Written By
Every year in Bandon, Oregon, the community holds a parade that celebrates America鈥檚 independence and all the community they hold dear. For a group of Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge volunteers, participating in this parade has been the highlight of 2025. The refuge protects rocky nearshore islands and wind-swept headlands, spanning the entirety of the state鈥檚 coastline. Hundreds of thousands of people visit each year, contributing to the local economy and making memories that last a lifetime. These local volunteers are an essential part of making sure future generations benefit from these coastal public lands and waters.
This year, the Oregon Islands NWR volunteer float reflected the marine environment they help to protect. Becky Kersey, Gary Meineke, Ed and Kathleen Nordquist, and Julie Schwarze helped build the float and walk in the parade. Surrounded by handmade ocean waves, volunteers were dressed as marine wildlife visitors often ask about such as sea starsand octopus. The float was pulled by the Wild Van, an important outreach vehicle for visitors featuring favorite coastal creatures such as salmon and tufted puffins.
During low tides each day throughout the summer, refuge volunteers drive the van to Coquille Point to provide roving interpretation in the Coquille Point Marine Garden. They point out cool creatures such as the opalescent nudibranch found in rocky tidepools, nesting black oystercatchers, and groups of different colored sea stars to visitors from all over America and the world.
Approximately 2,000 visitors each month speak with volunteers 鈥� each moment is a chance for people to ask a question, learn more about their public lands, and even inspire the next generation of Americans! For the volunteers, answering the excited questions of visitors and making sure they have a visit they never forget is rewarding. Giving back to their community, these volunteers make all the difference for the refuge each day.
The scenic Oregon Islands NWR was established as a refuge and breeding ground for seabirds and marine mammals. Most of Oregon鈥檚 estimated 1.2 million nesting seabirds depend on the protected refuge as a place to raise their young, and Oregon鈥檚 seals and sea lions use the islands as a place to haul out and rest or to give birth to their pups. Lucky visitors can watch puffy seabird chicks learn to fly and occasionally witness a spotted harbor seal pup waiting for their mother on the beach. No matter what time of year, the wildlife are abundant, and the scenery is flawless. So don鈥檛 wait for the next parade, plan your trip today to experience Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge today!
