A Photographic Journey of the Tide Pools of Haystack Rock
On Saturday, April 18th the Haystack Rock Awareness Program’s exhibit on the Tide Pools of Haystack Rock opened to rave reviews. The seasonal exhibit encompasses the entire John Williams classroom with beautiful photos featuring the wildlife that live in and around the rock, as well as the history of this important Cannon Beach program.
The exhibit celebrates 30 years of the Haystack Rock Awareness Program and explores the serendipitous story of its beginnings. It was a summer day in 1983 when Neal and Karen Maine brought their spotting scopes and other equipment to Haystack Rock. They planned to observe birds and intertidal creatures, but that wasn’t exactly how their day worked out. Curious passersby crowded around Karen and Neal asking for “interpretation of the wildlife.”
Inspired by the enthusiasm of those who stopped them, Mrs. Maine suggested that a program be organized. From Mayor to City Manager, the idea of an environmental education agency at the rock began to form and in the summer of 1985 a pilot program was launched. The city contracted with naturalists to be present at the rock during low-tide times on four busy weekends. One cannot talk about the first years without mentioning the cadre of volunteers that stepped up to make that first summer a successful one.
The Haystack Rock Awareness Program’s staff and volunteers work tirelessly to not only protect the town’s most iconic image, but to provide education to the public. With the help of the Friend’s of Haystack Rock, the Haystack Rock Awareness Program continues to grow, both in size and scope.
This exhibit is a great way to see how this organization has evolved over the past three decades and to learn a little more about the rock through the eyes of those who know it better than anyone. The exhibit will be on display through September, 2015. The Museum is open 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Memorial Day – Labor Day) and admission is by donation.