BEACH WATCHERS IN ACTION!!
RHODY PARADE
WSU Beach Watchers got the word out about clean water by participating in the 74th Annual Rhody Parade on May 16. Many thanks to everyone who turned out. The crowd was great and the weather was amazing! Kate Dwyer led us in our cheer (2, 4, 6, 8 what do we appreciate? Cleeeaaaan Water!) Linda Smith wore her yellow rain gear, Jeffery Hartman, Terri Wagner, Pat Pearson, Mary Jo Nichols. all carried signs, Karl Meyer brought his dog who demonstrated proper pet waste disposal (!) and Andi Niesen was at the head of our team in his unique maritime beach wear. Also thanks to Sally Chapin for moral support and helping get the materials together.BEACH PROFILING
Lots of Beach Watchers supported the North Olympic Salmon Coalition by helping out with beach profiling at the Chimicum Creek restoration site over three days in May. Kudos to Karl Meyer who turned out all three days, and to Jean Erica, Burt Howells, Donna Hendrix, Mary Jo Nichols and anyone else I missed. It was an important step in monitoring the success of this critical restoration.OLYMPIA OYSTERS
Denny Justis and I helped conduct Olympia Oyster surveys with Brady Blake of Washington Fish and Wildlife and Michael Adams, Chair of the Jefferson County Marine Resources Committee. A total of three different sites were surveyed and we located many Oly Oysters – as many as 50 – 60 per plot. This research will help Fish and Wildlife better understand the distribution of this native oyster species.LOW TIDE WALK
Beach Watchers enjoyed a -3.9 tide with volunteers from PT Marine Science Center. About 30 of us clamored gently over the rocks exploring the exposed critters. The only downside of the day was the discovery of a clam hole dug in a fragile eelgrass bed, and worse yet, the hole was not filled and the sand was left on the eelgrass. Eelgrass is an important habitat for forage fish, young salmon and other species and is a food source for Brandt geese. After carefully moving the sand off the eelgrass and filling the clam hole, we realized we have more education to do. Many thanks to Jean Walat and the very knowledgable PTMSC volunteers for the fun day.BEACH WATCHERS CHASE DOWN THE WASTE STREAM
The 2009 Beach Watcher class really wanted to know “the rest of the story” of where Jefferson County’s waste goes. So, off we trooped to the dump. Turns out the dump is really a transfer station. Our solid waste is gathered at the Transfer Station then trucked to Tacoma. There it is put on a train to Roosevelt Regional Landfill on the Columbia River. We also learned more from Al Cairns about recycling and how the transfer station is funded. Then we toured the biosolids and composting facility with John Merchant. Our take home message is to make smart choices when purchasing items to reduce the waste stream. Watch for more information on waste reduction from the Beach Watchers in the coming months.OPPORTUNITIES AND OTHER FUN STUFF!!
OYSTER SEED PLANTING
Saturday, June 6th, 8 am to noon
Chimacum Creek Tidelands
We will be helping Brady Blake of Washington Fish and Wildlife Department plant oysters at the Chimacum Creek (Irondale) restoration!
We will be planting 100 bags of oyster seed. Each bag weighs around 35 pounds and the distance we have to move them is about 1000 feet. We will be bringing several wheelbarrows but more would be helpful. Volunteers should wear long sleeved work shirts or jackets and gloves. There are jobs for everyone. You do not need to be strong to help. Many hands will be needed to distribute the seed. So, please come. It promises to be very interesting.
Meet at 8am at the Irondale Beach. Directions from Rhody Drive (Hwy 19). Turn on to Irondale Road. Turn left onto 4th (at Jesus Is Lord sign). Turn right on Moore (about 2-3 blocks). Go straight ahead to beach.
PTMSC SUMMER KICKOFF JUNE 20!
June 20th Summer kick-off Free Admission
Exhibits open 11 am - 4 pm
1-4 pm Face painting and creating squid cookies
4 pm Presentation: Tsunamis in Puget Sound
NOAA's Chris Moore will present an overview of how tsunamis are generated, the physics of ocean waves, and the history of past tsunamis. He will share the results of a study done in Puget Sound, and describe a demonstration of the forecast system being developed at NOAA National Center for Tsunami Research for implementation at NOAA's National Tsunami Warning Centers.
COMMENTS DUE JUNE 17 ON SMP
The Revised Draft Shoreline Master Program is now available for review.
Comments are due June 17. There will be a public hearing for oral testimony June 17.
GOING TO THE BIRDS
Jane Dolliver, Research Coordinator for COASST (Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team) will present: Listening to the birds: What are seabirds telling us about coastal ecosystem health?"
Thursday, June 11, 2009, 7-8 PM
Poulsbo Marine Science Center
18743 Front St NE, Poulsbo, WA
COASST TRAINING SESSION JUNE 13
Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team needs you. Attend this 6 hour training to get started protecting sea birds. At the interactive, hands-on training session you will learn how seabirds, and particularly beached birds, fit into marine conservation, be introduced to bird identification using Beached Birds: A COASST Field Guide, have the opportunity to try out your ID skills, and learn everything you need to know about how to conduct a COASST survey.
Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team
Training: Saturday, June 13, 2009, 10am-3pm
Poulsbo Marine Science Center
18743 Front St NE, Poulsbo, WA
COASST, University of Washington
http://www.coasst.org
SHELLFISH IN YOUR BACK YARD
June 20
Brinnon Community Center
306144 N, U.S. Highway 101
9am - 4pm
Learn to identify, cultivate and safely harvest shellfish during a free daylong workshop. Curriculum includes classroom and on-the-beach activities. Preregistration is required. To register, call 360/432-3054.
Participants will learn about the biology of bivalve shellfish, which
shellfish grow best on their beach type, and various methods for enhancing
tidelands with clams, oysters and mussels. The workshop will also focus on
ways to protect water quality so that harvested shellfish will be safe to
eat. Workshop instructors include local shellfish farmers and Washington Sea
Grant staff. One-on-one technical assistance will also be offered to all
participants, as part of the Bivalves for Clean Water program. The workshop
will feature both classroom and on-the-beach activities. Workshop participants should bring a sack lunch and mud boots or beach shoes.
FRONTLINE TAPE AVAILABLE
If you missed the PBS show “Poisoned Waters” featuring the Puget Sound that aired on April 21 you can view the entire show online. Click here for the link. It is divided into segments for easy viewing. If online viewing isn’t your thing, I have a video tape at the office that I can check out to you. Just give me a call or email.
INSPIRATION AND HOPE
Looking for something uplifting? Check out this inspirational message from Paul Hawken. It is his graduation address to Portland State graduates. Thanks to Beach Watcher Denny Justis for suggesting forwarding this.