Toast to COASST Champions

Not long ago, Dr. Julia Parrish, COASST Executive Director, received a major national honor on behalf of the staff and hundreds of volunteers that dedicate so much time and effort to the program. Julia was one of twelve Champions of Change recognized by President Obama and the White House for their work to advance citizen science. It is a well-deserved and long overdue accolade. In accepting the award, Julia quickly turned the spotlight towards the folks that make COASST happen, the cogs in the wheel dispersed throughout the West Coast of the United States. And she has good reason to do so. Each of the many COASSTers I’ve met over the past several weeks are all notable champions, local citizens engaged and involved in their communities to advance positive change. Every one of them. Take south Oregon COASSTer Jim (Hubbard Creek) whom I met today. Decades ago, as Jim discovered some less than ethical practices conducted by a major national agency with regard to the habitat management of the federally threatened Marbled Murrelet, he stood up and took action. His quick, dedicated, and thorough efforts to address the problem he uncovered has led to significant habitat protection and enhancement for this vulnerable species. He has become such an expert on the species that he stays quite busy consulting for numerous organizations. But that doesn’t stop him from completing his monthly COASST surveys, although he has yet to find a Marbled Murrelet on his beach. It is all part of his sense of responsibility to serve his community and the landscape and ecosystems that support it. Like Julia, Jim speaks of his efforts with humility. But I assure you he is nothing short of a certified champion, the kind of person that leaves someone like me filled with hope and awe.