Paul Robertson will lead a community education workshop to introduce participants to the iNaturalist app, a tool for identifying the seaweed, animals and plants that are found along the wrack line on the beach.

By Oregon Coast TODAY

Oregon Coast Community College has announced its largest selection of noncredit community education courses with more than 80 offerings this fall from Waldport to Lincoln City.

The lineup includes a variety of classes aimed at enriching the lives of community members, whether they are looking to explore a new hobby, improve skills or simply have fun.

Among the many offerings, Birding Basics stands out as a perfect choice for nature enthusiasts. Instructed by Caren Willoughby and Laura Doyle, this course runs from 1:30-3 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Sept. 24 to Oct. 2 at the college’s Lincoln City campus. Participants will delve into bird identification, learn about the behaviors and habitats of coastal resident and migratory birds and enjoy a hands-on field trip. The cost is $40 plus $10 for materials.

For those interested in environmental science, Paul Robertson will lead iNaturalist and the Wrack Line: Crowd-Sourcing Environmental Data on Sept. 18 and Sept. 20. This workshop, taking place from 10 a.m. to noon in Lincoln City, will introduce participants to the iNaturalist app, a powerful tool for identifying the seaweed, animals and plants that are found along the wrack line on the beach — all in an effort to track the impacts of climate change on the oceans over time. The course also explores its use in a citizen-science project at Cascade Head Biosphere Reserve, providing practical insights into environmental data collection. The course fee is $25.

Gardeners looking to extend their growing season will find valuable tips in Planning Your Winter Garden. Led by Laura Strom, this one-day session on Saturday, Sept. 7, at Newport Public Library will help participants navigate the challenges of winter gardening on the Oregon coast. The session runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and costs $5.

Another intriguing option is Fall In To Bulbs, scheduled for 1:30-4 p.m. Oct. 11 in Newport. Joan Crall will guide participants through the process of planting a variety of bulbs for spring blooms, with a special focus on garlic cultivation. This session combines indoor learning with a practical demonstration in the OSU Extension Service Demonstration Garden. The fee is $5.

Music lovers and aspiring musicians can join Mike Tolle for Beginning Guitar, a course designed for absolute beginners. Running from Sept. 24 to Oct. 22, classes will be held from 5-6:30 p.m. Tuesdays in Newport. The course, priced at $40, provides a relaxed group setting where students will learn the basics of guitar playing.

The Oregon Coast Halloween Chorus, led by Brandon Lucas, invites singers of all levels to celebrate the Halloween season. The unique chorus will meet twice weekly, from Tuesday Oct. 15 to Thursday, Oct. 31, at the Lincoln City Cultural Center. Participants will prepare for a special performance featuring Halloween classics, to be delivered on stage at the cultural center early on Halloween evening. The cost for the course is $35.

Given the popularity of the courses, early registration is recommended. For more information, go to www.oregoncoast.edu/communityed or call 541-994-4166.