Protecting Oregon's
central coast
Oregon’s central coast boasts some of the most breathtaking landscapes found in the Pacific Northwest. With miles of uninterrupted sandy beaches and dunes that flow abruptly into towering cliffs, it is no wonder that Oregonians from across the state make time to visit these incredible landscapes throughout the seasons. Here, salty fresh air blows through twisted, wind-swept trees before heading inland toward the Coast Range that boasts Old Growth forests, waterfalls, and countless streams and creeks to enjoy.
Oregon’s incredible central coast is a top conservation priority for McKenzie River Trust with nearly 800 acres already protected. This region contains many unique and valuable habitats, including tidal wetlands, salt spray meadows, coastal forests, and more. Here, we work alongside incredible people like you to protect and care for this landscape, our home, for generations to come.
Habitat conservation and restoration are made possible through the engagement and caring work of the many people committed to stewardship of their lands, waters, resources, and communities. We work on behalf of the community to build a culture of neighbors helping neighbors to care for land and water in the home we share.
For those who call the Oregon coast home, the well-being of your families and the economies of your towns are directly related to the health of coastal ecosystems. Important natural resources including salmon, clean drinking water, air quality, and local food systems benefit from land protection and habitat restoration. We invite you to join us in this work.
Supporting fisheries and drinking water quality, coastal lands and rivers provide important resources for all who call these lands home. Enhancing salmon habitat, protecting clean water, and investing in natural infrastructure to buffer communities against a changing climate are at the forefront of our work on Oregon’s central coast.
Protecting and Caring for Oregon's Central Coast
Community well-being is tied to the land and ecosystems that surround us. Not only do natural areas benefit from protection and restoration but local economies do as well. Since 2004, we have worked with partners on the central coast to conserve more than 800 acres of land, including the 210-acre Waite Ranch in the Siuslaw estuary along Highway 126 between Mapleton and Florence.
From Reedsport to Lincoln City, McKenzie River Trust works with communities to identify lands and waters most in need of protection and bring critical resources and conservation tools to the area.
In the face of a changing climate private land conservation is an essential tool in protecting sensitive upland forests, floodplains, estuaries, and coastlines. Communities along the central coast face unique challenges with sea level rise, changes in precipitation patterns, and water security. Conservation of natural areas and resources is a sound investment to protect clean water, abundant fisheries, and vibrant communities.
Stories from the Field
430-acre Yakona Nature Preserve & Learning Center protected forever!
Local conservation organizations Yakona Nature Preserve and McKenzie River Trust have partnered to permanently protect 430 acres on the Yaquina River estuary. Founded by longtime Newport residents JoAnn and Bill Barton, Yakona Nature Preserve & Learning Center offers educational programming, community events, and guided access to the historic site. This month, the area was permanently protected through a conservation easement with McKenzie River Trust, ensuring the site’s future remains focused on serving the community through conservation, education, and building cultural connections.
Partners Break Ground on Tidal Wetland Restoration Project 10 Years in the Making
A decade after McKenzie River Trust, purchased 217-acre Waite Ranch in the Siuslaw Estuary, partners are breaking ground on a large-scale restoration project. Led by the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians (CTCLUSI), the project will improve salmon and shorebird habitat, contribute to regional climate resilience, and provide a place for local Tribal citizens and families to celebrate and promote Indigenous culture on their ancestral lands.
Property Donation Protects Coho Salmon Habitat on Oregon Coast
In March of 2023, the Estergard family donated 85 of their original 300 acres of farmland on the North Fork of the Siuslaw River to McKenzie River Trust. The site, located a few miles upstream from the confluence with the mainstem Siuslaw River, provides important habitat for native species including Coho Salmon, lamprey, and waterfowl.