Cascade Head Biosphere Collaborative

The Cascade Head Biosphere Collaborative is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and sustaining the Cascade Head Biosphere Region, a 102,110-acre UNESCO-designated site on the central Oregon Coast. Originally recognized in 1976 and reauthorized in 2017, the region includes the Cascade Head Scenic Research Area, Cascade Head Experimental Forest, Nature Conservancy Preserve, Marine Reserve, and Marine Protected Areas encompassing the Salmon River estuary, coastal prairie, basalt headlands, and Pacific waters.

Through research, education, and community engagement, the Collaborative brings together scientists, artists, community members, educators, and local partners to promote environmental stewardship, sustainable tourism, and climate resilience—ensuring a thriving future for both people and nature. Learn more at cascadehead.org. 


The Cascade Head Biosphere Collaborative respectfully acknowledges that the lands on which the Biosphere Region is located are the original homelands of the Nechesne Peoples of the Salmon River.  The Collaborative pledges to work with their descendants, including the Confederated Tribes of Grande Ronde Community and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians, going forward in inclusion and collaboration, to mutually benefit this place where the land meets the sea.

CHBC x CHMR

The Cascade Head Biosphere Collaborative connects people to the Cascade Head Marine Reserve through our three core pillars:

  • Education: We engage young minds with hands-on learning, from programs like The Story of Life as Told by Water to the young at heart with events like Natural Arts and Sciences on Tap, exploring marine science and conservation.

  • Climate: In collaboration with our federal, state, tribal, and non-profit partners in the 4CAST Project, we conduct research to better understand the thermal impacts of climate change on our coastal ecosystems. Learn more at 4CASTproject.org.

  • Community: We engage the public through events and programs that connect people to the land and sea, such as Art on the Beach, Biosphere Experiences, Estuary Tours, and our Biosphere Beach Ambassador program. These activities foster stewardship, promote sustainable practices, and strengthen the relationship between the community and the ocean.

Learn more at cascadehead.org.

Stay Connected

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or sign up to our Newsletter!

Cascade Head Marine Reserve

Just north of the Cascade Head Marine Reserve (CHMR), the Salmon River flows out into the ocean providing a freshwater input into the marine environment. The area around Cascade Head is also a major upwelling center that creates productive waters that influence areas to the south.

BENEATH THE SURFACE

The reserve has a diversity of habitats with both shallow (< 25 m) and deep (> 25 m) rocky habitats including large boulders and flat bedrock, as well as emergent rocks with soft bottom habitats both shoreward and offshore of the rocky reef. It includes the northern segment of Siletz Reef, an extensive rocky reef complex that spans approximately 44 mi2, extending offshore two to three miles and to depths up to 150ft, and goes beyond the reserve to the north and south. This reef is home to many species of groundfish such as canary rockfish, invertebrates such as giant plumose anemones, and seaweeds. Small stretches of rocky intertidal habitats are found along the shore on the north end of the marine reserve at the Roads End headland. Here you’ll find invertebrates such as mussels, sea stars, and snails as well as a variety of seaweeds.

Take a deep dive into the marine reserve by visiting ODFW’s Marine Reserves website and perusing the Cascade Head Marine Reserve Site Management Plan

LOCATION AND SIZE

The Cascade Head Marine Reserve is located off the central Oregon coast, stretching between the Cascade Head headland and Lincoln City. The site includes a marine reserve surrounded by three Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

Size: 15mi2, Average depth: 0-164ft

VISITING

Visitors of Cascade Head Marine Reserve have many opportunities for wildlife viewing and other outdoor recreational activities in and around this area. Nearby parks include Roads End and Knight Park. Hiking trails atop Cascade Head afford views overlooking the site. Much of the land around Cascade Head and the Salmon River is protected. Nearby towns and ports include Pacific City, Otis, Lincoln City, Depoe Bay, and Newport.

HISTORY

The process that led to Oregon’s five marine reserve sites involved multiple phases and coastal community members, ocean users, and other interested Oregonians working with state decision makers to design and site marine reserves and protected areas in locations that would provide ecological benefits while minimizing adverse social and economic impacts to ocean users and coastal communities.

Baseline monitoring began at Cascade Head Marine Reserve began in 2012. Harvest restrictions began in 2014.

Read more about the history of Oregon’s marine reserve sites. 

Subscribe

Subscribe