W Bullards oat Launch Lighthouse E Rocky Point K environmentally sustainable tourism development. The RTS process identified an opportunity to bolster the capacity of the region to I Beach Boat Launch State Park E N B T O BANK LN R U E O D R Trailhead Retail Rental IV N E collaborate and collectively work on tourism development projects. The Oregon State University (OSU) Extension Service and the R L A Bullards Beach Albert H. Powers E D Twin Creek Bandon B D Bandon Boat Launch L A Crossings L P State Ranch Memorial I Golf Course U N MYRTLE POINT Natural Q O Oregon Coast Visitors Association (OCVA), with support from WRCA, recognized the opportunity to attract visitors to the south icycle Route ol Course O D Area C N A Hoffman Memorial B O State Wayside T 42 New River Trails N O coast. Also recognizing the cohesion and collaboration demonstrated by the region through the RTS, each of these organizations Trail Farm Trail Bullards RIVERT Bridge Coquille Myrtle Grove created a position for a new staff member in order to bring the needed tourism expertise to the region to help implement the ideas State Par Land State Natural Site
New River Paddle - Boat Launch New River Trails generated through the RTS. In late 2016, two tourism experts from OSU, Miles Phillips, and OCVA, Dave Lacey, set immediately into LM USFS Land Coquille River Lighthouse action, focusing on bringing visitors to the south coast and developing the south coast as a destination. National Wildli e Re uge L I Old Town A R Marketplace South Coast T Coquille T 8TH ST Bicycles S Point A O 11TH ST E V C Bandon
E A N Bandon R Historical Society O O G Face Rock City Park M Museum E LL
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The Eat Fresh and Local pilot program was a cooperative promotional effort involving nine southern Oregon farmers and markets RE FLORAS C EK Floras Lake Valley Flora Boat Launch Jensen that served to remind south coast residents that locally grown fruits and vegetables, seafood, and other products are well within Blueberries
Floras Lake Windsurfing reach. The pilot program resulted in the establishment of the Wild Rivers Coast Farm Trail, which features 10 stops at farmers’ & Kiteboarding Floras Lake PORT ORFORD State Natural Area markets, farm stands, pick-your-own operations, and specialty food sellers from Bandon to Port Orford. The Wild Rivers Coast POWERS 12 Acres Paradise Bed & Farm Trail is an effort to encourage the region’s tourists to extend their visit and provides opportunities for them to purchase south Breakfast Point A
N PARADISE POINT RD State RO
A Boat Launch R Recreation IZ MAD coast products to take home. WRCA and Travel Oregon became involved in the Farm Trail project in 2014, providing the group O Wild Woods Farm N
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with more opportunities for dialogue and coordination with local businesses. Initiated by local stakeholders, including Curry J Cape Blanco 18TH Cape Blanco State Park Buffington Memorial Park Lighthouse Edison Creek Campground and Golden Harvest Farms 12TH Watersheds Partnership, the Farm Trail partnered with the Bandon Chamber of Commerce to provide the needed marketing and SIXES Boat Launch Tseriadun Port Orford Community Co-op Sixes Store Recreation Area O Boat Launch Wildland Properties
coordination for the development of this experience. R D E R SI FO G XES RIVER R RT O O Port Orford PO N Battle Rock Heads C Wayside Park O Iron Head State Park A
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T The Big Tree Trail R Port OSU Port OUTDOOR RECREATION A I Orford Scuba Orford L Wild Woods Farm COPPER SALMON WILDERNESS Tichenor Lifeboat Airfill Visitor Rock Station Station Center PORT ORFORD Golden Harvest Farms GRASSY KNOB (See Inset Map) Port Orford Community WILDERNESS Following the RTS process, the region identified the need to better showcase the area’s outdoor recreation assets in order to attract Co-op/Farmers Market Grassy Knob Trail
Elk River Rocky Point more visitors to the south coast. A map (seen on the right) was developed to entice visitors to stay longer and experience more Elk River Fish Hatchery Fish Hatchery of what the south coast has to offer. Additionally, new experiences like the Wild Rivers Coast Designated Scenic Bikeway were Boat Launch
RIVER developed to offer more recreation to appeal to visitors. The Oregon Scenic Bikeway program is the first of its kind in the country ELK REDFISH ROCKS Old Coast Hwy Coquille River Falls Trail with official state-designated routes, printable maps, and on-road signage. The collaborative that grew out of the RTS process, MARINE Humbug Trail RESERVE REDFISH Humbug ROCKS Mountain successfully applied for a designation and is now a part of the Oregon Scenic Bikeway program, offering an outstanding 61-mile MPA State Park Panther Ridge Trail Humbug Mountain Wild Rivers Coast Scenic Bikeway route in Port Orford. State Park Trail
Iron Mountain Trail Further advancements on cycling involve the development of mountain biking experiences, and through a collaborative effort
with Coos County, a new system of mountain biking trails is underway in the Seven Devils area between Bandon and Charleston. Upper Rogue River Trail Arizona Beach State Recreation Site
Other mountain biking trails are being developed by the Wild Rivers Coast International Mountain Biking Association chapter. Foster Bar Campground Boat Launch Prehistoric Gardens These new mountain biking trails are part of a larger regional concept that will eventually offer many miles of destination-quality, Sisters Rock State Park adventurous mountain biking experiences. WRCA provided funding and helped convene stakeholders in development of these
L I opportunities. These trails offer adventure seekers plenty of safe, scenic pathways to explore. Cycling tourism promises to bring A R
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S R C A an economic boost to the south coast. ER O ST OB C L Cougar Lane Boat Launch R N RIVE UE O OG MILES G R E Cedar Bend 7 R
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Bullards Beach State Park Sturdivant Park COQUILLE Public Boat Launch
Riverton Public Boat Launch C O Q U IL LE R
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I U V O Legend Old Town Marketplace E R BANDON R Farmer’s Market T E O L 42 (See Inset Map) D N D
T PA O State Par Scenic Attraction BANDON
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W Bullards oat Launch Lighthouse E Rocky Point K I Beach Boat Launch State Park E N B T O BANK LN R U E O D R Trailhead Retail Rental IV N E R L A Bullards Beach Albert H. Powers E D Twin Creek Bandon B D Bandon Boat Launch L A Crossings L P State Ranch Memorial I Golf Course U N MYRTLE POINT Natural Q O icycle Route ol Course O D Area C N A Hoffman Memorial B O State Wayside T 42 New River Trails N O Trail Farm Trail Bullards RIVERT Bridge Coquille Myrtle Grove State Par Land State Natural Site
New River Paddle - Boat Launch New River Trails LM USFS Land Coquille River Lighthouse
National Wildli e Re uge L I Old Town A R Marketplace South Coast T Coquille T 8TH ST Bicycles S Point A O 11TH ST E V C Bandon
E A N Bandon R Historical Society O O G Face Rock City Park M Museum E LL
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Farm Viewpoint P R N
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RE FLORAS C EK Floras Lake Valley Flora Boat Launch Jensen Blueberries
Floras Lake Windsurfing & Kiteboarding Floras Lake PORT ORFORD State Natural Area POWERS 12 Acres Paradise Bed & Breakfast Point A
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A Boat Launch R Recreation IZ MAD O Wild Woods Farm N
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Lake A Cape Blanco 18TH J Cape Blanco State Park Buffington Memorial Park Lighthouse Edison Creek Campground and Golden Harvest Farms 12TH SIXES Boat Launch Tseriadun Port Orford Community Co-op Sixes Store Recreation Area O Boat Launch Wildland Properties
R D E R SI FO G XES RIVER R RT O O Port Orford PO N Battle Rock Heads C Wayside Park O Iron Head State Park A
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I Orford Scuba Orford L Wild Woods Farm COPPER SALMON WILDERNESS Tichenor Lifeboat Airfill Visitor Rock Station Station Center PORT ORFORD Golden Harvest Farms GRASSY KNOB (See Inset Map) Port Orford Community Co-op/Farmers Market Grassy Knob Trail WILDERNESS
Elk River Rocky Point Elk River Fish Hatchery Fish Hatchery Boat Launch
RIVER ELK
REDFISH ROCKS Old Coast Hwy Coquille River Falls Trail MARINE Humbug Trail RESERVE REDFISH Humbug ROCKS Mountain MPA State Park Panther Ridge Trail Humbug Mountain State Park Trail OUTDOOR Iron Mountain Trail
Upper Rogue River Trail Arizona Beach State Recreation Site
Foster Bar Campground Boat Launch Prehistoric RECREATION Gardens Sisters Rock State Park
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S R C A ER O ST OB C L Cougar Lane Boat Launch R N RIVE UE O OG MILES G R E Cedar Bend 8 R
O Golf Course Ophir Wayside Old Agness Store Boat Launch GRANTEE REVIEW, 2011 - 2016
SOUTH COAST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL WASHED ASHORE
The South Coast Development Council (SCDC) assumed initial Washed Ashore specializes in collecting the debris that washes leadership for the south coast’s food system development. As this up on south coast beaches and uses it to create captivating work developed, SCDC joined Neighborworks Umpqua, Oregon artwork with a compelling conservation message. These unique State University, and other local stakeholders in the seafood sculptures are part of a traveling exhibit that has journeyed across sector in a tri-county effort that promotes business investments the country. Washed Ashore provided the first-ever art exhibit at that would benefit local producers and consumers. The effort the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, DC. Pieces have expanded to become a collaborative group called the Southwestern also been displayed in the Smithsonian Institution, Sea World, Oregon Food System Collaborative (SWOFSC), which is led the Virginia Aquarium, and the San Francisco Zoo. Based in Old by Neighborworks Umpqua. SWOFSC is exploring regional Town Bandon, artist Angela Haseltine Pozzi enlists volunteers opportunities for economic development through analysis of the to clean up the beaches and then utilizes that debris to construct food system in Coos, Curry, and Douglas counties. The goal of massive sculptures of sea animals affected by the pollution. SWOFSC is to uplift the regional economy by collaborating with WRCA has supported this worthy endeavor for years, helping local food industry experts. SCDC also continues to help regional with administrative costs, strategic planning, and overall visibility. businesses expand through its Business Retention and Expansion Washed Ashore used a WRCA grant to help fund a new education (BRE) program. BRE assists local businesses in securing financing, director, who works to enhance the educational impact of the identifying potential grants, and promoting export trade of their various exhibits. The director also created the Washed Ashore goods. SCDC’s successes and vision to create a business incubation Integrated Arts Marine Debris curriculum, which is currently and entrepreneur center led it to run one of four pilot locations being piloted in the Bandon School District. This curriculum is for Business Oregon’s Rural Initiative. The Rural Entrepreneur also being used to educate docents who help viewers at its various Ecosystem Framework (REEF) program is aimed at providing the locations around the United States understand the artwork and the South Coast of Oregon with business incubation services, as well meaning behind it. as improving access to resources.
9 WRCA REFRESH SUMMARY
WRCA initiated this strategy refresh process in response to community feedback that its consultant, Arabella Advisors, gathered from stakeholders during a listening tour in July 2015. Throughout this refresh process in 2016, WRCA reassessed and refreshed its strategies with key stakeholders in the south coast community, identifying some new and existing initiatives in which to invest in through grant making, technical assistance, and convening work. WRCA hosted a two-day retreat at the Wild Rivers Center on October 26 and 27, 2016 and the Steering Committee is in the process of approving and further refining WRCA’s new strategic plan. A few of the refreshed key strategic initiatives are listed below.
WORKING LANDSCAPES AND SEASCAPES • Promote restoration strategies in partnership with agriculture, forestry and fisheries • Support the development of infrastructure to improve working seascapes • Work with landowners to ensure agricultural land continues to be used for agriculture and forest lands continue to be used for forestry • Assist new farmers, ranchers, and fishermen
SUSTAINABLE BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS • Develop businesses and nonprofits that are related to the natural resource base • Increase positive local benefits of visitors by expanding year-round tourism/visitorship experiences on the south coast aimed at increasing visitor spending • Build infrastructure to support local markets and their connections to regional and national markets
COLLABORATION AND CAPACITY • Build capacity of local businesses and nonprofits to strengthen their operations and increase their access to resources • Improve capacity and strategic partnerships to attract greater resources
10 REFLECTIONS FROM WRCA’S FOUNDER My philanthropy has been shaped by two pieces of advice. The first was from my dad, a former Eagle Scout. He’d instruct me and my three brothers to always leave a campsite nicer than we found it. While it took some time before I became a conservationist, my father’s rule made me aware at a young age of the land around me (not to mention taught me to be neat and tidy). In fact, my father had helped create the vistas of my childhood. A stockbroker living on two acres outside of Buffalo, he’d tell us that he had always dreamed of being a lumberjack in the Pacific Northwest, and he planted pine trees all over our property. Years later, my father’s philosophy was reflected in our approach to Bandon Dunes Golf Resort’s development, which was very much a restoration project. The three courses on the ocean were largely covered in non-native plants such as gorse, Scotch broom, and European beachgrass. We removed those plants, and the courses are now primarily covered in native red fescue—we left the land better than we found it. I received the second piece of guidance years later, when I had accumulated some wealth of my own. A friend told me that he gave away twice as much as his family spent on themselves. At first I was a bit flabbergasted, and then I tried it. I learned that if you have the means and live reasonably simply, it’s not so hard to give four times the amount we spend on ourselves. It’s a guideline I’ve lived by ever since. My philanthropy has been focused on four issues: inner-city education, conservation, support for the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, and relief and safety-net services. Improving outcomes for the poorest students in Chicago has been something my wife, Lindy, and I have worked toward through our support of organizations such as the Big Shoulders Fund, which successfully works to keep inner-city Catholic schools open and to propel their students out of the cycle of poverty. I’ve also been the board chairman at Teach For America. The organization is increasing the quality of education in Chicago by providing public and charter schools with 1,500 teachers, and, in the next two years, it will place over 300 principals and deputy principals in 625 public schools. In addition, my wife and I sit on boards at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and have recently given significant support to its capital campaign for its new state-of-the-art research hospital. Those causes are important to us, but our work in conservation—particularly on the south coast of Oregon— is something we’re focusing on even more intently than before. Over the past 10 years, I’ve increased my conservation support from 5 percent of my annual giving to between 15 and 20 percent, and I expect to ramp that up to 50 percent within the next five to 10 years. As an entrepreneur, I apply the same mindset and approach to my for-profit businesses as I do my philanthropy. Our work in Oregon is a great example of how you can achieve a triple bottom line—gaining social, environmental, and financial returns. I came to the south coast of Oregon in search of land to build a links-style golf course. In 1999, I opened Bandon Dunes in a county that had seen much of its economy disappear, that was known for its wind and rain, and that was hours away from the nearest city. The evening before its opening, the forecast for the next day was for rain, cold, and wind. We had a full tee sheet, but we were moaning that most of the golfers on the list were coming from Portland; we worried they wouldn’t make it. Three people didn’t. But 10 people who weren’t on the list showed up instead. We had found a formula for a successful golf resort—build on links land, and its authentic beauty will compel people to come. We also discovered a formula for protecting the land and sea by developing working landscapes and seascapes. Ultimately, the impact I seek is to keep the Oregon coast as it is now for the next 100 years. One way to do that is to keep this area sparsely populated by ensuring that the existing, gorgeous sheep and cattle ranches that dominate the coastline remain in operation. Current land use laws greatly support this goal, and we can supplement these protections with agricultural and conservation easements. 11 Another way to preserve the region is to develop clean tourism that will incentivize preservation and conservation while boosting the economy. Take, for example, the rockfish and salmon that once thrived in this area. Farming practices have radically decreased their populations. But if we can find creative means of altering those practices in a way that would help farmers, preserve the fish populations, attract sport fishermen, increase tourism and strengthen the economy, it would be a home run for many. We’ve proven that developing working landscapes can work with Bandon Dunes, which has created 550 jobs and 300 independent caddie contractor positions and is one of the top five employers in Coos County, all while preserving the land and its native species. We also support the Evans Scholars Foundation, which provides full, four-year tuition and housing scholarships to caddies who have a strong caddie record, are excellent students, and have a financial need. We’re proud to say that about 50 of our Bandon caddies are Evans Scholars. In 2010, we established the Wild Rivers Coast Alliance to support our triple-bottom-line endeavors. We fund WRCA through the entire proceeds of Bandon Preserve, one of our five courses at Bandon Dunes. The 13-hole, par 3 course is remarkable in its beauty and noteworthy for its mission. WRCA funds community- supported projects on the south coast of Oregon that seek triple-bottom-line results and use approaches that blend innovative ecological initiatives with initiatives that drive economic opportunity. It focuses on supporting healthy fish and species habitats, working landscapes and seascapes, sustainable tourism, and local entrepreneurs. Beyond WRCA, Lindy and I have established a donor-advised fund at the Oregon Community Foundation, which has given approximately $4 million to the south coast community. One of the most meaningful gifts we make is the Mr. Michael and Lindy Keiser Scholarship Fund, which awards scholarships to Bandon High School students that are renewable for four years. Without scholarships, most recipients would not attend college. We’ve also supported health care in the region, with gifts to the Coast Community Health Center and the Bay Area Hospital. Through our efforts at Bandon Dunes and WRCA, we will continue to work hard to bring more clean tourism to the area by improving the fish stock in the rivers to bring in more sport fishermen, and creating ways to attract more bicyclists, golfers, and other outdoor recreation enthusiasts. We are also turning our sights to the local food economy, finding ways to support south coast cranberry growers, and salmon, rockfish, oyster, and clam fisheries in order to help them market their goods in nearby cities, such as Seattle. We undertake all these efforts with the aim of creating working landscapes and seascapes, jobs, and opportunities for those who live here. I may not have ended up becoming a lumberjack in Oregon, but I know my father would be absolutely delighted by my deep appreciation for its landscapes and seascapes, and my solid commitment to preserve it and enhance the local economy. I am enormously proud that my own children are starting their own philanthropic efforts with the same lessons in mind, and that our family’s legacy may be one of breathtaking natural beauty that can be shared by many for years to come.
Mike Keiser Owner, Bandon Dunes Golf Resort Founder, Wild Rivers Coast Alliance
12 CELEBRATING 5 YEARS OF SERVICE ON THE SOUTH COAST 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 13 Each year, WRCA has produced an Annual Report to highlight the year’s accomplishments. For stories that accompany the pictures below visit: http://x.co/WRCAreport
14 Circles in the Sand: Denny Dyke, Labyrinth Artist and Pamela Hansen, Photographer