Morning field experiences are included with Full Conference and Single Day registrations, however, some trips may incur additional cost. 

Friday, July 25

Kayaking at Beaver Creek (+$30)

7:00 – 11:00 am

Join Denise Harrington for a leisurely kayak trip in the wetlands of Beaver Creek. The conference van will leave from HMSC at 7:00 am (or paddlers can meet at Ona Beach State Park at 7:30 am) and return to HMSC at 11:00 am (in time to get to OCCC for lunch at noon). Denise will share examples of how she uses kayaking as an educational tool. This kayak trip is good for everyone from first time kayakers to the very experienced.

Bring a water bottle, sunscreen, fleece, poly, or wool, and a waterproof layer.

Accessibility requirements: Participants must be able to carry, sit in, launch, paddle, and disembark from a kayak.

Limit 14 participants.

Clamming at Yaquina Bay

7:00 – 10:00 am

Join Bill Hanshumaker for a morning of clamming at Yaquina Bay Estuary. Equipment will be supplied by the education department of the Oregon Coast Aquarium, but we recommend participants wear rubber boots or shoes that can get dirty and dress in layers. 

Each participant will need to purchase their own clamming permit prior to the trip at a cost of $10 resident/ $28 non-resident. Please see the ODFW website to purchase your permit on-line. (Please note, in Oregon, the daily limit for bay clams, which includes cockles, is 20 in aggregate, with only 12 of those being gaper clams. This means you can take up to 20 clams of any type, including butter, littleneck, gaper, and cockle clams, but no more than 12 of those can be gaper clams.) There will be access to a vacuum sealer for your catch. 

Accessibility requirements: Participants must be able to stand and walk on soft, muddy sediments for several hours and carry a bucket and clamming shovel.

Tidepooling at Otter Rock Marine Reserve

7:00 – 10:00 am

In 2012, Otter Rock became one of the first two marine reserves implemented. Despite being the smallest marine reserve at 1.2 square miles, Otter Rock Marine Reserve has a rich diversity of marine life and provides many opportunities for scientific research, public outreach and education, and community engagement programs. High school interns are hired for the summer as interpreters. Sign up to learn more about this amazing space and program.  

Accessibility requirements: Participants must be able to navigate the trail to the marine gardens, which is steep and challenging. There is a staircase at the north end of the beach that may be more manageable for participants with mobility issues.

Estuary Investigation at Yaquina Bay Estuary

9:00 – 11:00 am

Join the Oregon Sea Grant Marine Education team for a two-hour estuary exploration experience on the Yaquina Bay Estuary, located adjacent to the Hatfield Marine Science Center. Participants will holistically explore the estuarine ecosystem as they learn how to identify different zones, plants, burrowing species, birds and more. We will use slurpers to dig for burrowing shrimp and clams, as well as spotting scopes, ID guides, and binoculars to get a closer look at the birds inhabiting this dynamic space. 

We will be outdoors on our nearby mudflat the whole time; therefore, participants should wear rubber boots or shoes that can get dirty and bring a jacket, hat, and sunscreen, as weather can change quickly on the Oregon Coast. 

Accessibility requirements: Participants must be able to stand and walk on soft, muddy sediments for part of the program.

Behind the Scenes at the Oregon Coast Aquarium

9:00 – 10:00 am

How does the Aquarium care for a swarm of stinging jellies and dozens of toothy sharks? Travel behind the scenes with us to explore the ins and outs of caring for over 15,000 animals every day. Meet at the Aquarium entrance at 9:00 am for a 1-hour tour before the aquarium opens to the public!

Accessibility requirements: None.

Limit 15 participants.

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Saturday, July 26

PNW Seaweeds at Seal Rock

7:00 – 10:00 am

Seaweeds are often overlooked and under-appreciated. The Oregon Coast is home to an abundant and diverse selection of seaweeds, in fact the PNW has more kelp species than anywhere else on earth! Look into the intricate and distinctive patterns that make up each group. Learn how seaweed is classified as well as how to identify a few local edible species. Chat about sustainable seaweed aquaculture practices.

Please wear appropriate footwear (e.g. tennis shoes, rain boots, or other hiking footwear); whatever you don’t mind getting wet, that will also keep your feet stable. For your own safety and comfort, do not wear flip flops or sandals. Do keep in mind your feet are likely to be in the water at some point, so rain boots are strongly recommended.

Accessibility requirements: Must be able to walk down the paved hill to the beach and navigate a short stretch of rocks to get to the sand.

Tidepooling at Cape Perpetua

7:00 – 10:00 am

Join the Tidepool Ambassadors of Cape Perpetua Collaborative to explore the amazing tidepools, learn about the marine bird protected area and additional information regarding our largest marine reserve and the amazing connection to the coastal forest.

Please wear appropriate footgear (e.g. tennis shoes, rain boots, or other hiking footwear).

Accessibility requirements: Participants must be able to walk over loose cobble and/or uneven basalt rock. 

Hike in Oregon’s Coastal Forest

7:00 – 10:00 am

Join us for a guided hike at Yakona Nature Preserve & Learning Center. Yakona stewards 450 acres on the Yaquina River just inland from Oregon Coast Community College. Learn about our educational programs, restoration efforts, and the history of the land going back to the Yaqo’n/Siletz people. To learn more, check out our website at yakonaoregon.org.

Accessibility requirements: Participants must be able to hike approximately three miles on well-established trails and experience elevation loss/gain of 250-300’ multiple times. Bring water, but no pets. Long sleeves and pants are recommended.

Limit 25 participants.

Kayaking at Beaver Creek (+$20)

7:00 – 10:30 am

Join Denise Harrington for a shortened kayak trip in the wetlands of Beaver Creek. The conference van will leave from HMSC at 7:00 am (or paddlers can meet at Ona Beach State Park at 7:30 am) and return to HMSC at 10:30 am (in time to get to OCCC by 11:00 am for the plenary session). Denise will share examples of how she uses kayaking as an educational tool. This kayak trip is good for everyone from first time kayakers to the very experienced.

Bring a water bottle, sunscreen, fleece, poly, or wool, and a waterproof layer.

Accessibility requirements: Participants must be able to launch, sit in, paddle, and disembark from a kayak.

Limit 14 participants.

Behind the Scenes at the Oregon Coast Aquarium

9:00 – 10:00 am

How does the Aquarium care for a swarm of stinging jellies and dozens of toothy sharks? Travel behind the scenes with us to explore the ins and outs of caring for over 15,000 animals every day. Meet at the Aquarium entrance at 9:00 am for a 1-hour tour before the aquarium opens to the public!

Accessibility requirements: None.

Limit 15 participants.

Plenary Session #1 • Saturday, July 26 • 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Robert Kennta

Plenary Session #2 • Sunday, July 27 • 9:00 – 10:00 am

Taylor Chapple, Oregon State University, Hatfield Marine Science Center

Shark Infested Waters: Why That’s a Good Thing

Sharks are an iconic global species with a reputation often based on fiction. Dr Chapple from the Big Fish Lab at Oregon State University, the leading shark research lab in the Pacific Northwest, has studied sharks for over 20 years. He will share the BFL’s research on sharks in the Pacific Northwest and around the globe, replacing fiction with fact.

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Concurrent Session #1 • Friday, July 25 • 1:00 – 2:00 pm (50 min sessions)

Cedar and Sea: How to take our concepts to the classroom

Eli Schenk
Columbia River Maritime Museum

Education: Forest to Sea

Decoding Coastal Change: A Hands-On Look at Climate Impacts Through Data

Heather Armstrong
Southern Oregon STE(A)M Hub / SOESD

STEAM Education

Ocean Literacy: The Foundation for the Success of the Ocean Decade

Teresa Kennedy
University of Texas at Tyler

Advocacy and Outreach

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Concurrent Session #2 • Friday, July 25 • 3:00 – 4:00 pm (50 min sessions)

Multi-disciplinary Salmon Education in the Outdoors

Nathan Zabel
Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (NSEA)

Education: Forest to Sea

Land – sea conservation strategies – Cape Perpetua Marine Reserve

Paul Englemeyer
Oregon Bird Alliance

Education: Forest to Sea

Nature Journaling at Yakona Nature Preserve & Learning Center

Anna Rogers
Yakona Nature Preserve & Learning Center

STEAM Education

Whole Being Teaching with Camp-In-A-Box

Leigh Lubin
Alaska Sea Grant

Advocacy and Outreach

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Concurrent Session #3 • Saturday, July 26 • 1:30 – 2:00 pm (30 min sessions)

Improving access to ocean and coastal data: How the Northwest Association of Networked Ocean Observing Systems serves the Pacific Northwest

Rachel Wold
University of Washington, Northwest Association of Networked Ocean Observing Systems (NANOOS)

STEAM Education

Foam Free Waters

Lilly Woodbury
Surfrider Foundation Canada

Advocacy and Outreach

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Concurrent Session #4 • Saturday, July 26 • 2:15 – 2:45 pm (30 min sessions)

Working Waters: Live Tank Tech Training & Seafood Butchery

Maggie Michaels
Oregon Coast Visitors Association/Oregon Ocean Cluster

Education: Forest to Sea

The Plight of the Albatross:  Creating Connections to Encourage Environmental Stewardship

Melissa Kilgore
Lane Community College

STEAM Education

Explore creative outreach strategies that make an impact for the ocean and communities: 25 years of community education

Kendra Nelson
SeaChange Marine Conservation Society

Advocacy and Outreach

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Concurrent Session #5 • Saturday, July 26 • 3:00 – 4:00 pm (50 min sessions)

The Story of Life as Told by Water

Kathy Chambliss
Cascade Head Biosphere Collaborative

Education: Forest to Sea

Trailcams, Drones and Hydrophones Oh My!

Ardi Kveven
Ocean Research College Academy/Everett Community College

STEAM Education

Marine Debris Interruptions: Student find solutions to prevent trash in the ocean

Cait Goodwin
Oregon Sea Grant

Advocacy and Outreach

Become a 2025 Conference Sponsor

Your sponsorship will positively impact our community and help provide educators with inspiring curriculum, hands-on experiences and life-changing learning.

The Northwest Aquatic and Marine Educators (NAME) annual conference will be held in Newport, OR on July 24-27,2025. Each year this conference immerses educators from Oregon, Washington, Alaska and British Columbia in hands-on, engaging lessons focused on freshwater and marine ecosystems. This year, Newport, OR will be our home base and through the theme of Aquatic Science Extravaganza: Outdoor Explorations from the Forest to the Sea!, we will explore the geologic and indigenous history of the area, tide pools, dunes, the bay and coastal forest, discover new curriculum opportunities for students of various levels and to share experiences and curriculum. Field experiences each day will offer opportunities for kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, crabbing, clamming, hiking, and playing in the dunes. Evening activities will bring camaraderie and music, and our fabulous gala is being hosted by the Oregon Coast Aquarium.

This event is organized locally, and we are requesting sponsorships from our community in a variety of forms:

• Auction items for our annual Gala
• Cash donations for scholarships for underserved or participants in need
• Food donations

Help support communities of life-long learners who care about our aquatic world! Your donations & sponsorships will be used to:

• Provide unique learning & leadership opportunities for students and educators;
• Promote understanding of ocean literacy and sustainable ecosystems;
• Support and empower a diverse network of water-wise students and educators;
• Provide conference scholarships to ensure equal access to this amazing learning experience

The Northwest Aquatic and Marine Educators (NAME) is a “family” of educators passionate about oceans and watersheds founded in 1976. NAME includes members from Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon. Annual NAME conferences rotate through these states and the province. In addition, each state or province offers local professional development opportunities for formal and non-formal educators throughout the year.

Thank you for considering a sponsorship for NAME’s annual conference Aquatic Science Extravaganza: Outdoor Explorations from the Forest to the Sea! Below are sponsorship forms and levels to help us meet our fundraising goals. NAME is a 501c(3) organization and our tax ID number is 68-0622053. Your donation is tax-deductible to the extent of the law.

If you have any questions please contact Fawn Custer at 541.270.0027 or scholarships@pacname.org

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Sponsorship Levels

Orca—$2000+

• Two complimentary conference registrations
• Option to sponsor a session
• Complimentary SeaFaire exhibitor table
• Sponsor logo prominently featured on social media, website, and conference program

Salmon—$1000-$1999

• One complimentary conference registration
• Complimentary SeaFaire exhibitor table
• Sponsor logo prominently featured on social media, website, and conference program

Octopus—$500-$999

• One discounted conference registration
• Complimentary SeaFaire exhibitor table
• Sponsor logo displayed on conference website and program

Anemone—$250-$499

• Complimentary SeaFaire exhibitor table
• Sponsor logo displayed on conference website

Access for All—$200

• Sponsor any number of conference registrations for youth, Indigenous community members, or other educators to attend the conference free of charge
• Sponsor logo displayed on conference website

Download the 2025 Sponsor Letter or Flyer to share

Hotels

Holiday Inn Express & Suites

135 SE 32nd St., Newport, OR 97365
p. (541) 867-3377 – f. (541) 867-3378 – c. (971) 239-9601

Holiday Inn Express Newport is proud to host overnight accommodations for this event with reduced group rate sleeping rooms. We are located within easy walking/driving distance to all that Newport has to offer. All rooms are recently renovated and feature in room Refrigerators, Microwave, Keurig Coffee, Iron & Blow Dryer. Hotel is equipped with an indoor pool & spa, fitness center, coin op laundry & meeting space.

A block of reduced rate sleeping rooms has been reserved for participants attending this event. Rates are $289.00 + tax* per room, per night for a single king bed sleeping room & $292 + tax* for a two queen bed sleeping room .  Rate does include a complimentary Full American Hot Buffet Breakfast served weekends 6:30am- 9:30am (10AM Weekends)  for all overnight guests. *tax = 13.5%

Reservations may be made by clicking on this link or calling the hotel directly and ask to make a reservation under group code ASE with the Sales Department. Please note that the cutoff date for these reservations is Monday June 23, 2025. After this date rates and availability may no longer apply. To make your online reservation simply click on the link below and hit the View Prices Button. Next enter your arrival and departure dates then click on the View Prices Button just to the right of the reservation date calendar. Group rates for this event will appear.

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Newport

45 SE 32nd St, Newport, OR 97365
p. (541) 867-7727

La Quinta Inn offers Contemporary lodging with an accessible indoor pool & hot tub, plus free continental breakfast, parking & WiFi. Check-in: 4:00 pm, Check-out: 11:00 am. Air-conditioned and pet-friendly. Guests can use this link and input the dates they would like to stay between the 23rd and 27th of July to get a discounted rate. It isn’t valid for any other dates.

Motel 6

2633 SE Pacific Way, Newport, OR 97365
p. (541) 867-7055

Motel 6 is right across the street from Rogue and pet friendly. No Rooms are blocked off but this is a good option.

RV Parks

Harbor Village RV Park

923 SE Bay Blvd.
p. (541) 265-5088

RV camping, Public restroom, Public shower

Port of Newport South Beach RV Park & Marina

2120 SE Marine Science Dr
p. (541) 867-3321

South Beach RV Park offers water & bridge views. Sites RVA206-210 in the Annex campground are being set aside for NAME from 07/24/2025 check in at 2pm – 07/27/2025 check out at Noon. Sites include 30 amp power, water/sewer hookups, Wifi, cable, and shower/laundry facilities at a daily rate of $64.22 including tax. Please book directly with the RV Park.

Pacific Shores Luxury Motorcoach Resort

6225 N Coast Hwy
p. (541) 265-3750

Pacific Shores offers RV camping, RV water hookup, Public restroom.

Other Lodging Options

• Newport Belle Floating River Boat Lodging
• Marine Discovery Tours Guest Rooms
• Anchor Pier Lodging with Meredith
• Plenty of vacation rentals Waldport-Newport, Oregon
  • Waldport is 20 min away
  • Seal Rock is 15 min away
  • South Beach is 2 min away
  • Newport 5-10 min away