FEB. 17, 2022 – The Lincoln City Cultural Center has released the final roster of speakers and nonprofit partners confirmed for its Feb. 26 plastics pollution event, “Swimming Upstream.” If you’re concerned about plastics pollution, especially in the ocean and on our beaches, you’re invited to attend this free educational event, open from 2-5 pm under the Washed Ashore Sea Jelly Bloom at the Cultural Center, 540 NE Hwy. 101 in Lincoln City.  

This drop-in, all-ages forum will offer practical information from nonprofit groups who are already working on this issue, like Surfrider International (Rise Above Plastics), the Lincoln City Sustainability Committee, SOLVE, Oregon Coast Aquarium, Oregon State Parks and the Oregon Coast Visitors Association. Washed Ashore, the nonprofit arts and environment nonprofit based in Bandon, will bring a hands-on art project using plastic marine debris. Participants will make plastic “kebabs” that will make their way into the next Washed Ashore sculpture, a Tiger Rockfish. 

Attendees can nosh a variety of donated snacks, including fruit from Trillium Natural Foods, taffy from Ainslee’s Candy Shop, snacks from Oceana Natural Foods Co-op and coffee from The Green Salmon in Yachats. Also provided will be fresh Crow Hop bagels and freshly made schmears, along with water and tea. 

Members of the public are encouraged to drop in, for any amount of time, to consider the petitions, brochures and other ways to advocate. In accordance with LCCC board policy, all those ages 12 and older will be required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination (two shots) or a negative clinic test taken within 72 hours of the event.  

There will be three speakers featured every hour, with some allowances made for legislators who may be called to Salem. Here’s the schedule: 

2 pm-3 pm 
Brad Parks, Conservation Education Director, Washed Ashore 

Grace Doleshel, Youth Programs Coordinator, Oregon Coast Aquarium 

Arica Sears, Deputy Director of Oregon Coast Visitors Association 

3 pm-4 pm 

State Rep. Dave Gomberg (D-District 10) 

Susanne Brander, Ph.D, Assistant Professor, OSU Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Sciences Dept. 

State Sen. Dick Anderson (R-District 5)  

4pm-5pm  

Ryan Parker, Beach and Trail Ranger, Oregon State Parks 

Jaclyn Sisto-Lopez, Community Engagement Manager, SOLVE 

Michael Edwards, Freelance Writer  

While you’re at the center, don’t miss the exhibit of Washed Ashore artwork, arranged both inside and outside the Cultural Center grounds. Bring the family to meet Priscilla the Parrot Fish, Flash the Blue Marlin and Gertrude the Penguin and Chompers the Shark, along with Giacometti the River Otter and the sea jelly bloom, and a variety of informational panels. Among the favorite indoor displays is the wall of floats, ropes, plastic items and debris, all of which was collected by a single Lincoln City resident during a single month in 2021. 

Admission to the exhibit and events is free, thanks to funding by the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation, Oregon Coast Visitors Association, The Ford Family Foundation, The Roundhouse Foundation, the Oneatta Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation, Explore Lincoln City and North Lincoln Sanitary Service. The LCCC also received installation support from Knottworks Construction and the Inn at Spanish Head. The Cascade Head Biosphere Reserve Collaborative, SOLVE and Siletz Tribes Charitable Contribution Fund have joined the community of local sponsors making the Washed Ashore experience a reality for the central coast. 

The work is combined with scientifically based educational signage to teach children and adults about ocean stewardship, responsible consumer habits and how “every action counts” to help save the sea. The outdoor exhibit is open from dawn to dusk daily, while the indoor portion is open from 10 am to 4 pm Thursday-Monday, and by appointment. The Washed A-Store, which sells T-shirts, sweatshirts, water bottles, re-usable silverware and posters, is open along with the indoor exhibit. Proceeds from the sale of these environmentally-friendly souvenirs is split between the Cultural Center and Washed Ashore.