In this episode, we sit down with Sharlys Leszczuk, educator, real estate agent, and lifelong hospitality professional, to talk about how she’s bringing tourism education to life for students at Nestucca Valley High School. From her start in fine dining and PR in New York City to serving and teaching on the Oregon Coast, Sharlys shares how hospitality is more than service—it’s about connection, creativity, and community. Below are the organizations, local businesses, and partners mentioned in our conversation. Explore the links to learn more about the people and places shaping the future of Oregon Coast tourism and hospitality education.

Helpful links

• Nestucca Valley Jr./Sr. High School
• Tillamook Coast Visitors Association (TCVA)
• Tillamook Estuaries Partnership
• The Schooner Restaurant & Lounge (Netarts Bay)
• Garibaldi Boathouse (Garibaldi, OR
• Grateful Bread Bakery & Restaurant (Pacific City)
• The Riverhouse Nestucca (Pacific City)
• Heartfelt Hospitality
• Tillamook County Parks Departmen
• Tillamook Air Museum
• Pacific City Chamber of Commerc
• Tillamook Area Chamber of Commerce
• Explore Tillamook Coast – Adventure Guide
• Tillamook County Library System

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• Credits:

• • Hosted by Dan Haag
  • Music by Eric Sappington & Mercury Coast
  • Edited by Jon Richardson
    
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In this episode of Tillamook Coast Conversations, Nicole interviews Sydney Elliott, the owner and operator of Kayak Tillamook. Sydney shares her journey from being an English professor to running a guided kayak tour business, emphasizing the transformative power of nature and the importance of connection to the environment. She discusses the unique experiences offered through her tours, the significance of accessibility, and the role of her guides as ambassadors for the waterways. Sydney also highlights the importance of safety, community engagement, and the joy of celebrating milestones on the water.

Helpful links:

• • Kayak Tillamook
  • Alice’s Country House
  • Juntos Afuera
  • WEBS | Friends of Netharts Bay Watershed, Estuary, Beach, & Sea
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• Credits:

• • Hosted by Nicole Steen
  • Music by Eric Sappington & Mercury Coast
  • Edited by Jon Richardson
    
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On this episode of Tillamook Coast Conversations, Mother & Son duo Katie and Houston Vandergriff share Houston’s inspiring journey documenting their worldwide travels while advocating for disability awareness and accessibility in travel. They discuss the origin of their platform, Downs and Towns, and how Houston's Down Syndrome has shaped their experiences and perspectives. In this conversation with host Dan Haag, they stress the importance of travel for personal growth, the challenges faced in accessible travel, and the positive trends in awareness and support for individuals with disabilities. They also share memorable experiences from their travels, particularly in Oregon, and emphasize the power of storytelling in changing perceptions around disability.

• Helpful links:

  • Downs & Towns

  • Photographer With Down Syndrome's Viral TikTok Gets Over a Million Likes on Newsweek

  • TravelAbility

  • 4-H

  • Annual Dahlia Festival

  • Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival

  • Pacific City, OR

  • Rockaway Big Tree Boardwalk

  • Tillamook Estuaries Partnership

  • Tillamook Air Museum

  • Cape Meares Lighthouse

  • Old Wheeler Hotel

  • Garibaldi Boat House

  • Wheel the World

  Credits:

  • Hosted by Dan Haag

  • Music by Eric Sappington & Mercury Coast⁠

    Edited by Jon Richardson⁠

In this episode, Trevor Rogers from de Garde Brewing shares the journey of establishing their brewery in Tillamook, focusing on their unique brewing techniques that emphasize spontaneous fermentation and local ingredients. Trevor discusses the challenges and craftsmanship involved in their brewing process, the importance of seasonality, and their commitment to sustainability. Trevor also highlights the significance of community engagement, collaborations with other breweries, and the evolution of de Garde's locations. Dan and Trevor touch on their annual anniversary event, milestones in de Garde’s journey, and future plans for the brewery.

Helpful Links:

• de Garde Brewing

• Belgian Lambic

• Drie Fonteinen

• Coolship

• Crosby Hop Farms

• Fort George

• Brew Häus

• Ruse Brewing

• Port of Tillamook Bay

• Tillamook Air Museum

• TCVA

• Trailkeepers of Oregon

• Tillamook County Fairgrounds

• Night of the Great Thirst

• BXL

• Cantillon Brewery

• Country Squire Food Truck

Credits:

• • Hosted by Dan Haag
  • Music by Eric Sappington & Mercury Coast
  • Edited by Jon Richardson

TCVA’s Dan Haag sits down with Natalie Nites, Executive Director of the Nestucca, Neskowin, and Sand Lake Watersheds Council to discuss her role and the mission of the council to improve the environmental health of local watersheds. She highlights the challenges faced, including non-point source pollution and the need for collaboration with local communities and organizations. Natalie shares success stories from past projects, the importance of shade for aquatic life, and the prioritization of wildlife species in conservation efforts. She also addresses funding challenges, the balance between economic needs and environmental conservation, and long-term goals for watershed management.

Helpful Links:

• Nestucca, Neskowin, and Sand Lake Watersheds Council

• Tillamook Estuaries Partnership

• TEP’s Claudine Rehn on Tillamook Coast Conversations

• Salmon Superhighway

• Science on Tap (Pelican Brewing)

• TEP Water Quality Map

• Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB)

• Department of Environmental Quality

• The Nature Conservancy

• NOAA

• Private Forest Accord

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

• Lower Nehalem Community Trust

• Explore Nature

• Haystack Rock in Pacific City

• Cape Kiwanda

• Sandlake

• McKenzie River

Credits:

• Hosted by Dan Haag

• Music by Eric Sappington & Mercury Coast

• Edited by Jon Richardson
  

This episode of Tillamook Coast Conversations explores the partnership between Leave No Trace and the Tillamook Coast Visitors Association, focusing on sustainable tourism and the implementation of Leave No Trace principles. Along with our host, Nicole Steen, Leave No Trace’s Matt Schneider and TCVA’s own Dan Haag discuss the importance of educating visitors on responsible outdoor practices, the need for community engagement, and the adaptation of Leave No Trace principles to fit the unique ecological and cultural context of the Tillamook Coast. The conversation culminates in a detailed discussion of the seven principles of Leave No Trace, emphasizing the importance of stewardship and responsible recreation. Not only do they outline the Leave No Trace principles as they apply to the Tillamook Coast, but they also emphasize the importance of wildlife conservation, community engagement, and education. Nicole, Dan, and Matt also discuss strategies for spreading awareness and the role of local businesses in promoting sustainable tourism. They envision a future where visitors are well-informed and actively participate in preserving the natural beauty of the area through collaborative efforts.

Helpful Links:

• Leave No Trace

• Visit Bend

• Caring for Our Coast

Credits:

• Hosted by Nicole Steen

• Music by Eric Sappington & Mercury Coast

• Edited by Jon Richardson
  

In this episode of Tillamook Coast Conversations, Nicole Twigg shares her journey with Kiwanda Coastal Properties, a family-owned vacation rental business in Pacific City, Oregon. She discusses her deep roots in the area, the evolution of vacation rentals from the 1980s to the present, and the impact of technology and platforms like Airbnb on the industry. She chats with host Nicole Steen about the changing dynamics of travel post-pandemic and the importance and benefits of direct bookings for local businesses.

They also explore the evolution of the vacation rental market, particularly in the wake of COVID-19. Nicoles discuss the increased demand for vacation rentals, the diverse offerings available, and the collaborative nature of the industry. They also address the challenges posed by new regulations and offer advice for those looking to enter the vacation rental market.

Helpful Links:

• Kiwanda Coastal Properties

• Tillamook Coast Visitors Association Lodging Portal

Credits:

• Hosted by Nicole Steen

• Music by Eric Sappington & Mercury Coast

• Edited by Jon Richardson
  

On this episode of Tillamook Coast Conversations, Ashley Schahfer shares her journey into accessibility advocacy, detailing her experiences as a wheelchair user and the founding of her consultancy, Empowering Access. She and host Dan Haag discuss the challenges of incorporating accessibility into outdoor spaces, the importance of community engagement, and the role of technology in improving accessibility. Ashley stresses the need for collaboration and education to overcome barriers and highlights the positive shifts in attitudes toward accessibility in Oregon.

Learn More:

• Empowering Access
• Wheel the World
• David’s Chair
• Mobi Mat

Credits:

• Hosted by Dan Haag
• Music by Eric Sappington & Mercury Coast⁠⁠⁠
• Edited by Jon Richardson⁠⁠