MANZANITA – On Thursday, March 14, the Lower Nehalem Watershed Council Speaker Series will feature Katie Voelke, the North Coast Land Conservancy executive director, for a discussion titled “Conservation Land and Public Access.”

The free event will be held at the Pine Grove Community House, 225 Laneda Ave. The program begins at 7 p.m. with a brief update from the Lower Nehalem Watershed Council. Voelke’s discussion will follow at 7:15 p.m.

The Land Conservancy is working on its biggest project ever: the conservation of 3,500 acres of forestland above Oswald West State Park to benefit people, plants and wildlife. In this context, what is the right amount of public access for this property, if any?

Join an open-ended discussion about how to balance the needs of people, plants and wildlife in conserved lands on the Oregon Coast.

This event is part of the Lower Nehalem Watershed Council’s regular Speaker Series. We raffle off a gift certificate or special item from a local business supporter during each event.