Port Orford

Neal and Zach perfecting the ODFW sign at the Port Orford barbecue on June 25, 2017.

This week was a testament to the value of human interaction. We began our escapades at the dock of Port Orford in southern Oregon. Three coolers of burger patties, rockfish, and Coca-Colas later, we had ourselves a barbecue! After a mad dash for pastries and slaw, the Marine Reserves team from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) gathered together to talk with local fishermen. Over burgers, I heard the story of one couple that I found especially exceptional.

Michelle

Michelle and her husband were new to Port Orford and happened to be out on the sea for the day. When they returned to the dock, they saw our gathering and stopped by. Having recently retired, Michelle found herself reaching out to the community to begin to engage and meet others around her. She shared that it was odd to go to the grocery store and not hear a single hello or partake in a conversation with a neighbor, as she once had experienced in her hometown in California. As we chatted, I found hope in her story. Through her love for nature and concern for ocean preservation, Michelle found friendships within our tent. I watched as a group of people breached social barriers and connected in their mutual interest in science, food, and marine conservation.

Sarah and Jaqui at the Port Orford barbecue on June 25, 2017.

Later that night as we gathered for science at the pub, I saw Michelle once again. After a few rounds of scientific bingo and facts about rockfish, Michelle introduced me to her husband. They informed me that they had signed up as volunteers and would now be involved with the Redfish Rocks Community team, working towards ocean preservation. I left Port Orford the following day with a pleasant reminder that social science and human interaction plays an important role in the natural sciences and conservation.

Garibaldi 

Flag from the Port of Garibaldi on June 27, 2017.

What was that count again? Over 100 people showed up at our Garibaldi barbecue! There wasn’t a moment to spare between wrapping fish boats and restocking patties as our grill master cooked up a storm. Once again the significance of communication was the spotlight of our event, as fisherman and community members shared with us their thoughts on the marine reserves. As you may recall from my last post, the focus of this summer is to study the socioeconomic effects that the implementation of marine reserves may have had on surrounding fishing communities. This event was the ideal example of varieties of feedback, valued equally in an open space. By encouraging communication of all kinds, we are able to better balance preservation efforts with human need for resources. As I am learning repeatedly this summer, resources continue to be limited as populations grow. Whether addressing economic or marine preservation topics, finding an equilibrium is key in creating effective change.

Humbug Mountain State Park

Humbug Mountain State Park.

Did you know that people who frequently experience a sense of awe report higher life satisfaction? Though this fact may seem obvious, it can easily be overlooked. Humbug Mountain State Park boosted my life satisfaction by miles.

Sparse pink flowers in the sunlight.

The variety of ferns, mosses, and trees kept me constantly amazed. Perhaps I was a botanist in another life. I’d like to close this week by sharing photos from our hike. Seeing this kind of beauty makes it difficult to keep experiences all to yourself.

Photo by Neal Tyson.

Until next time, Sarah Ann Coffin