The community of Astoria, Oregon has been shaped by the abundant forests, rivers, and coastal waters that surround it. It was established in 1811 as a fur trading post and became the first American settlement west of the Rockies. Over time, Astoria and the surrounding area evolved into a natural resources hub, with industries like logging, fishing, sawmilling and canning driving its economy. For those visiting the local beaches and the delightful breweries and shops that now dot the coastline, the natural resources industries that built these communities might seem part of the distant past. The forest, fishing, and farming sectors, however, continue to buoy North Coast communities to this day. In Clatsop County, commercial fishing, timber production and wood and seafood manufacturing form the backbone of the local economy, creating good, year-round employment and tax and other revenues for schools and rural public services.
To honor the past, present and future natural resources professionals on the North Coast, the community comes together each January for an evening that showcases their pride in growing, harvesting, and processing food and fiber for communities near and far. The annual Clatsop Natural Resources Dinner and Awards Night, organized by the Clatsop Working Watersheds Cooperative and Oregon Women in Timber, recognizes industry leaders while raising funds for high school programs across the county. This year’s event included more than 500 participants and raised a record breaking $174,000, including $25,000 from Hampton Lumber, for high school natural resources and career and technical education (CTE) programs. Recipients this year include: Astoria High School FFA and Fisheries, Warrenton High School CTE and Fisheries, Knappa High School Forestry and CTE programs, Seaside Forestry Club, and Jewell School CTE. Each of these programs provide students with critical hands-on learning opportunities and career preparation in natural resources and CTE.
“For the third year, the Astoria High School Aquatic Biology students (and their teacher) have been amazed at the support and generous contributions of the community at the Natural Resources Dinner and Auction,” said Lee Cain, the school’s Aquatic Biology/Science teacher. “We are so excited to continue expanding and developing our program of study.”
Parents, educators, and business leaders all contribute their time, resources, and passion to ensure the success of this event. Their collective efforts provide a critical funding stream for natural resources and CTE programs in Clatsop County’s high schools, empowering students to explore and pursue careers in essential industries that sustain the region.
“Schools across the county are experiencing budget cuts,” said event co-organizer, Lindsay Davis. Lindsay serves as Community Outreach and Stewardship Coordinator for Hampton Lumber, a fourth-generation, family-owned company that operates two sawmills on Oregon’s North Coast in the communities of Warrenton and Tillamook. “I’m happy we have a business community willing to come together to support schools in this way.”
In the past four years, the event has raised $589,000 for local natural resources programs. The funds raised are making a tangible difference, ensuring that students in Clatsop County have the resources to explore careers in forestry, fisheries, agriculture, and more.
“The annual natural resources dinner is vitally important for the natural resource programs in Clatsop County High Schools,” said Savannah Bigelow, a student in Warrenton High School’s Fisheries class. “It has impacted my fisheries class immensely by gaining funds to better support and improve our hatchery now and for years to come.”
“Natural resources industries create sustainable products we all depend on but they also provide good jobs for thousands of families our area and revenue for rural public services,” said Davis. “This event celebrates that fact with an investment in the future of natural resources stewardship in our community.”
