VtF November Newsletter 2025

Gretchen Dubie
Nov 6
5 min read

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."

There’s something extraordinary about living in a place so rich with nature’s treasures — where ancient forests, wild rivers, and coastal creatures remind us daily of the importance of care and stewardship. The deep history of Yachats, built on its foundation of sacred Indigenous sites, offers a glimpse of what life was like centuries ago and challenges us to honor that legacy through thoughtful preservation. We take pride in sharing our stunning surroundings with visitors, but we also know this land is ours to protect — today, tomorrow, and for generations to come. It’s up to us to ensure that the forests remain standing, the fish keep swimming upstream, and that our cultural and ecological assets including our beloved trails continue to connect people to nature in meaningful ways.

This month marks the beginning of our annual fundraising campaign, and we invite you to consider a gift of preservation to View the Future.

Together, we can ensure that Yachats remains a place where nature thrives, history endures, and beauty is protected for generations to come. As Jane Goodall once said, “You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”

With gratitude,

Gretchen

Please consider a donation to help support our continued momentum.

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Cultural Preservation:

“Our Lands Our Cultures”

“A powerful and heartfelt presentation...” a reflection by Joanne Kittel

In honor of Indigenous History Month, View the Future, Yachatians for Social Justice and Yachats Chamber of Commerce hosted Lisa Norton, Associate General Manager of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians and Jesse Beers, Cultural Stewardship Manager of the Confederated Tribes of Coos Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians, who spoke of their lands and cultures and the intimate connection between the two that has existed from time immemorial till present.

Among the topics included Canoe Culture and their steady work to acquire their aboriginal and treaty guaranteed lands that were stolen from them and developing them for cultural and economic resources. They have large gardens that feed their communities, build housing, and have medical clinics and educational/language programs. Even though they are coastal Tribes, their members are throughout the state, and therefore, they provide centers and services in the Willamette Valley as well.

Their presentation was both powerful and heartfelt. Attended by well over 100 people, the applause indicated how much they positively impacted the audience. In addition to Lisa and Jesse generously giving us their day off to speak in Yachats, they allowed this presentation to be digitally recorded. You can view it on our website at: www.viewthefuture.org/land-acknowledgement

Conservation Corner:

LANDSLIDES … DEBRIS FLOWS… OH MY! by John Ayer - View the Future Volunteer and former Administrative Officer for the Medicine Bow Forest in Wyoming & Routt National Forest in Colorado

Author’s self-interview:

WHOA! What happened here?

Well, I’ll get to that a little later, but first….

Since Yachats sits within a mosaic of rugged coast, dense forest, steep valleys, glades, and a myriad number of streams and drainages, have I given any thought to landslides? No. I mean it’s not the first thing that pops into my mind over a morning cup of coffee. So, I’m sure there are landslides, but probably not many. Be surprised! The Oregon Coast Range, where the Siuslaw National Forest is located, identified over 1,000 active landslides just since 2007 and likely increasing.

Ok, but that’s Mother Nature doing her thing. Right? I mean, after all, we get heavy, torrential rains and windstorms. What other causes could there be? Well, you’re partially correct, of course. However, here’s something to think about. A 1990’s study initiated by the Siuslaw NF for its Forest Plan and supportive of the Roadless Area Rule found that 41% of landslides were influenced by road building and 36% by logging, most notably in harvest units less than 20 years old, including clearcuts. Only 17% were attributed to the natural forest process, the lowest density being in old growth. In fact, a 1985 study found that roads, which occupied only 2% of the inventoried area, were the sites of over half the landslides! Correlation, Cause, or Influence?

So, really, how bad can the consequences be? After all, the landslides occur in the middle of nowhere. Right? WRONG! Depending on location, the landscape suffers long term soil erosion, vegetative destruction, loss of wildlife habitat and migration corridors, damage to aquatic ecosystems and water pollution, change of drainage patterns, biomass loss, increased flood risk, infrastructure damage to hiking trails, recreational activities and forest access, economic loss, financial damage and ecosystem degradation.

Oh. Well then, have we learned anything from our past? YES. As a result of recent research, both the USFS and Oregon have revised and tightened up their environmental requirements for road construction and logging in landslide prone areas. Of course, adherence to road and timber sale design, contract oversight, and post activity monitoring and restoration depend on adequate staffing and budget. Just sayin’…

So, what’s with the above photo?? This was a debris flow (a rapid torrent of mud, boulders, water and logs) that occurred on December 19, 2015, on the Kittel property. It destroyed the Amanda Trail Bridge, grotto and 400+ conifers. The area was filled in by up to 10+ feet! Likely cause? Torrential rain coupled with a past clear-cut from 14 years prior. Wow!

And that’s the rest of the story….

Amanda Trail Bridge, grotto, and 400+ conifers wiped out on Kittel property 12/19/2015. First photo looking east from former bridge site.

Partners Protecting

Roundhouse Foundation awards $27,500 to View the Future

We are thrilled to share the Roundhouse Foundation has awarded View the Future a multi-year grant totaling $27,500 to support our Organizational Growth and Stability over the next three years.

This generous award couldn’t come at a better time. With federal funding for land trusts and similar conservation organizations largely eliminated, and state resources stretched thin, competition for private foundation support has become tougher than ever. That’s why this recognition from the Roundhouse Foundation means so much — it’s a strong vote of confidence in the work we’re doing together to keep Yachats wild and beautiful.

This support also reflects the growing credibility View the Future has built over the past year, with additional funding from the Land Trust Alliance and several other foundations. Every bit of this momentum helps strengthen our mission and sustain our long-term commitment to land preservation and community well-being.

Thank you, Roundhouse Foundation, for believing in our mission and helping us grow stronger for the future!

Learn more about their inspiring work at www.RoundhouseFoundation.org.

It's Giving Season! Give Where you Live – Support Yachats’ Future -

As we head into the season of giving, we invite you to remember View the Future in your annual giving, estate plans, or will. Together, we’ve made incredible progress this year—advancing community initiatives, preserving land and culture, and strengthening partnerships that make Yachats a better place for all.

Let’s keep that momentum going! Your support—whether through a gift on Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday, or a special holiday contribution that doubles your impact (stay tuned for more details) —helps ensure that Yachats continues to thrive for generations to come.

Every gift, large or small, makes a lasting difference right here at home. Give locally. Give for the future. Give for Yachats.

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