TCVA’s Dan Haag sits down with Natalie Nites, Executive Director of the Nestucca, Neskowin, and Sand Lake Watersheds Council to discuss her role and the mission of the council to improve the environmental health of local watersheds. She highlights the challenges faced, including non-point source pollution and the need for collaboration with local communities and organizations. Natalie shares success stories from past projects, the importance of shade for aquatic life, and the prioritization of wildlife species in conservation efforts. She also addresses funding challenges, the balance between economic needs and environmental conservation, and long-term goals for watershed management.

Helpful Links:

• Nestucca, Neskowin, and Sand Lake Watersheds Council

• Tillamook Estuaries Partnership

• TEP’s Claudine Rehn on Tillamook Coast Conversations

• Salmon Superhighway

• Science on Tap (Pelican Brewing)

• TEP Water Quality Map

• Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB)

• Department of Environmental Quality

• The Nature Conservancy

• NOAA

• Private Forest Accord

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

• Lower Nehalem Community Trust

• Explore Nature

• Haystack Rock in Pacific City

• Cape Kiwanda

• Sandlake

• McKenzie River

Credits:

• Hosted by Dan Haag

• Music by Eric Sappington & Mercury Coast

• Edited by Jon Richardson