Seven miles inland from the Pacific Ocean, this island on
Oregon's central coast is an excellent example of an estuarine
saltmarsh ecosystem. Low elevation leads to daily floods at high
tide. At low tide, the island is dissected by a maze of tidal
channels, adjoined by expanses of mudflats. East of Florence in
the Siuslaw River Volunteers help control the only known Oregon
population of saltmeadow cordgrass (Spartina patens), an
invasive, introduced species that threatens native wetland
vegetation. Researchers believe it arrived decades ago in
packing material for clams, and Conservancy ecologists and
volunteers are testing methods of controlling the species to
prevent it from spreading to other coastal marshlands. The
preserve supports several important habitats including eel grass
(Zostera marina) beds in the lower estuary and Henderson’s
checkermallow (Sidalcea hendersonii). Abundant with softshell
clams and shrimp, the nutrient-teeming mudflats provide feeding
grounds for great blue herons from nearby roo