Past Activity

New Year Beach Clean-Up with SOLVE

  • Start date: 01/03/2026

  • Start time: 8:30 AM

  • End date: 01/03/2026

  • End time: 3:00 PM

Description:

Are you making a New Year's resolution?
Start the new year with a stewardship step forward on January 3, 2026. Obsidians will participate in a multi-group New Year's beach cleanup near Florence, Oregon.
Same as before Obsidians SOLVE dune and shoreline cleanup will be done in conjunction with volunteers from the Willamette Valley Wheelers Club.
Following the beach cleanup, participants can look forward to a small celebration with refreshments and snacks, provided by the Willamette Valley Wheelers Club.
Please meet at 8:15 AM at the Target, West 11th in Eugene, so we can leave by 8:30 AM. We will be carpooling to the Goose Pasture Staging Area, Florence's South Jetty. The work party is from 10:00 AM to Noon, then BBQ party provided by Willamette Valley Wheelers Club. Public restrooms are available.
Brief orientation will be provided as well as trash bags. Please bring your snack and hydration and don’t forget your trusty garden gloves and rain & windproof clothing.
Suggested carpool is $13. Please sign up early and show your stewardship spirit!
After signed-up, if for any reason decide not to participate, please cancel at the Obsidians website so we don't have to look for you.

Photo by: Darko Sojak

  • Event Leader: Darko Sojak

  • Event Leader Phone: 541-799-9199

  • Event Leader Email: darchey@comcast.net

  • Assistant Leader: Angie Ruzicka

  • Event category: Stewardship

  • Area Type: Coastal

  • Departure Location: Eugene Target, W11th, parking lot closest to W11th

  • Rating: Moderate

  • Roundtrip total drive miles: 119

  • Season: 2026

  • Permits Required:

  • Event Status: Passed

  • Supplies and Equipment Required: Please wear closed-toed shoes and weather-appropriate (rain & windproof ) clothing. Please bring your gloves. Trash bags will be provided.

  • participant prerequisites:

  • Conditions:

  • Total Distance: 4

  • Member Fees:

  • Elevation Gain: 250

  • Non-Member Fees:

  • Committee: Stewardship

  • Junior member fees:

Trip Report

Today fifteen Obsidians and approximately eighty members and guests of the Willamette Wheelers Club gathered again at the Goose Pasture Staging Area near South Jetty Florence, Oregon. We all participated in the SOLVE New Year's Beach Cleanup. The weather was generally much better than last year, and the Pacific January tides were impressive. Combing through coastal shrubs was successful.
We are beyond the illusion that few hundred pounds collected today were anything but a droplet in the ocean but it feels great.
Finally, the lucky volunteers enjoyed a grill on the sand dunes. The highlight was a rich raffle and the lucky Obsidians who won a gas fire-pit.
On the way back, enormous ocean tides pushed Siuslaw River very high, flooding Hwy 126 at three places and blocking traffic near historic 1914 Cushman Bridge.