Sitka Sedge

Sitka Sedge State Natural Area is a 357-acre coastal estuary and wetland complex located at the south end of the Sand Lake estuary in Tillamook County on Oregon's north coast, north of Tierra Del Mar. Officially opened to the public in June 2018, the park represents a significant conservation achievement, protecting tidal marsh, mudflats, dunes, forested wetlands, and uplands that had been diked and farmed for most of the 20th century and proposed for golf course development for over a decade. Named for the Sitka sedge (Carex aquatilis var. dives), a plant native to the site, the park was acquired in 2014 by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department for $1.8 million using Oregon Lottery funds and a National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant. The park preserves important habitat at the interface of freshwater and saltwater ecosystems, supporting diverse wildlife and plant communities while providing public access to scenic trails offering views from Haystack Rock to Cape Lookout. The site is culturally significant as part of the traditional territory of the Nestucca group of Tillamook Indians.

Sitka Sedge State Natural Area is recognized as one of the best birding locations on the Oregon coast, with wetlands, tidal mudflats, forest, and coastline providing diverse habitats attracting numerous bird species. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has designated portions of the park as critical habitat for the threatened western snowy plover, a small shorebird that nests on open sandy areas. Adjacent areas provide critical habitat for marbled murrelets and northern spotted owls. The estuary supports abundant waterfowl including various duck species, great blue herons, and great egrets that feed on fish and invertebrates. Shorebirds concentrate during migrations, with species including dunlins, western sandpipers, yellowlegs, and dowitchers feeding on invertebrate-rich mudflats. Raptors including northern harriers, peregrine falcons, and bald eagles hunt over the marshes and beaches. Mammals such as river otters, raccoons, and black-tailed deer utilize the diverse habitats, while Roosevelt elk occasionally visit from nearby forested areas. The estuary supports diverse fish populations including salmon, steelhead, and resident species, along with abundant invertebrate communities in mudflats and salt marshes.

The vegetation at Sitka Sedge State Natural Area reflects the dynamic gradient from upland forest through freshwater wetlands to salt marsh and tidal mudflats, creating a mosaic of plant communities. The namesake Sitka sedge (Carex aquatilis var. dives) is a characteristic species of the freshwater wetlands and marsh edges. Salt marshes support specialized halophytic plants including pickleweed, salt grass, and Lyngby's sedge adapted to regular tidal inundation and salt exposure. Freshwater marshes feature cattails, bulrushes, and other emergent vegetation creating dense stands important for wildlife. The forested wetlands include Sitka spruce, shore pine, and red alder, with understory vegetation including salal, salmonberry, and various ferns. Dune areas support beach grass, sand verbena, and other species adapted to unstable sandy substrates. The restoration of diked and farmed lands has allowed native plant communities to reestablish, though invasive species including reed canarygrass and Himalayan blackberry require ongoing management. The diverse plant communities provide habitat, food, and cover for the area's abundant wildlife.

Sitka Sedge State Natural Area occupies a dynamic coastal environment where the Sand Lake estuary meets the Pacific Ocean, shaped by tidal action, river input, and coastal processes. The area's sediments derive from materials transported by streams draining the Coast Range, deposited in the estuary where freshwater meets saltwater and reduced current velocities allow sediment settling. Tidal action redistributes these sediments, creating mudflats exposed at low tide and submerged during high tide. The surrounding dune areas consist of sand transported from beaches by wind, creating dune ridges and deflation plains. The estuary represents a drowned river valley, formed as sea levels rose following the last ice age, flooding the lower portions of coastal river systems and creating the estuarine environments visible today. The area's location along an active tectonic margin means ongoing geological processes including gradual coastal uplift, occasional earthquakes, and tsunami risk from Cascadia Subduction Zone events. Historical dikes modified the natural hydrology, separating tidal marshes from upland areas, and their removal as part of restoration efforts has allowed natural tidal processes to resume.

Sitka Sedge State Natural Area experiences the cool, maritime climate characteristic of Oregon's north coast, with mild temperatures year-round and abundant precipitation during winter months. Average temperatures range from 45-50°F in winter to 60-65°F in summer, moderated by the Pacific Ocean's thermal influence. The area receives approximately 75-85 inches of annual precipitation, with the vast majority falling between October and May. Summer brings frequent morning fog and low clouds when warm inland air meets cold ocean waters, often burning off by afternoon. Strong winds, particularly from the northwest and southwest, are common throughout the year, with winter storms bringing especially powerful winds and heavy rainfall. The estuary and wetlands respond to both tidal cycles and seasonal stream flow variations, with highest water levels during winter when rainfall is abundant and storm surges can temporarily raise estuary levels. The relatively mild climate allows year-round bird watching and trail use, though winter conditions bring mud and standing water on trails.

Sitka Sedge State Natural Area lies within the traditional territory of the Nestucca group of Tillamook Indians, who utilized the estuary's abundant resources including fish, shellfish, waterfowl, and plant materials for thousands of years. The area was included within the Siletz Reservation boundaries from 1855-1875 before those boundaries were drastically reduced. The Nestucca Tillamooks are now part of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, while the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde also claim cultural affiliation to the area. European American settlement brought dramatic changes, with estuarine wetlands diked and drained for agriculture beginning in the late 1800s. The Beltz property, which became the core of the state natural area, was farmed for most of the 20th century. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the property was proposed for golf course development, spurring local conservation efforts. Tierra Del Mar residents organized beginning in 1989 to preserve the site, ultimately leading to its acquisition by Ecotrust and subsequent sale to Oregon State Parks in 2014 for permanent protection and public access.

Sitka Sedge State Natural Area's establishment represents a modern conservation success story involving community activism, non-profit partnerships, and public funding. Beginning in 1989, residents of Tierra Del Mar and other concerned citizens worked to prevent golf course development and preserve the ecologically significant estuary. Ecotrust, a conservation non-profit organization, acquired the Beltz property and began restoration efforts including removing agricultural dikes to restore tidal flow to formerly diked marshlands. In 2014, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department purchased the 365-acre property from Ecotrust for $1.8 million, using Oregon Lottery funds dedicated to state park acquisitions and a National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Following acquisition, the department developed minimal facilities including a small parking area, restrooms, and approximately 4.5 miles of trails across the diverse habitats. The park officially opened to the public in June 2018, providing access to one of the Oregon coast's premier birding locations while protecting critical habitat for threatened and endangered species. The park exemplifies collaborative conservation involving local communities, non-profit organizations, and government agencies.

Sitka Sedge State Natural Area offers approximately 4.5 miles of trails across nearly 400 acres of freshwater and saltwater marshes, forested uplands, and coastal areas, providing diverse birding and wildlife viewing opportunities. The main loop trail covers 3.4 miles and is generally considered easy, taking an average of 1 hour and 4 minutes to complete. The trails provide spectacular views across tidal flats, saltwater marshes, and forested wetlands, with vistas extending from Haystack Rock to the south to Cape Lookout to the north on clear days. Bird watching is the primary attraction, with the diverse habitats supporting an impressive variety of species throughout the year, including waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors, and forest birds. The best birding occurs during spring and fall migrations when numerous species utilize the estuary for feeding and resting. The trails allow observation of estuary ecology, tidal processes, and the restoration of formerly diked agricultural land to functioning wetlands. Nature photography opportunities are excellent, particularly for bird photography and landscape images of the estuary and coast. The trails are designed for minimal environmental impact, with boardwalks and elevated sections protecting sensitive wetland areas while allowing visitor access.

Sitka Sedge State Natural Area is minimally developed, consistent with its natural area designation emphasizing resource protection. Facilities include a small gravel parking area accommodating up to 26 vehicles including 2 ADA-accessible spaces, and restroom facilities. The park is free to access with no day-use fees or permits required. Leashed dogs are welcome on trails. No camping is allowed, and the park is managed as a low-impact day-use area. The park is located north of Tierra Del Mar and south of Pacific City along the Tillamook County coast, accessible via roads from Highway 101. The nearest communities providing visitor services are Pacific City to the north and Tierra Del Mar to the south, with Tillamook further north offering more extensive accommodations, restaurants, and supplies. The trails can be muddy during wet weather, and visitors should wear appropriate footwear and bring rain gear. Tide tables are useful for planning visits, as low tides expose mudflats and concentrate shorebirds in observable areas. The park is accessible year-round, with different seasons offering varied birding and wildlife viewing opportunities.

Sitka Sedge State Natural Area is managed primarily for habitat conservation and restoration, with recreational use designed to be compatible with ecological objectives. The park's designation as critical habitat for western snowy plovers requires seasonal closures and visitor management to protect nesting areas from disturbance. Habitat restoration efforts have included removing agricultural dikes to restore tidal flow, allowing natural estuary processes to resume and native plant communities to reestablish. Invasive species management targets reed canarygrass, Himalayan blackberry, and other non-native plants that threaten native wetland vegetation. Water quality monitoring tracks estuarine conditions and helps assess restoration success. The park contributes to broader regional conservation efforts protecting estuarine habitats that have been drastically reduced through historical development and agriculture. Climate change presents challenges including sea level rise potentially altering marsh zonation and distribution, increased storm intensity affecting coastal processes, and ocean acidification impacting estuarine food webs. The park participates in monitoring programs tracking bird populations, vegetation changes, and estuarine ecological conditions. Educational efforts emphasize the importance of estuaries as critical transitional ecosystems supporting both marine and terrestrial biodiversity, demonstrating successful habitat restoration, and providing opportunities for people to connect with coastal natural areas.