South Slough Marks Milestone
The nation's first National Estuarine Research Reserve turns 40.
The Slough Lane
Kayakers enjoy an outing near Dalton Marsh in Oregon's South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve.
This summer South Slough, Oregon celebrates its 40th anniversary as a National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR), the first in the nation! South Slough (pronounced "slew") pioneered what is now 28 reserves, located in 22 coastal states and Puerto Rico, providing scientific information, educational, and recreational opportunities for all. South Slough Estuary is a 5,000-acre natural area nestled on Oregon's southwestern coast. Part of the larger Coos Bay estuary, South Slough is a mix of tidal and freshwater habitat including marshes, mudflats, streams, and forests.
Open all year, visitors can enjoy hiking, canoeing, kayaking, birding, and the Reserve's quiet beauty, learning about the many forms of wildlife that exist where the river meets the sea. This summer, a variety of events are planned to tell the story of Sough Slough, including the 28th annual Oregon Shorebird Festival.
The Reserve is co-managed by NOS and the Oregon Department of State Lands.
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Did you know?
The National Estuarine Research Reserve System is a network of 28 estuarine areas — places where freshwater from the land mixes with saltwater from the sea — established across the nation for long-term research, education, and coastal stewardship. Learn more
