Did you know? The Oregon silverspot butterfly was once common along the Oregon Coast but is now found in only a few places, including Cascade Head. FROM TOP: COURTESY OF OREGON MARINE RESERVES; COURTESY OF WOODLAND PARK ZOO One of the most wildly beautiful stretches of coastline, Lincoln City is also a world-renowned biodiversity hot spot. The UNESCO Cascade Head Biosphere Region enchants with steep rocky cliffs, densely forested uplands and breathtaking ocean views for miles at Cascade Head, and even extends south over Lincoln City to encompass the built environment. In over 100,000 acres (40,469 ha) of pristine habitat, more than 350 species of wildlife call this ecosystem home. Four federally listed endangered species — the spotted owl, marbled murrelet, coho salmon and Oregon silverspot butterfly — as well as elk, black bears, cougars and bald eagles also roam the reserve. HIKING THE BIOSPHERE You can hike out-and-back trails around Cascade Head — a headland named for the cascades that surge from the cliffs to the ocean — and seek numerous native plants that sprout along trails from wispy EXPLORE OREGON’S ONLY BIOSPHERE REGION red fescue to wild rye. In spring and summer, wildflowers erupt with vibrant colors and include coastal paintbrush, goldenrod, blue violet and streambank lupine. The hairy checkermallow, a rare flower with deep-pink petals, also grows here. Many of the trails wind through swaths of ancient forest, from old-growth stands of Sitka spruce to feathery western hemlocks and towering Douglas fir trees. The Lower Cascade Head Trail weaves through a dense forest before opening up to breathtaking views of a coastal prairie, offering a moderately challenging, year-round adventure starting at Knight Park. Always check for weather-related closures before traveling to trails. CONSERVATION FOR THE FUTURE UNESCO Biosphere Reserves are found globally and focus on local conservation, sustainability and education, as well as the interplay between humans and the environment. While there are 47 Cascade Head Marine Reserve 6 EXPLORELINCOLNCITY.COM
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