VtF Newsletter - August, 2025

Gretchen Dubie
Aug 5
6 min read

Updated: Aug 27

Director's Message:

"We preserve, protect, and enhance the natural environment through collaborative actions for scientific, educational, recreational, cultural, and economic goals that benefit the Yachats community and its future generations."

Dear Friends of View the Future,

This month marks one year since I stepped into the role of Executive Director for View the Future. Over the past twelve months, I’ve had the privilege of building upon the strong foundation laid by our board, volunteers, and community partners. Together, we’ve made meaningful strides in protecting our treasured landscapes, deepening cultural education, and forging new partnerships that strengthen both our mission and our community.

Our progress has been possible because of your support—whether through time, expertise, or donations. As we look ahead, sustaining the momentum we’ve built will require continued investment in my leadership role. Your support directly enables us to expand land protection efforts, grow our cultural education programming, and cultivate the partnerships that make lasting impact for this community possible.

In the coming year, we aim to protect more ecologically significant lands, offer more opportunities for learning and connection, and engage more people in the stewardship of our shared natural and cultural heritage. I’m deeply grateful for the trust and encouragement you’ve shown me over the past year, and I look forward to the important work we will accomplish together in the future.

Please consider a donation to help support our continued momentum. https://www.viewthefuture.org/donate

With so much gratitude,

Gretchen Dubie, Executive Director

What’s New?

Two groups visit Amanda Trail for Inspiration and History:

Yachats Library Junior Conservationists Series…

In partnership with the Yachats Library’s Junior Conservationist Series, View the Future took young explorers on a journey through time—sharing stories of the Indigenous Tribes who have called our coast home for generations. Kids learned how these communities grew, gathered, and cooked their food… and even got to taste sweet, tangy salmonberries fresh from the land! It was a delicious way to connect history, culture, and conservation, and examine clues on how they can be present day stewards and future leaders.

Yachats resident Shannon Loucks, View the Future’s storyteller, brings the past to life through vivid tales of the Indigenous people who once thrived along our coast. She shares how they cultivated the land, gathered its gifts, and built a life in harmony with nature—while also honoring the truths of their history.

View the Future Partners with Cape Perpetua Collaborative and Afro Refugee Program in Salem

In partnership with our friends at Cape Perpetua Collaborative, a group of young refugees from a Salem group Outdoor Afro- visited Yachats, bringing with them a huge sense of curiosity and enthusiasm to learn about our local marine preserve, the Amanda Trail History and some of our local plant species. After some tide pool exploring with CPC Tidepool Ambassadors, we walked the Amanda Trail, tasted some salmon berries and shared sacred moments of reflection in the grotto, which we felt honored to be part of. For nearly all the visitors, it was their first time experiencing the Oregon Coast. For many, it was also their first hike through the woods—and for everyone, their first introduction to our local history. Many participants shared the impact this experience had on them as being very meaningful and something they will never forget, and neither will we!

Thank you to Outdoor Afro’s Ambassador, Michael Arthur and CPC’s Talaina King, for all their work in helping make this happen.

PARTNERS PROTECTING

View the Future Partnership Rehabilitates 804 Trail

View the Future is partnering with Oregon Parks and Recreation on a rehabilitation project with the 804 N Trail along the Pacific Ocean, which is also a part of the Oregon Coast Trail. With additional partnerships of the Fireside Resort and State Historical Preservation Office, VtF is assisting in coordinating and entirely funding a rehabilitation project on parts of this Trail to make it accessible for wheelchairs and other adaptive equipment. As storm debris, water and sand frequently block drainage, the trail has been subject to unlevel and erratic water-flow patterns making it difficult for wheels of all kinds, to travel safely along the trail. We look forward to smoother and level surfaces by Spring.

kids on wheels people on wheels goat (no wheels)

Volunteer Spotlight:

SHANNON LOUCKS Preserving Cultural History through Storytelling

Shannon Loucks had no idea what she was “buying into” as she and her husband “Pucky” and two boys, KJ and Mitchell, moved into the former B&B at 1010 Hwy 101 in Yachats. A native from Vancouver Island, with a 10-year stint in Santa Clara California, Shannon knew the Oregon Coast was calling them to make it home. She and Pucky were shocked the day after they moved into their home, to receive a card at the door welcoming them to the neighborhood by next door neighbor Joanne Kittel. In all their moves, no one had ever left a card introducing themselves, so Shannon was compelled to meet her neighbor. Once they arranged to meet, Joanne quickly drew her and Pucky into their shared love and feeling of connectedness to the Amanada Trail and the complex history of the original people of Yachats. A bonus to Shannon was that the Amanda Trail began at the foot of her driveway and she had already read up on it and was familiar with the Amanda Story. Shannon had already begun to care for the trail as she walked it daily and felt a responsibility to keep it safe and clear for people. Joanne emphasized the need to

honor the truth about our history here and Shannon was intrigued by Joanne’s openness about the past genocidal practices here and was drawn to the story.

Shannon has embraced her volunteer role with View the Future as the storyteller of the Amanda Story, a responsibility that has deeply impacted her. She recalls attending a tribal Salmon Ceremony as Joanne’s guest, learning so much simply by watching and listening to Joanne’s humble interactions with the Tribe. Shannon was especially moved by the way the community celebrated, honored, and cared for one another—pointing out that “no elder walked alone.”

Being the role of storyteller to the kids is what has impacted Shannon the most in this role. “They are enthusiastic to learn, are engaged and receptive. It is exciting to see it [the Amanda Story] quickly hitting their hearts because they are so open.” Shannon shares her connection to View the Future is embedded in her belief that we only get one planet, and we need to take care of it. She reflects that through our shared history; we can find lessons of how to heal and carry our work forward. When asked to describe her role with View the Future in 3 words, she chose: INSPIRED, IMPACTFUL, and MULTI-GENERATIONAL.

Thank you, Shannon!

Cultural Presentations and Events:

Marion Brooks: The Lost Story of Emmett Till

An Evening of History, Reflection & Truth-Telling

Marion Brooks, an investigative journalist and co-anchor of NBC News Chicago, shares her work on “The Lost Story of Emmett Till: The Universal Story” the powerful Emmy winning documentary she and colleagues produced.

Date: August 11, 2025

Time: 7:00 pm

Location: Yachats Commons

Suggested Donation: $10

In this deeply moving presentation, Marion Brooks will explore the hidden history behind one of the most pivotal events in the American civil rights movement—the murder of Emmett Till—and why telling this story now is more important than ever.

As the producer and author of the NBC docuseries The Lost Story of Emmett Till, Marion offers a behind-the-scenes look at how journalism, memory, and social justice intersect to illuminate the truth. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from a powerful voice in contemporary storytelling and engage in an important conversation about history, legacy, and the power of truth.

Save the Date for October 12, 2025

“Our Lands – Our Cultures” Program to Spotlight Tribal Resilience, Restoration, and Connection to Place

View the Future, Yachatians for Social Justice, and the Yachats Chamber of Commerce are honored to present “Our Lands – Our Cultures,” a powerful community event celebrating the strength, resilience, and cultural restoration efforts of local tribal communities.

This informative afternoon will highlight the inspiring stories of survival and resurgence of the descendants of Coast Range prison camps—stories rooted in perseverance, cultural restoration, and deep connection to land and community

Featured speakers:

Jesse Beers, an enrolled citizen and Cultural Stewardship Manager for the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians. For over 15 years, Jesse has worked to integrate traditional ecological knowledge into restoration projects across the region. His leadership reflects a deep commitment to cultural heritage, community wellbeing, and environmental stewardship.

Lisa Norton, MSW, is an enrolled member and Chief Administrative Officer of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, where she manages a wide range of initiatives, from infrastructure to public safety and community support. With nearly 20 years of service to her Tribe, Lisa brings expertise in social services, advocacy, and program development. Her work is deeply informed by her long-standing roots in Lincoln County and her dedication to the well-being of future generations.

Together, Jesse and Lisa are not only preserving cultural traditions but actively shaping a future in which both people and the land can thrive. Their stories and insights will inspire all who care about cultural resilience, ecological integrity, and community-based restoration.

Date: Sunday, October 12, 2025

Time: 2:00 PM

Location: Yachats Commons

This event is free and open to the public. All are welcome.