VtF Newsletter - September, 2025

Gretchen Dubie
Sep 3
7 min read

Updated: Oct 2

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."

Happy Fall Friends! One of my favorite times of year for being outside and enjoying all the changes of the season. As the leaves turn and fall settles in, nature reminds us that change is part of a beautiful cycle. Each falling leaf feeds the earth, preparing for the new growth that will come in spring. Fall also invites us to pause and reflect on what is precious and worth preserving.

I am inspired by Peter Wohlleben’s words, in The Hidden Life of Trees: “A tree can be only as strong as the forest that surrounds it.” That rings true for our community here in Yachats, and the natural spaces and people we care for. The flower gardens along highway 101 that are tended to so diligently by caring volunteers, the nature paths we walk and the plants we enjoy throughout town- all cared for by the people who enjoy them. When a person needs a helping hand, someone in the village is eager to offer that help. Like the roots of a forest, our connections—though often unseen—keep our work strong. Every tree, plant, and open space matter, just as every person who helps care for them makes a difference. When one part of nature struggles, the rest steps in to restore balance. By caring for the places around us, we ensure they remain vibrant and full of life—for us today and for our future generations.

Together, we can protect and strengthen all that surrounds us. Thank you for being part of our land trust community, for View the Future is as strong as the community that surrounds it. We could not do this work without all of you who support us to balance our important work in preserving land and culture.

Well wishes and much gratitude,

Gretchen

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

What’s New?

What’s New?

Walkway Project Funding is Secured

The Walkway project is an 8-year-old endeavor to complete a dangerous gap in the Oregon Coast Trail along the Yachats Estuary. With the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) Local Government Grant Award of $732,000, all funding is secured! View the Future has been a representative in the workgroup since its inception with Joanne Kittel, Co-chair, wearing two hats– one representing VtF and one as a Yachats Trail Leader.

With permission from the City Council, VtF raised $65,000 from both residents and visitors, thanks in part to the generosity of the Fireside’s opt-out program under the umbrella of VtF. We are especially grateful to Greg and Nan Scott for their significant contribution to this project.

Bob Langley, Yachats Trails Group Leader, was the primary grant writer for the Local Government Grant. Bob spent many hours writing a meticulous application. It was complex and had several requirements. With the help of Rick Sant, former ad-hoc City Manager and Bobbi Price, City Manager, Ocean View Drive was transferred from the County to the City, eliminating a huge hurdle. This project is a shining example of a dedicated and skilled workgroup coming together with multiple partners to achieve success. As these collaborations continue, we look forward to celebrating the project’s completion by this time next year.

Volunteer spotlight:

Thanks to many hands, A multi-step improvement of the Amanda Gathering is finished!

In February, with the Help of Job Corps and volunteer Ray Pedrick, VtF placed a 16-foot circle of rocks around the Amanda Statue, filed with 6 inches of soil, and 4 inches of gravel to protect the roots of the surrounding trees that were being crushed by the many visitors coming to the area. The Trails/YIPS Workgroup and VtF volunteers laid down ground cloth from the parking area to the Gathering Area. Thank you, Michael, Ray, John Pavel, Kelly Lattig, John Theilacker, Kathleen Tooke, George Giroux, Kevin Erdahl, and Matt DeVecchio for your extremely hard work. Oh yes, and Roger, Joanne’s dog also helped. To finish off this project, Michael and Ray stayed and weed whacked it. We love these collaborations!

View the Future is proud to partner with the Yachats Wildlife Association and Seven Capes Bird Alliance to make Yachats an official Bird City—the very first on the Pacific Coast! Bird City recognition celebrates communities that protect bird habitats, reduce threats, and bring people together through conservation and education.

This effort is already backed by an amazing group of local leaders and organizations, including The Lions Club, SWIFTY, Seven Capes Bird Alliance, View the Future, Yachats Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Yachats. A special thank-you goes to Jim Welch for championing this effort.

With official approval from the Yachats City Council at the August City Council Meeting, the final step—our application—is now in motion! Once accepted, Yachats will receive a $1,000 Bird City grant to kick off the program and begin marketing our community as a bird-friendly destination. We can’t wait to celebrate this milestone together—Ya-who!

Volunteer Spotlight:

Michael LaBare

Mike and his wife Laurie moved to Yachats five years ago after spending summers here for two decades. As proud multi-generational Oregonians, they were drawn to the coast’s beauty and community spirit.

Mike first connected with View the Future (VtF) in 2022 while organizing the Yachatians for Social Justice conference. Inspired by VtF’s work in conservation and healing from Yachats’ painful history as the site of the Alsea Subagency, Mike soon became the liaison between YSJ and VtF. Since then, he and Laurie have helped plan events and presentations that bring people together to learn, reflect, and take action.

“VtF truly makes Yachats a special place — even for those who may not yet know the history,” Mike says.

Fun fact: Mike’s career took him across Asia, where his Mandarin skills helped him connect with people and cultures — an experience he still treasures today. Reflecting how the people in China love Americans saying “'Wo shi mei guo ren' (I’m an American) is a sure way to be welcomed and treated to all their country has to offer."

We are grateful for Mike's energy and leadership as we work to keep Yachats protected and thriving for generations to come.

Cultural Presentations and Events:

Not too Late to see Marion Brooks: The Lost Story of Emmett Till

An Evening of History, Reflection & Truth-Telling

Marion Brooks: The Lost Story of Emmett Till

An Evening of History, Reflection & Truth-Telling was truly an eye-opening event with 100+ attendees all deeply engaged in the conversation. We have had many requests for a recording of the event, so here is a link to the evening presentation for your viewing: https://youtu.be/QAx486BfxCY

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. In this deeply moving presentation, Marion Brooks explored 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 is more important than ever.

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.

Won’t You Join Us on a Tour of Yachats Ridge?

Our tours are the 4^th Saturday of every month. We meet at Yachats Commons and VtF drivers will escort you along to 7 stops along the way that highlight the cultural and conservation assets of the property. The longest distance at the stops is 1/8 mile on a trail. You will see magnificent views (weather depending), and a variety of ecological and geological sites that highlight Yachats’history and environmental uniqueness. See for yourself why this is such an important parcel of land to preserve for our future. Sign up here:

https://www.viewthefuture.org/event-details/tour-of-the-yachats-ridge-2

Photo credit for below goes to Jason Sufficool

Top left-right: Guests from August tour, VtF mascot Roger on cow pie lava bomb, Joanne in front of the communication tower, Commissioner Chuck on private tour, natural spring, and a foggy view of the southwest.

We are sorry to say the Climate Wisdom Lab workshop has been cancelled