The Oregon Coast is known for it’s rugged and unique beauty and the sandstone pedestal called Duckbill Rock was one of landscape photographer’s favorite locations to capture. Even though the landmark was roped off to visitors, on the afternoon of August 29th, a group of three individuals approached the rock and started pushing on it. A man named David Kalas, who captured the infuriating act on video told the local news station KATU “I kind of laughed to myself cause I thought there was no way that they could knock it down but then I noticed that it started wobbling and then I started to record it as two of the guys managed to knock it down,”
So, there you have it. Concrete proof that the famed rock formation did not come down naturally. You would think people would learn from the mistakes of others, like the group of Canadian Filmmakers who trampled over Yellowstone’s Grand Prismatic Spring. But, apparently, not.
So what do we have to do in order to help educate people that destroying public lands for your personal satisfaction, or, “for the ‘gram” is not ok? I personally think that the inspiration that us photographers provide that encourage people to enjoy nature in this social media age is mostly positive. For each person out there who causes destruction, there is 1,000 who are able to fully enjoy the scene without leaving a trace. But I do think we will have these issues for years to come until laws that prosecute public land destruction become much more severe, and that the charges are actually being followed through on by government agencies. Find and write your local lawmakers and demand more severe punishment for this type of behavior. Also, donations can always help protect our public lands. I can’t recommend donating to the National Park Foundation enough. The National Park Service also has a list of ways you can contribute your time and effort. And if you wish to help the Oregon State Parks, they have a great page on their website on how you can help preserve Oregon’s unique beauty.
Since the destruction, photographers posted their favorite photos of the famous rock in remembrance, like this great shot from Colby Drake Design. Check out his Facebook and Instagram for more photos of Oregon’s beauty, which hopefully won’t be destroyed by careless vandals.
*Update* Statement from Oregon State Parks “The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, in cooperation with the Oregon State Police, will review the incident immediately and decide how best to respond. The department takes vandalism of a state park’s natural features seriously.”
If you have any information that may be helpful to authorities, please contact Oregon State Parks.
<Via KATU via Nicole S. Young>
14 comments
Here’s hoping there is a prosecution coming as a result of that footage. I’m not talking about some epic prison sentence, but something that will stick with them for a while. People like that should understand that there are consequences to their actions.
Agreed Matt. But sadly, I think the laws are way to lenient, and I have a feeling they won’t get much more than a fine.
Let’s be careful in what type of legislation that we push for as there are many people that do not want the public to access natural areas. This area has been a favorite of mine that I have been going to since my childhood and has become more and more difficult to access because of idiots that die every year not being careful as they hike around this area. This rock unfortunately was close to falling on it’s own, and while I don’t condone what they did, many people would like to see access limited to most natural areas, which will impact us photographers very negatively.
For sure Sam. The “hope” is that access is not restricted any further, but, that punishments for destructive crimes are made more severe, which in turn will “hopefully” deter people from doing stuff like this. “Hopefully”
What’s equally disturbing is their post-destruction attitude. Like, “Fuck yeah, we killed it.” As in, “We have no shame. We are not worried about consequences. Isn’t everything around for us to just, like, piss on?” Clueless idiots.
Agreed… there’s a lot of that attitude out there on public lands, and elsewhere. The land, natural resources, plants and animals are the victims, and everyone suffers the loss – whether they realize it or not. The more we are able to capture the disgraceful behavior (photos, videos, documentation) and publicize it, the more likely we will be able to pass legislation to change the behavior.
Unfortunately, unless it’s a protected monument I doubt there is any way to charge them, although a good public shaming is in order if they can be identified.
I just created a campaign to donate to Oregon state parks foundation! I want to help in any way that I can to preserve oregons parks and prevent this from happening to more beautiful places. gofund.me/capekiwandafund
I am sure they will get the same finger pointing…”shame, shame do not do that again” slap on the wrist that the Canadian criminals received after they financially benefited from doing harm to Yellowstone and the Bonneville Salt Flats and violating the law at Arches and Zion National Parks.
I am sure they will get the same finger pointing…”shame, shame do not do that again” slap on the wrist that the Canadian criminals received after they financially benefited from doing harm to Yellowstone and the Bonneville Salt Flats and violating the law at Arches National Park and Zion National Park.
looks like 4 people to me. One person is blocked by the guy in the red shirt.
Wow, Government is out of control. Putting people in Jail for pushing over a Rock. This country is out of control. We’ll All be criminals soon. Oh wait, most of us already are. It’s the prison country! No, Government should have no claim over a god damn “Rock” just because it’s shaped a certain way… This is the most absurd thing. The scariest part is how people are cheering the government on to press charges…. Just WOW.
Yep…and the next step are those who come and destroy your home because they want to.
Oh, and by the way, since you obviously are ignorant of who the government actually is…..the people of this country are the government.
These are some of the “millennial generation” the country will depend on……