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Friends of Haystack Rock
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This month's Creature Feature
Cellophane Tubeworm
Spiochaetopterus costarum
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Photo Courtesy of Tiffany Boothe, Seaside Aquarium
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People exploring Oregon's beaches this winter were privy to an interesting phenomenon: the ocean's drift lines were littered with millions of small, hairlike 'fibers'. These fibers washed in by the thousands, for months. Were they tsunami debris? Remnants of old fishing ropes?
Nope. In fact, the answer is way cooler than that.
The culprit behind all the fibers is actually a marine worm, referred to as the Cellophane Tubeworm. It's a small worm that lives just past the lowtide line on sandy beaches. Cellophane Tubeworms burrow down into the sand and for protection, they secrete mucus, which forms into a soft 'tube' that surrounds them. By positioning themselves in the sand vertically, the worms can feed while remaining enclosed and protected within their tubes.
To eat, the tubeworm reaches out from its tube with two tentacles, and then probes the nearby sand for particles of organic matter. If it's lucky enough to remain undisturbed, a Cellophane Tubeworm may stay in one spot for its entire life... but Oregon's beach dynamics make that unlikely.
So, what exactly happened this winter? Well, over the past few years, the weather on the Oregon Coast was relatively mild. This allowed sand to build up on the beaches, which provided more habitat for the Cellophane Tubeworms. But our most recent winter changed the pattern, and the Coast was rattled with strong storms and large, heavy surf. Heavy winter surf strips sand from the beach rather than depositing it; and when the surf gets really big, especially during low tide, sand gets lifted up and moved about. This wave action dislodges the Cellophane Tubeworm from its protected burrow. The worms quickly dig back into the sand, but their tubes remain behind, and are carried by the waves onto shore.
Cool, huh? Now you know!
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Photo Courtesy of Tiffany Boothe, Seaside Aquarium
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Photo Courtesy of Tiffany Boothe, Seaside Aquarium
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From L to R Donna Greenwood and Stacy Benefield |
Meet this month's
Rock Star!
Donna Greenwood grew up in Newport Beach, California, where she developed a passion for learning about and preserving the creatures of the sea and the intertidal. She attended the University of California, Santa Barbara, earning a BA in Art & Child Development. Years later after raising 2 children, she received her MS degree and credential in Pupil Personnel Services/School Counseling becoming an educator and high school counselor. Volunteerism was always a part of her life while she trained and guided youth to give back to their community.
Upon retirement, Donna and her husband moved to Seaside Oregon where she began volunteering in Cannon Beach for the Haystack Rock Awareness Program. Subsequently, she took a position on the Board of the Friends of Haystack Rock in 2008. She currently serves as Secretary which includes the very important task of taking minutes at each board meeting.
Donna was instrumental in organizing Friends of Haystack Rock Library Lecture Series, as well as spending endless hours on fundraising. She has also been a volunteer with
the Haystack Rock Awareness Program (HRAP) since 2007, volunteering over 1670 hours! In 2012, Donna was recognized at HRAP's "Volunteer of the Year".
Donna will be leaving the Friends of Haystack Rock board in June after serving not only as a board member but also spending countless hours on the beach and behind the scenes with the Haystack Rock Awareness Program.
Please join us in wishing Donna all the best wherever her journey takes her in the future!
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Only in Cannon Beach, can you find
The 12 Days of Earth Day Celebration
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Exciting events this year include a bird/nature walk in the Reserve, beach clean-ups, interesting lectures and the potluck and parade!
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Don't miss the LAST FREE Community Lecture:
"It's Not Just a Beach:Rethinking the Beaches"
Neal Maine, Biologist, Educator, Wildlife Photographer
Location Change: Cannon Beach Chamber of Commerce Community Hall
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
7:00pm-8:30pm
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Congratulations Cannon Beach Yoga Festival for Another Successful Year!
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Jai Ho! Bollywood Dance Party
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Friends of Haystack Rock is a non-profit organization that provides guidance and financial support for the Haystack Rock Awareness Program (HRAP) in cooperation with the City of Cannon Beach promoting the preservation and protection of the intertidal life and birds that inhabit the Marine Garden and the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge at Haystack Rock.
Friends of Haystack Rock is guided by a volunteer board of directors and advisors consisting of committed community members.
Friends of Haystack Rock
PO Box 1222
Cannon Beach, OR 97110
Friendsofhaystackrock.org
Board Members: Stacy Benefield, Tracy Abel, Donna Greenwood, Susan Boac,
Tiffany Boothe, Keith Chandler, Lori Fraser, and Claudine Rhen
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