The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

Why You Should Visit    

Seven miles inland from the Pacific Ocean, this island on Oregon's central coast is an excellent example of an estuarine saltmarsh ecosystem. Low elevation leads to daily floods at high tide. At low tide, the island is dissected by a maze of tidal channels, adjoined by expanses of mudflats.

Location

East of Florence in the Siuslaw River

Size

187 acres

What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing

Volunteers help control the only known Oregon population of saltmeadow cordgrass (Spartina patens), an invasive, introduced species that threatens native wetland vegetation. Researchers believe it arrived decades ago in packing material for clams, and Conservancy ecologists and volunteers are testing methods of controlling the species to prevent it from spreading to other coastal marshlands.

Things To Do

What to See: Plants

The preserve supports several important habitats including eel grass (Zostera marina) beds in the lower estuary and Henderson’s checkermallow (Sidalcea hendersonii).

What to See: Animals

Abundant with softshell clams and shrimp, the nutrient-teeming mudflats provide feeding grounds for great blue herons from nearby rookeries. Over 80 species of birds and waterfowl, including great egrets, phalaropes, whimbrels and short-billed dowitchers are known to visit this largely undisturbed coastal marsh. Island residents include beaver, river otter, muskrat and mink. In addition, hawks and ospreys are commonly seen.

Plan Your Visit

Due to extreme tidal fluctuations, special care is needed to ensure that boats are safely tied up and secured. Please visit the preserve during low tide only in the spring and summer. There are no official trails. Foot travel is difficult because small, but deep, tidal channels are often covered by vegetation.

Please observe the following guidelines while hiking:

• Stay on the trail. Don't collect plants, insects or other species or disturb soil, rocks, artifacts or scientific research markers.
• No dogs. Preserves harbor ground-nesting birds and other wildlife that are extremely sensitive to disturbance.
• No bicycles or motorized vehicles. Native plants and research sites are easily trampled.
• No hunting, camping or campfires.
• For groups of 10 or more, please contact us before visiting a preserve (a volunteer naturalist guide may be available).
• Please bring a bag and carry out any trash you find.
• Please report to us any problems you observe (e.g., camping, plant removal, hunting, off-road vehicle damage, etc).

Directions

Access to Cox Island is by boat. There is a boat ramp at the Siuslaw marina three miles east of Florence on Highway 126, near the small town of Cushman.

The island is one mile downstream from this point. The best places to land are on the northeast corner of the island, and near the old house on the north side.

Discussion

Have you been to this preserve? Are you thinking of visiting? See what others are saying about their experiences and add your comments below.

Add Your Comments

Time for you to join the discussion. Tell us about your experience at this preserve. What plants and animals did you see? When did you go? You can help others plan their visit when you share your thoughts. And thank you for visiting one of our nature preserves!

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