Take off into the biosphere

The easier it becomes to take high-quality photos with small portable devices and the places to share those photos with others increases, places like Cascade Head will continue to attract locals and visitors to visit the sweeping views found in the area. But there is so much more to be found than ocean views at Oregon's only UNESCO Biosphere Region. 

Enter the Cascade Head Biosphere Explorience outings, a series of interactive, 90-minute walking tours that will guide people through the natural history of this remarkable place where land meets the sea. Tours will be on offer throughout October, with the first taking place on Wednesday, May 1.

Led by a trained naturalist, visitors will learn about the unique flora, fauna and geology of the Biosphere Region, the revolutionary conservation efforts on the Salmon River and the history of the Nechesne peoples, the first inhabitants of the land.

The Cascade Head Biosphere Region is a 102,110-acre site originally designated in 1976 on the Central Oregon Coast by the United Nations Man and Biosphere Programme, and then reauthorized to the current footprint in 2017. This rare ecosystem includes the Salmon River and its estuary, a sandy littoral spit, densely forested uplands, a two-mile basalt headland covered in native coastal prairie and a marine reserve stretching west into the Pacific Ocean. Wildlife in the region is diverse and abundant, including endangered species. This unique region is protected and managed by a community of agencies, non-profits, businesses and residents in the surrounding communities.

The Explorience outings will be led by local biosphere expert Margery Price. Price is a master's student studying geology and has a passion for creating outdoors education opportunities for all ages. She has led and designed various geoscience lessons and field trips throughout Oregon and helped script and present salmon education videos with the Cascade Head Biosphere Collective.

Visitors will be guided on a fascinating journey down a small watershed through an upland Sitka Spruce forest, tracing the fresh waters of a tributary to the Salmon River as they move across the land and into the fertile estuary itself where fresh water meets salt water. The area to be visited includes the Cascade Head Scenic Research Area, Cascade Head Experimental Forest, the Cascade Head Preserve and the Cascade Head Marine Reserve and Marine Protected Areas.

“As we share the beauty and significance of this true treasure, we also acknowledge and honor the Nechesne Peoples of the Salmon River, the original inhabitants of these lands," said Duncan Berry, co-director of the Cascade Head Biosphere Collaborative. "The Cascade Head Biosphere Collaborative pledges to work with their descendants, including the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians, going forward in inclusion and collaboration, to mutually benefit this shared place.” 

The Cascade Head Biosphere Region is a protected wildlife sanctuary — no hunting, camping, fires, bicycles, removal of foliage, or dogs (even on a leash) are allowed. The presence or scent of dogs in a habitat such as the Cascade Head Biosphere Region could force wild animals to leave their homes, both temporarily and permanently — so visitors need to leave their four-legged friends at home.

Participants will meet at Knight County Park at 10:30 am. For more information, go to explorelincolncity.com/events/exploriences.

2024 Cascade Head Biosphere Explorience Dates:

Saturday, May 11

Saturday, June 15

Thursday, July 11

Sunday, Aug. 11

Friday, Aug. 23

Saturday, Sept. 14

Saturday, Oct. 5