Newport, Oregon Wyland Whaling Wall 59

History of the Newport, OR Wyland Whaling Wall 59

-Gray Whales off Oregon Coast

Whaling wall 59

The scenic coastal city of Newport Oregon hosts Wyland’s “Gray Whales off Oregon Coast” an inspiring mural of gray whales as they migrate annually across the Oregon Coastline. Wyland sought to draw attention to Newport, a long-time center for marine conservation and research with connections to the Pacific Ocean, leading to the creation of the mural. It was during this period that gray whales, once on the verge of extinction, began to show significant signs of recovery. The question was: would the recovery last? Although whaling was largely a thing of the past, the populations of these beautiful animals remained thanks to fishing gear entanglement, environmental pollution, and ship strikes.

Renowned marine scientist Dr. Bruce Mate and Mayor Mark Coulson joined Wyland’s efforts and were subsequently invited to dedicate this wonderful gift to the people of Newport, Oregon. During the dedication ceremony, Wyland shared his dream of accelerating the Wyland Foundation’s efforts to help people understand the importance of marine life protection through both upstream and downstream conservation. Today, places like Yaquina Bay, a nearby estuary, continue to struggle from the impacts of industrial development and agricultural runoff, despite being an essential habitat for marine species. Indeed, in the years, since the creation of Gray Whales off the Oregon Coast, the Wyland Foundation has worked tirelessly to program community service projects and classroom initiatives to inform, inspire, and guide people in the effort to promote environment stewardship of our oceans and waterways, so we can enjoy a future where species like the California Gray Whales continue to thrive.

Did You Know?

Gray whales travel up to 12,000 miles round-trip from Baja California to the Arctic, one of the longest mammal migrations to exist. Estuaries, like Yaquina Bay, are home to salmon, migratory birds, sea otters, and other diverse marine animals. These animals are particularly vulnerable to threats from pollution.

Acting as both an educational landmark as well as an artistic one, “Gray Whales off Oregon Coast” works to encourage viewers to identify the need for practices that are sustainable and protect marine life. The Wyland Foundation believes art can inspire action, and every one of Wyland’s murals depict that truth.

Depoe Bay Fish Company
617 SW Bay Blvd.
Newport, Oregon
100 Feet Long x 35 Feet High
Dedicated August 29th, 1994
By Mayor Mark Collson & Dr. Bruce Mate

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