Written by Laura Kennedy, Serene Bertram and Robin Kenndel

Westwinds Eco-Systems

- Chief Seattle (1854)

Located across the Salmon River south of Cascade Head and six miles north of Lincoln City is a unique area where mountains, forests and the ocean converge forming one of the most beautiful places on Oregon's Pacific coast. This area, 503 acres of it, is home to Camp Westwind, owned and operated by the YCWA of Portland, and is only accessible by boat. Westwind is unique because it contains five ecosystems, which consist of prime coastal beaches, a natural salt-water estuary, forests, lake and meadowlands.

"The Salmon River Estuary has been through many changes because of increased human activity. The river was once diked so ranchers could let their cattle graze in the fields, but in 1978 concerned citizens worked with the Forest Service to start a Land Reclamation project to remove these dikes and allowed the estuary to return to a natural salt marsh."

In 1973 Senator Bob Packwood began preparations for legislation to preserve Cascade Head, where Westwind resides. During this preparation, Packwood meant with Westwind committee members Taylor Walsh and Barbara Blakesley. In a letter written in 1973 to Senator Packwood, Blakesley discusses the bill and hopes that it will contain stringent environmental protective measures. She also notes in her letter that it is her hopes that money to purchase the land will back the bill. Blakesley is concerned because the YWCA has gone out on a financial limb to acquire and protect the land, and may need to rely on the government for funds in the near future.

This legislative bill was passed by Congress in 1975 extending the boundaries of the Siuslaw National Forest south and east to include the mouth of the Salmon River and surrounding wetlands in Lincoln and Tillamook counties. This land included the Salmon River Estuary, which is Oregon's smallest and most pristine, and is a protected area used as a haven for wildlife, waterfowl research and educational activities.

The Salmon River Estuary was eventually restored back to its natural flow and salt water flooded soon found its way back into the fields. Salt tolerant plant species returned to the estuary and plants that could not adapt to salt, such as Alder trees, located on the edge of the estuary, eventually died off.

The location of the Salmon River Estuary is where the Pacific Ocean extends inland to meet the mouth of the Salmon River. This is where fresh water of the Salmon River, and the salt water of the Pacific Ocean meet forming calm, shallow, brackish water. The water and salinity levels constantly change with the tides. "Critical phases of salmon and steelheads life histories occur in estuaries. Herring, the major feed for salmon, specifically need estuaries for spawning. In addition, flounder, ocean perch, sea trout and lingcod can be found living in or near the Salmon River Estuary."

Wilson Lodge, the camp's focal point which contains dining and kitchen facilities, was originally completed in 1938, two years after the property was purchased. In 1980, Wilson Lodge was remodeled. "Nearly half of the renovation was funded by the sale of 200 acres of land to the U.S. Forest Service for the preservation of the Salmon River Estuary."

Often referred to as a "nursery", the estuary is important to area marine life because it provides a place for spawning, feeding, nesting and rearing their young. The estuary is also a popular resting stop for migratory birds due to the abundance of food at low tide and because it is free from area development. In addition to the common mallards, thrush, blue heron, crane, egrets, swans, wood ducks, bitterns, sandpipers and marsh hawks, the following uncommon waterfowl, shore birds and other estuary birds have been identified: lesser scaup, bufflehead duck, ring necked duck, horned grebe, brown pelican and snowy plover. Eagles have also been seen nesting and soaring the skies at Westwind.

Numerous mammals utilize this coastal area. A California sea lion colony makes seasonal use of the water at Hart Cover located in the Cliff Creek ravine, just north of the Camp. The most numerous game animals in the area are black tail deer, whose estimated population is 22 deer per square mile. Black bear, mink, otter, beavers, raccoons, and cougar can also be found roaming the forests, woods and riverway around Westwind.

One can't help but notice the large Sitka Spruce, Douglas Fir and Alder trees in Westwinds forests. In the cool dark shaded areas underneath the trees, thick undergrowth of sword, bracken, maidenhair, lady, deer and licorish ferns flourish. This is an excellent place to study nutrient cycles, the structure of plants and trees, decomposition, energy pyramids, water cycles and air cycles.

Lost Lake, originally named Coon Lake, is fed from an underground spring and is an excellent place to find insect larvae, newts and frogs. Lost Lake is located on the south end of the camp property. The egress for the lake was, in geologic time, the cove itself. At one time it traveled to the Salmon River from a valley joined by the estuary. Lost Lake received its name years ago when poachers trapped out the beaver whose gigantic dam held back the lake water. The dam eventually deteriorated and water and silt rushed down the old valley. Evidence of this catastrophe can still be seen at the turnaround. Lost Lake was Westwind's only source of water for over fifty years. In 1981 Westwinds water system was upgraded when the addition of a water tower was installed towards the south side of the camp.

Because Oregon's coastal meadowlands are naturally clear, and offer perfect views of the Ocean, increased construction of houses and hotels have replaced the natural meadowlands, and few remain in existence. But at Westwind, the pristine meadowland is home to wild flowers, tall grasses, small birds, insects, rodents, snakes and other animals. Deer, elk, coyote and birds of prey, such as hawks and eagles, thrive on this land.

At the end of the meadow trail beautiful views overlook Agate Cove and the Pacific Ocean. Gray whales migrating in the spring to Alaska can be viewed from this overlook because they will tend to travel slower and closer to the shore in order to protect their young from preying sharks of the deeper ocean.

On the trail south towards the coves and high meadow, just past the point where the Pioneer trail joins from the left, is a small valley where the vegetation appears much younger than its surroundings. During a late winter storm around 1976, a "water cyclone" climbed up the hillside from Pirate's Cove and flattened a swath of several acres. For a decade after this storm the area was referred to as the "blowdown."

Portland's YWCA archives note Westwind was originally purchased to create camping experiences for girls ages 8-25, with chief emphasis on high schoolers. The camp, open to any girl wishing to attend, provides campers with diverse outdoor experiences and activities. (This was modified in 1976 to include coed camping.)

"The YWCA purchased the property to bar commercial developing encroachment, provide a supplemental access to the river crossing and for the development of a year-round conference facility." According to Westwind Camp Director Mariam Callahan, "Westwind is known as the best outdoor school site for environmental diversity because of its five ecosystems."

We must remember, as living organisms on this Earth, that our direction must be geared with everyone working together to share the same resources. In our communities we can do our part to help and protect the well being of "others" around us…not just humans but nature as well. By maintaining our own niche in the ecosystem, other organisms dependent upon us doing our job, will survive and those dependents upon them can to do the same. By doing our part we can allow future generations a first hand opportunity to witness the real beauty of Camp Westwinds natural surroundings.

The Board of Directors of the Portland YWCA have always put a considerable amount of time, energy and money to ensure an ‘outdoor’ facility was available to it’s members. When the YWCA acquired the land that Camp Westwind now resides on, the natural beauty was apparent but as the public awareness toward the environment increased, the ecological diversity of Westwind became an integral part of the camp's curriculum.

The push by Senator Bob Packwood in 1973 to federally list Cascade Head as a Scenic Research Area, and the 1974 congressional approval, secured the future of Camp Westwinds’ five ecosystems. The dual goal of keeping these ecosystems intact while using them to educate campers, counselors and visitors makes Camp Westwind much more than just a summer camp; it’s role in preserving one of Oregon’s richest ecological areas benefits us all. To understand the delicate balance of Camp Westwinds unique environment and understanding of each individual ecosystem is essential.

                                      Environmental Education

This is an example of concepts historically taught at Westwind as part of an environmental education program. The following information is taken both from my experience teaching environmental education at Westwind through the Washington County Education Service District and from consultation with Rebecca Lavin who is currently the director of the Outdoor School program at Westwind.

Welcome to Westwind. You have just entered a new world filled with forests, meadowlands, lakes, beaches, an estuary, and millions of small creatures that call Westwind home. These things living together and sharing the same resources create a community. While you are a t Westwind you will take part in this community and play a role that has an impact on the ecosystems around you. This type of role is called a niche. Every animal has a specific niche with-in its community. A healthy ecosystem is supported by many different animals all filling their own niches in order to support each other. Each animal with-in the community has spaces where they sleep, eat, drink and move around. This space is called their habitat. Westwind's ecosystems are especially biodiverse because life is supported in its many different layers from the bottom of the sand to the tops of the trees.

Every day at Westwind you can see four tides. There will be two high tides where the beach will look very small and two low tides where the beach will appear ver large. During the low tides you can explore the tide pools and look for signs of marine life. Hermit crabs, scuplin fish, mussel shells and barnacles are usual visitors to the tide pools. If you look around you will probably see a sea star. Some people call them starfish but they are not fish.

Unlike a human, the sea star does not have a backbone. Because of this it is called an invertebrate. The sea stars are the strongest animals in the tide pools. They have the ability to pry open mussel shells, move their stomachs inside the shells and eat the mussel. The sea anemones can also be found in the tide pools. If you stick your finger inside of them they will think you are food and close their tentacles around your finger. They catch their food in the same way when they are completely covered up by the high tide.

You can find mole crabs in the sand, close to the waves, all the way down the beach. Their skeletons are on the outside of their bodies. This is called an exoskeleton. They can be hard to find because they are the same color as the sand. The mole crabs have a special way of changing to fit their environment over a long period of time. Each crab starts its life as a male and eventually evolves into a female. Once this happens the female then mates with a younger male and then dies shortly after laying it's eggs. This process is called an adaptation. All animals have their own adaptations, including humans.

Would you believe me if I told you that a plot of land 12 feet by 12 feet in the estuary is more biodiverse than a tropical rain forest? The reason for this is that the estuary is made up of many different ecological levels from the bottom of the sand to the tops of the trees. This is the place at Westwind where the fresh water and the salt water come together. It is sometimes compared to a nursery because many types of fish use it as a breeding ground and a place to take care of their young.

In the mud flats there are u-shaped holes that lead to clams and shrimp. The mud flats act like a sponge sucking in water and then releasing it when they are stepped on. In the mud flats of the estuary you can find ghost shrimp and clams. These animals live in still, mucky water called brackish water. Further up the estuary salmon can be found as they are laying their eggs. This is called spawning. In the wetlands of the estuary you can find many different types of plants growing in the wild. This is the place to find small animals like beavers, raccoons, and larger animals like cougars and sometimes black bears.

When you visit the forest ecosystems at Westwind you will see many different types of trees, ferns and flowers. Douglas fir, Sitka spruce, and red alder trees are the most common trees in this area. Green plants like bleeding heart and rhododendrons take energy from the sun, carbon dioxide from the air, water and nutrients from the soil and chlorophyll from their leaves to produce the oxygen that we breath. This process is called photosynthesis.

Many animals make their home in the forest ecosystem. You can divide animals into three types by knowing what they eat. Some animals eat only plants and are called herbivores. These animals are at the lowest end of the food chain because they are most easily preyed on by other animals. Omnivores are animals, like humans, that eat both plants and meat. Because omnivores eat other animals, they are considered predators. Carnivores are the animals that eat only meat. They are at the top of the food chain because they have to eat other animals in order to survive. This process creates competition between the animals in the forest ecosystem.

Lost Lake is a part of the forest ecosystem. This is the place where you will have the chance to go critter catching. Notice the amount of critters and other signs of life you see in the water. The more animal, insect and plant life there is, the healthier the water will be. Some of the species you might see are mayflies, newts, and salamanders. Be on the lookout for frogs hiding under lily pads.

When you get to the top of high meadow you will see a fantastic view of Agate Cove and the Pacific Ocean. Very few meadowlands exist on the Oregon Coast because of the construction of houses and hotels. High meadow at Westwind is owned and protected by the forest service. This means they can keep companies from building on the land. Bring binoculars because there is a very good chance you will see Grey Whales spouting in the distance. This is a great spot to stop, have a picnic and to reflect upon your experience at Camp Westwind.

As you travel to each of these ecosystems at Westwind remember that you are part of the communities that exist there. You have your own role to play to make these communities successful. You can think of yourself as a land steward who's job it is to preserve the natural world around you. As you leave Westwind remember to take these ideas back with you into your own community and to share them with other people around you. Only then can more places like Camp Westwind survive giving more people the chance to experience the natural World.

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