March Events

CHUM TALES
Check out this great video on the history of the chum salmon restoration project started by Wild Olympic Salmon. It is on internet at: www.blip.tv/file/1024442/

Make a batch of popcorn (it's 26 minutes long -- but well worth it!)

PROTECTION ISLAND OPEN HOUSE

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and People for Puget Sound—the site proponent for the proposed Protection Island Aquatic Reserve—will hold an open house-style public meeting on Wednesday, March 25 to provide information and gather ideas from the community regarding the proposal.

Time: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Where: Gardiner Community Center, 980 Old Gardiner Road, Sequim, WA 98382

At the meeting, a brief presentation will discuss DNR’s Aquatic Reserve Program and the proposal for the state-owned aquatic lands around Protection Island. Following the presentation, the public will have the opportunity to have their concerns heard, offer ideas about the location of the proposed reserve, provide local information about the wildlife habitats and activities that occur in the area, and share their ideas about DNR management of the proposed reserve.

This will be a great opportunity for interested Beach Watchers to learn about the proposed aquatic reserve and become part of the evaluation process.

For more information on the proposed reserve: http://www.dnr.wa.gov/ResearchScience/News/Pages/nr09_032.aspx


EARTH DAY IS COMING IN APRIL
Calling all Beach Watchers! We are hosting a table for Earth Day at Wild Birds Unlimited in Gardiner on Sunday, April 26, 2009 from 10am to 4pm. I am looking for volunteers to help set up and staff the booth. Please contact me asap at darcym@jefferson.wsu.edu. You can come for part or all of the day.




Plastics Sampling Coming Soon

Beach Watchers all over the Puget Sound will be conducting the micro plastic sampling on beaches throughout the Puget Sound this spring. We will be conducting our sampling on Thursday, March 26. Our adopted beach is at Fort Flagler. Please let me know if you plan on joining our team. We will meet at WSU at 10am to carpool out to the site. Yep, rain or shine!

Here are the results from last year.

















Citizen Scientist Conference Held Here!

The Exploring the Spectrum of Citizen Science Workshop will be held April 10 and 11 at Fort Worden. And it is free! Register early as workshop space is limited. Food will be provided along with a process for travel reimbursement. The workshop will begin on Friday evening with keynote speaker Dr. Bruce Lewenstein. Saturday will include a full day of interactive sessions featuring marine and ocean related citizen science panels focusing on topics such as the elements of starting a new program, training and working with volunteers, citizen science data driving action and change, funding issues, data successes and challenges, scientist and citizen partnerships, publishing and more.

The event is hosted by Ocean Learning Communities, Washington Sea Grant, the Pt. Townsend Marine Science Center, and the Puget Sound Partnership.

You can register by going to the COSEE-OLC website at www.coseeolc.net and clicking on the event announcement.