VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR JULY

CRAB POT ESCAPE CORD

Crabbing started on July 2nd and we were small in numbers but our impact was felt. Thank you to Linda Smith, Nancy Kragh, Alan Brown, Jim Watson, Duane Nail and Sally Raikes for distributing the "rotten cotton" cards at the PT Marina, Port Ludlow, Port Hadlock, Brinnon, Cape George and Quilcene. WE STILL NEED SOMEONE TO GIVE OUT CARDS/SURVEYS IN KALA POINT. And kudos to Sally Chapin for the fabulous poster.
Want a quick overview of the project? Click here to learn more.




And...you don't even have to wear the silly hats to help this project. You can help by making more card. We have given out nearly 300, but the goal for the season is 750! You can create the cards at home. Call Jadyne if this is a way you want to spend your volunteer hours.


Another reason to join the escape cord team.
Read the July 8th PND article about the humpback whale entangled by derelict gear.


WELCOME TO YOUR WATERSHED packets
Did you move here from another state and wanted to know more about the natural resources and water issues in your state? Pat Pearson has created the perfect "Jefferson County 101" introduction...it just needs volunteers to put it together and distribute it to libraries, chambers and real estate offices so it can be given to newcomers. If you want some sit down time in the WSU office with our wonderful staff, this is the job for you.

MARINE INVASIVE SPECIES TRAINING
Thank you to Water Beach Watchers and WBW friends for attending the training on a Saturday in June. And I just thought that tunicates were a problem. There are more than 30 species we need to look for. Interested? Ask Carol Baker, David Burrows, Carol Scrol, Bob Triggs, or Burt Howells...they all attended the training. And, I know that at least one of them is looking for a partner to help survey the beaches.

FISH TRAPPING
Glenn Gately at the Conservation District needs volunteers to help set traps in local streams and count juvenille salmon. If you fish, like being outdoors, want to help with the research component of water quality or live by a stream, this is a perfect match. Alan Brown is doing this work on Salmon Creek and enjoys it. Al Latham of the Conservation district forwarded a link to a short (26min) video "documentary" about the WOS/NOSC summer chum salmon project http://blip.tv/file/1024442/

NOSC WAR ON WEEDS
Salmon already have a difficult time returning to the stream of their birth to spawn... if the waters are choked with invasive species like Canary Reed Grass the trip is even more difficult. You can help NOSC battle the stream choking, obnoxious plants that keep salmon from going home. This job isn't for the weak of heart...it's tough, get your hands dirty work, but shows immediate results and contributes a great deal to helping make an already difficult journey a bit easier for fish. Contact Elaine at NOSC at either (360) 379-8051 or intern@nosc.org.

JEFFERSON COUNTY FAIR
Free passes if you help spread the word on dog poop. Dog lovers! Put August 8th, 9th, 10th on your calendar. The County Fair is our biggest opportunity this year to reach the greatest on this issue of stormwater and pet wastes. The core committee and Sally Chapin have designed a bookmark and biscuits for getting the message out. We need people who like cotton candy, scones, horticulture buildings and 4H to distribute the info.


COMMUNITY EVENTS, WATER ACTIONS...


QUIET HEROES
There are many of us who quietly continue to do the good work without notice. David Burrows and Burt Howells water monitoring with PTMSC, Noreen Parks helping with scientific writing, Alan Brown trapping and counting fish, Carol Baker and her Chimacum Creek Work, Jean Erreca committee and board work for Salmon, Karen Swanson Woolf for her work on the dog waste issue...those are just the ones I know from the volunteer logs. Thank you!

Learn more about Protection Island
The Port Townsend Marine Science Center is presenting Dr. Jim Hayward & Dr. Shandelle Henson, Thursday, July 17th 7pm Drs. Hayward & Henson will provide a brief overview of Protection Island, its wildlife, and recent research on the island. This will be followed by a description of an ongoing research project demonstrating the very unusual discovery that Glaucous-winged gulls tend to lay their eggs synchronously on an every-other-day schedule. Both Jim and Shandelle are widely published in both the technical and popular literature, and both have won awards for their teaching. They live in Michigan for nine months of the year, and during the remaining three months enjoy the incredible beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Their research is funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation. Admission: Non-members $7; members $5.

Live on the Shoreline? Enjoy the Shoreline of Jefferson County?
Now is the time to provide input on the Shoreline Master Program (SMP) Update Shoreline Restoration Plan. The SMP is seeking public comments by July 11, after which they will meet with our two advisory committees on August 5 to review any final changes.
It is available for viewing & download online at http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/commdevelopment/ShorelineRestoration.htm#Revised_Shoreline_Restoration_Plan.

Oil Spill 101
Wednesday, July 16th from 7-9 pm, the Washington State Oil Spill Advisory Council will be at the Harborside Inn, 330 Benedict Street in Port Townsend for a Community Networking and how to be active around spill issues in our state and county. They will share resources and information including free clean boating kits for attendees. More information about the Oil Spill Advisory Council can be found at http://governor.wa.gov/osac or 360-725-0221.

Milestones for Puget Sound
Keep up with the work of the Puget Sound Partnership.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/368586_pugetsound27.html