Start your time off in Newport right by joining Marine Discovery Tours on an amazing and scenic 2-hour Bay and River Tour. Don and Fran Mathews have partnered with us to offer this amazing experience at a fantastically discounted conference rate.

 

Marine Discovery Tours is a family owned and operated business that showcases the Oregon Coast with the seasoned captains having experience from the Bering Sea to San Francisco Harbor. Joined by a team of friendly naturalist guides, they provide fun and exciting cruises that focus on Oregon wildlife aboard the deluxe 65-foot DISCOVERY. Inside and outside seating

ensure comfort no matter what the weather. Visit marinediscovery.com for more information.

 

Shuttles depart from the Shilo Inn Convention Center at 5:30 pm to drive folks to Anchor Pier located in the Historic Bayfront District at 345 SW Bay Boulevard. There are parking lots within 1-2 blocks from the dock as well as limited curbside parking. Shuttles will be available to return you to the Shilo Inn Convention Center. 

 

Join Dawn Grafe, Supervisory Park Ranger for the Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex, on a birding walk at Beaver Creek State Natural Area located eight miles south of Newport. The area has a large freshwater marsh surrounded by hills featuring a mix of deciduous and coniferous forest.  According to Jamie Little, State Parks Interpretive Coordinator, “It’s a naturalist’s dream park… its variety of habitat especially makes it a great area for birding.”

 

Shuttles depart from the Shilo Inn Convention Center Lobby at 7:30 am or meet the group at the Beaver Creek Welcome Center at 8:00 am if you drive. The park’s Welcome Center is located two miles inland via Beaver Creek Road from Highway 101 and the Ona Beach State Park boat ramp. For more information visit oregonstateparks.org/park_261.php. Dawn will bring binoculars for all participants and you are welcome to bring your own. Please bring plenty of water. Shuttles will be available to return you to the Shilo Inn Convention Center.

 

* Weather dependent. A go / no-go decision will be made by Wednesday afternoon. All registered participants will be notified if an activity is cancelled.

 

Spend the morning on a scenic bike ride guided by Elliot and Daniella Crowder, owners of Bike Newport, who will lead participants on an easy nine mile ride through the sand dunes to the South Beach Jetty. This route is mostly flat so even inexperienced riders will have a great tour. Starting at South Beach State Park, the route takes you past some of Newport’s finest attractions, including the Hatfield Marine Science Center, the Oregon Coast Aquarium, the Rogue Brewery, the newly built boardwalk along the Yaquina River, under Yaquina Bay Bridge—one of the most recognizable of the Highway 101 bridges designed by Conde McCullough—and out to Idaho Point Marina. Visit bikenewport.net for more information.

 

Shuttles depart from the Shilo Inn Convention Center at 9:00 am or meet at the South Beach State Park Day Use Area Parking lot by 9:30 am if you drive. The ride will take approximately two hours. Please dress appropriately for the activity and bring plenty of water. Shuttles will be available to return you to the Shilo Inn Convention Center.

 

* Weather dependent. A go / no-go decision will be made by Wednesday afternoon. All registered participants will be notified if an activity is cancelled.