Clatsop Community College (CCC) is actively involved in a wetland restoration project at South Tongue Point, an ecological site owned by the college. On Thursday morning, Feb. 13th, students from CCC’s biology class and Astoria High School’s fisheries technology class came together for a hands-on planting event lead by the Columbia River Estuary Study Taskforce (CREST) to enhance the restoration of this vital habitat along the Columbia River. While digging holes for salmonberry starts, students not only improved the vegetation on a recently restored wetland site, they also grew their knowledge of native plants and helped grow community partnerships.
The South Tongue Point land, located across the way from CCC’s MERTS campus, is an 82-acre site that has been transformed through a comprehensive restoration project led by CREST. Over the past year, CREST has worked to restore over 20 acres of land by excavating dredge material, creating new pockets of salmon habitat, and restoring native plant life. The project’s focus is to revitalize critical habitats that have been degraded over the past century by human activity, including dredging, farming, and infrastructure development.
This restoration project will improve the habitat for salmon and other species, while engaging our students directly in real-world environmental science.
Dozens of students participated in the planting of over 100 native plants, including species like red osier dogwood, salmonberry, and sword fern. This event marked a pivotal moment in the ongoing restoration of the site, as the students worked to establish healthy forest growth of plants and keep invasive species at bay.
The partnership between CCC, CREST, and Astoria High School continues to grow, providing invaluable learning opportunities for students. CCC Biology Instructor Julia Mabry envisions the South Tongue Point site as a living outdoor classroom for years to come. In addition to planting events, students will be involved in vegetation monitoring and further ecological studies as part of an ongoing collaboration with the North Coast Watershed Association (NCWA) and other local organizations.
“The long-term goal is to make South Tongue Point a model for conservation and education,” said Mabry. “I would love to see this expand into an environmental science program at the college, allowing students to explore the scientific and ecological complexities of the Columbia River Estuary in depth, but in the meantime, this site is a prime opportunity to put classroom learning into real world application.”
South Tongue Point provides essential habitat for a variety of species, including threatened salmonids and shorebirds. The restoration efforts are supported by multiple local, state, and federal partners, and the site is protected under a conservation easement with the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board.
Clatsop Community College’s continued involvement in this restoration project underscores its commitment to environmental stewardship, community engagement, and the development of future environmental scientists. As the restoration project progresses, the college will continue to use the site as a hub for research, education, and community involvement.
