Registration is open for Oregon Sea Grant’s annual State of the Coast conference, taking place Oct. 24 at Southwestern Oregon Community College in Coos Bay.

Noted author and marine biologist Dr. Wallace “J” Nichols will deliver this year’s keynote address: “What happens when our most complex organ — the brain — meets the planets largest feature — water?” Nichols will discuss the research behind his book, Blue Mind.

Registration, which includes lunch, snacks and a reception, is $35.00, $25 for students. To register, and for more information, visit www.stateofthecoast.com.

After years in Florence (where it began as the Heceta Head Coastal Conference), organizers decided to move this year to Coos Bay in response to requests to bring the event to other Oregon coast communities.

State of the Coast brings scientists, students, industry and everyday citizens together to learn, network and engage in conversations about the current and future state of Oregon’s ocean and coastal environment.

This year’s morning plenary session will provide quick updates on coastal issues including new DEQ water quality rules, marine reserves, Oregon’s shellfish initiative, changing ocean conditions, an overview of 2014 fisheries and the threat of a Cascadia subduction zone earthquake. Afternoon break-out sessions allow participants to choose a topic to explore in more depth: Forage fish, Cascadia Earthquake, “The Blob”, Innovations in Fishing, Citizen Science Opportunities, Aquatic Invasive Species, and more.

The popular student research poster session will give participants an opportunity to interact with some of the state’s brightest university students and learn about current ocean and coastal research at Oregon universities.