Oregon Ocean Conservation Fund Protects Coastal Resources

Oregon’s coastline stretches 360 miles with state waters extending three nautical miles from shore. Oregon’s nearshore ocean hosts abundant and diverse wildlife, plays a crucial role in regulating the climate and is a significant economic driver of tourism, outdoor recreation and fishing. At the same time, our ocean is facing threats, including climate change effects (e.g., sea level rise and ocean acidification), habitat degradation, biodiversity loss, unsustainable development and pollution.

Oregon has taken action to protect its marine and coastal resources. Starting in 2012, five marine reserves and associated marine protected areas went into effect along the coast. Marine reserves are areas in Oregon’s coastal waters dedicated to conservation and scientific research, where fishing and ocean development are restricted. The marine reserve sites are located at Cape Falcon near Cannon Beach, Cascade Head near Lincoln City, Otter Rock north of Newport, Cape Perpetua near Yachats and Redfish Rocks in Port Orford. The Oregon Marine Reserve Program underwent its 10-year assessment and has entered its second decade with an adaptive management approach.

In 2022, Oregon updated the state's Rocky Habitat Management Strategy, which includes management designations for all tidepools, headland cliffs, submerged reefs and offshore rocks and lands. The state established five new rocky habitat marine conservation and research areas, and management planning is underway.

The Oregon Ocean Conservation Fund

In 2017, Oregon Community Foundation established the Oregon Ocean Conservation Fund, a donor advised fund, to amplify the efforts of coastal conservation leaders to educate and engage their communities in Oregon’s marine reserves. Over time, the fund expanded to support nearshore ocean protection more broadly and to build ocean issue awareness and engagement of diverse coastal people.

Bolstered by a multiyear commitment from three foundations, the fund increased the capacity and impact of coastal organizations, especially rural, place-based groups. Over seven years, the Oregon Ocean Conservation Fund made 44 grants to 13 different organizations:

• Cape Perpetua Collaborative 
• Cascade Head Biosphere Reserve
• Friends of Otter Rock
• North Coast Land Conservancy
• Oregon Coast Aquarium
• Oregon Coast Trail Foundation
• Oregon Ocean Science Trust
• Oregon State University Foundation
• Redfish Rocks Community Team
• Seven Capes Bird Alliance (formerly Lincoln City Audubon)
• Surfrider Foundation of Oregon

*Several of the organizations were funded under a fiscal sponsorship agreement with another organization.

Through local, innovative and place-based work, these organizations are engaging communities in protecting our state’s iconic coastline and nearshore ocean.  

Impact Report 2017-2024

The report below recounts how the fund and its approach prepared organizations to lead a new era of nearshore ocean conservation and community engagement. OCF thanks The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, The Lazar Foundation, The Harder Foundation and all donors for their support of the Oregon Ocean Conservation Fund.

Learn More

Working with communities and supported by donors, OCF supports solutions that benefit the air, lands, water and people of Oregon. For more information, please visit oregoncf.org/environment.