DOINews: BLM-Oregon: Bienvenido a Yaquina Head

Back by popular demand! The Bureau of Land Management Oregon is kicking off its second year of guided “Wildlife Watches” in Spanish at Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area.

Partnering with Environment for the Americas, an environmental education group, the BLM is hosting weekly interpretative programs highlighting the area's rich natural history and unrivaled wildlife viewing opportunities — all targeted to the local Latino community.

Last year's inaugural program was such a success that BLM employees are expanding the offerings this year to include a kayak tour, a career panel for an audience of high-school students, and off-site education programs with local schools and community organizations.

The Wildlife Watches in Spanish provide BLM Oregon the opportunity to promote the remarkable wildlife diversity of one of Oregon's most popular recreation sites, connect with an important segment of the population, and encourage conservation of sensitive marine ecosystems.

Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area is located on a narrow point of land jutting due west into the Pacific Ocean at the north end of Newport, Ore. This headland provides visitors with one of the most accessible wildlife and ocean viewing locations on the Pacific Coast. Standing 93 feet tall, the Yaquina Head Lighthouse has been a bright beacon of the night, guiding ships and their supplies along the West Coast since August 20, 1873.

Click here to read this story on the BLM My Public Lands Tumblr Blog.

Click here to read the BLM My Public Lands Tumblr story about Environment for the Americas and other BLM partners that received Department of the Interior grants for youth initiatives.

By: Stephen Baker, BLM Oregon
July 17, 2014