Shifting Tides was born out of a combined love of the Oregon Coast, outdoor education, sustainable foods, and coastal foraging. After years of working in marine science, environmental education, seaweed farming, and food systems, I am inspired to continue teaching about the overlapping sectors of our wild environment and wild edibles through coastal foraging. 

As a marine biologist with a family of restaurant owners, culinary artists, food writers, and chefs, I’ve come full circle by teaching about coastal foraging in the place I love most - the rocky shores of Oregon.

- Alanna Kieffer

North Coast, Oregon

The rocky shores and towering trees of the Pacific Northwest make this an exciting ecosystem with extremely rich biodiversity. Oregon’s coastal intertidal ecosystems, ranging from exposed, rocky shore areas to protected, river-fed estuaries and bays, are some of the most diverse in the world. Our nutrient-rich waters, strong ocean currents, and large tidal swings feed an abundance of wildlife and create the perfect recipe for various species to settle on our shores. The rugged coastline provides endless opportunities for education and foraging.

Intertidal rocky shores make up only 1% of landmass on earth, but in Oregon they account for 41% of our 363 miles of coastline!

These rocky shores provide habitat for nesting seabirds, support kelp beds, act as marine mammal refuges, and create space for intertidal species to inhabit. They’re also habitat for many of the species we like to eat! They provide a range of opportunities, for me it’s been the base of my life in environmental education, coastal exploration, foraging, and overall outdoor recreation in Oregon. They are the bridge between the land and sea worlds, and provide opportunities for visitors to connect with the ocean and underwater world.

Shifting Tides is an exploration between the tides, to expose a shifting baseline in our environment, and inspire a shifting mindset