Tillamook County Wellness and Tillamook Estuaries Partnership bring you Part 1 of Four Seasons Of Foraging! Throughout the year we will co-host 4 events highlighting the unique foraging opportunities coastal Oregon provides.
Join us and local educator Alanna Kieffer from Shifting Tides LLC at Barview Jetty for a day of mussel foraging! This workshop will introduce students to rocky intertidal ecosystems of the Oregon Coast. We will discuss tides, ocean conditions, and safety and etiquette on the rocks. Students will learn how to sustainably harvest shellfish, as well as how to clean and prepare shellfish once home. There will be a focus on foraging mussels and other edibles including barnacles, and seaweed (seaweed is dependent on the season, ONLY March-June 15).
Students will learn when and where to look for these organisms as well as how to sustainably harvest, store, and process them. You’ll then have time to forage for yourself and ask questions as you go. There will be a beachside cooking demonstration to wrap up the workshop so that you will confident cooking your shellfish when you get home.
You will need a shellfish permit, which can be obtained online from ODFW, please purchase one before class, and have it available on the app on your phone for easy access in case needed.
Special Instructions to access the event location: There’s a $10 parking fee at Barview Jetty – if paying this is a financial burden for you but you would like to attend, please reach out to danielle@tbnep.org. Go through the campground to the actual end of the jetty (big open parking lot with a view of the beach) NOT the lot before the entrance gate.
Foraging requires some significant walking including some potentially difficult terrain (we will be scrambling down some rocks), so please wear appropriate footgear (e.g. tennis shoes, rainboots, or other hiking footwear. For your own safety and comfort, do not wear flipflops or sandals. Do keep in mind your feet are likely to be in the water at some point, so rainboots are what I would strongly recommend.
The Event will happen rain or shine (unless thunder-storming). If the weather looks “iffy” please bring a rain poncho, jacket and hat. Please be prepared for any and all types of weather, the Oregon Coast is often not predictable and we will be fully exposed to the elements. There’s a 100% chance you will get wet during this class! *If* conditions day off are not safe in this environment, we will use what we can to demonstrate, and teach, and potentially move to another spot.
What to bring: You will need a harvest bag (mesh, reusable grocery bag works great, or even plastic bag), or bucket, as well as scissors, a knife, or gardening gloves, and a cooler with ice to transport your harvest home. Please also bring a water bottle, snacks and any other refreshments you may want during the Event. Personal medications and sunscreen are also recommended.
You will need a shellfish permit, which can be obtained online from ODFW, please purchase one before class, and have it available on the app on your phone for easy access in case needed.
This is a free event and registration will be capped at 15 attendees.
Accessibility Level: We will be walking on the beach and scrambling on large boulders that make up the Jetty. The parking lot is made up of small gravel and dirt. Please see pictures below and on the Explore Nature ‘Know Before You Go‘ resource page for more information on whether this event is accessible for you (pictures will be uploaded at least two weeks prior to event date). If there is any other information we can provide or accommodations we can help with, please email danielle@tbnep.org.
This is an Explore Nature Tillamook Coast event. Explore Nature is sponsored in part by Tillamook Coast Visitors Center and Travle Oregon.
