Our Beliefs

vision

To honor the past and secure the future by inspiring the present
through partnerships in education, restoration, and stewardship

mission

Yakona Nature Preserve & Learning Center is a living laboratory
that serves to protect, preserve, and enhance the cultural and natural history
of Oregon’s central coast spruce habitat and its wildlife
through the arts, education, and stewardship.

values

  • Habitat Protection, Restoration, and Stewardship: Yakona is representative of Oregon’s once dominant coastal rainforests. Portions of Yakona were historically logged, which caused segmentation and disruption of natural ecosystems. Our goal is to restore the land to its native old-growth characteristics. 

  • Education: Yakona is a living laboratory for natural and cultural history, sciences and the arts. Partnerships with local K-12 and higher education institutions and the general public enable connections for people of all ages to explore and connect with nature.

  • Partnerships: We believe our strength and success is realized through community engagement and relationships built with organizations and individuals who share our mission and execute on a passion to make the world a better place.

  • Sustainability: Yakona is managed to ensure environmental and financial acumen.

  • Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: Yakona encompasses a portion of the region once populated by the Yaqo'n, a people decimated by colonization and racial injustice. With respect to those who have gone before, Yakona will ensure that all who visit are welcomed, educated in the history of the land, and embraced as partners and stewards in our mission.

JUSTICE, EQUITY,DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION STATEMENT (JEDI)

The effectiveness of Yakona is enhanced when justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion are practiced and protected throughout our organizational governance, culture, and staffing. We are committed to leadership in and serving as a catalyst for promoting JEDI. Yakona does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, military, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, age, citizenship, or any other basis prohibited by law in any of its policies, programs, or operations. We welcome everyone.