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Registration for the 2014 Beach Watchers Training is now open.  You can find out more about our current programs and register for the 2014 Beach Watcher Training by going to http://jefferson.wsu.edu/nrs// and click on "Beach Watchers".

Our WSU Jefferson County Extension website has been converted to a more user-friendly format, so we can post information more easily. For the sake of simplicity and efficiency, we have discontinued this Water/Beach Watchers Blog. Thank you to all who contributed! --Cheryl Lowe, Beach Watcher Coordinator, January 2014.

Coastal Geology with Hugh Shipman

2013 Beach Watcher Training begins April 2nd.  Apply now! 

Beach Watchers Training includes great field trips like this one...

Every year, Hugh Shipman, a Coastal Geologist with the Washington Department of Ecology, teaches Beach Watchers about how beaches, coastal bluffs and other shoreline features form and change over time. After a 2-hour morning lecture on coastal processes, we head to a local shoreline for immersion learning. Each year we explore a different shoreline.  In 2012 we went to Hood Head to study the source and movement of beach sediments. “Drift cells”, areas where sediment is transported and deposited, are critical habitat for many marine species.

Hugh Shipman (right) leads field trip

In 2012, Beach Watcher Coordinators Mary and Michael Adams added to the fun by cooking salmon and clams as part of the class. There were fresh oysters on the grill plus additional treats supplied by the Beach Watchers.

Definitely a memorable and very busy day!

Beach Watchers 2012 Volunteer Projects

Clam Seeding

Beach Watchers often participate in projects sponsored by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).  In 2012, Beach Watcher volunteers were asked to help augment the naturally occurring shellfish available for recreational harvest by “seeding” selected beaches with juvenile clams and oysters. There were two clam seeding opportunities in August 2012 – one at Wolfe Property State Park and another at Point Whitney.

Creosote Removal Project

The many chemicals in creosote leach into the environment where they cause harm to marine species. Beach Watchers helped with a major effort in April 2012 to remove creosote-treated wood debris from South Indian Island Park in East Jefferson County. This project was sponsored by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR). 

Beach Watchers and Washington Conservation Corps volunteers gathered creosote contaminated scraps and identified the larger pieces for the final heavy-lifting by helicopter.  At the end of the project, we had removed a total of 50 tons of debris! 

Recreational Crabbing

The Chef’s Night for Dungeness Crab event on August 9 was a delightful ending to the 2012 Recreational Crabber Outreach Project in Jefferson County. Beach Watchers from Jefferson and Clallam counties met at the Northwest Maritime Center Courtyard in Port Townsend for expert instruction on preparing freshly caught crab.

Local shellfish farmer and Beach Watcher 2012 curriculum developer, Michael Adams, demonstrated techniques for cleaning and cooking. He reviewed crab biology while showing how to ‘open’ a cooked crab. Questions about how to tell male from female were answered during the biology lesson.

Local chef and Beach Watcher, Steve Urbanc, provided a variety of suggestions for preparing crab, including using shells in crab bisque. He reviewed the classics like crab dip and crab cakes and also encouraged people to add crab to recipes they may already make, like coleslaw, pasta salad, scalloped potato and omelets.

Recreational Crabber Outreach Training was available to Beach Watchers in July. Attendees had the opportunity to learn about Dungeness crab biology, harvest methods, trap operation, preventing loss of crab pots and using natural fiber escape cord. Training also included crab fishery management and history, commercial and recreational harvesting, recent (2010) WDFW revisions to crabbing policy, and efforts to improve compliance on minimum size, catch recording and reporting. The instructors were Don Velazques from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Michael Adams.

In July, Beach Watchers also gathered for a Packet Party where they assembled information packets for recreational crabbers and shared a pizza dinner afterwards.  Packets were distributed to multiple sites in Jefferson and Clallam counties including retail licensing locations, marinas and fairs. 

Beach Watcher Training in 2012: The Outdoor Classroom

The 2012 Jefferson County Beach Watchers completed most of their training on field trips to local beaches, streams, forests and wetlands. Curriculum Coordinator Michael Adams and Volunteer Coordinator Mary Pitts organized this packed schedule of learning activities.

Beach Watchers learn about raising clams on Indian Island

The course started with classroom instruction in watershed ecology, biology, soil science, water quality monitoring and related topics.  This lecture material was quickly put to use. On the second day of class the Beach Watchers were already in the field learning about storm water management while visiting a bioswale in Port Townsend.

Matt Berberich explains rain garden construction, planting and maintenance

There were several field trips to watershed restoration projects. Peter Bahls led a tour to multiple sites in the Tarboo Watershed Restoration.

Field trip to Tarboo Watershed Restoration

The North Olympic Salmon Coalition (NOSC) team provided opportunities for Beach Watchers to become actively involved in the NOSC riparian and salt marsh restoration projects.

Beach Watchers plant trees at NOSC Snow Creek Restoration

A few adventurous Beach Watchers participated in Fyke netting in Discovery Bay. Nets were placed in the bay to temporarily capture fish for observation and counting.  NOSC uses data on the types and numbers of fish to evaluate restoration efforts.

Fyke netting in Discovery Bay

Hardy Beach Watchers don wetsuits for Fyke netting on a chilly March morning

The Little Quilcene delta complex restoration provided a perfect location for the official Beach Watcher 2012 group photo.

Washington Conservation Corps Rain Garden and the Rain Garden Mentor Program

In November 2011, the WCC contacted WSU Beach Watchers to arrange a tour of the downtown Port Townsend Rain Gardens.  They were investigating the idea of installing a rain garden as a Martin Luther King Holiday project and wanted to know more. 

When it rains, water rushes over roads and parking lots, roofs and sidewalks creating torrents rushing downhill and into Puget Sound. As the water runs over these surfaces, it picks up and carries with it a toxic mix of PCBs, copper (from brake linings and bottom paint), zinc, bacteria and more ------ a lethal cocktail for the marine life dwelling in the Sound.  75% of the toxins entering Puget Sound come from polluted stormwater runoff, not cargo ships or factories.

These invisible toxins accumulate in the tissue of fish, shellfish, seals, whales – throughout the food chain.  Polluted stormwater is the #1 cause of pollution in Puget Sound!

Rain Gardens are one tool in a host of Low Impact Development (LID) techniques.  Rain Gardens handle both the volume of stormwater and treat the pollution.  They can add beauty to the urban environment as well.

A Rain Garden acts just like a wetland or pond – trapping water then slowly allowing it to infiltrate into the soil.  The soil breaks down excess nutrients, harmful chemicals and heavy metals.

The WCC Port Hadlock crew set themselves to finding a site for their rain garden.  They wanted it to be in a location that would capture stormwater and be easily accessible for educational purposes.  After considering several sites, the crew chose to install their rain garden at the Chimacum Schools.  Look for it when you are in the area.

WSU Beach Watchers are expanding their efforts of Rain Garden Education to include a Rain Garden Mentors Program.  Mentors are trained to help community members:
* select the right location:  you need to test your soil (similar to the perk test for septic) to determine the best location.  Some places, such as right next to your house or on a bluff are not good. 
* design the garden:  size the garden correctly for the amount of runoff you are treating.
* learn the steps of installing the garden:  excavate 18”-30” of soil, create an entry for the water and an overflow area, level the bottom, add new soil mix  (soil mix is very important)
* build a plant list:  select plants that can tolerate wet to drier conditions.
* learn how to maintain your garden.

WSU has set a goal of 12,000 Rain Gardens by 2016 in Washington State– this would filter 160 million gallons of polluted runoff each year.  Rain Gardens can be a cost effective and efficient way to deal with polluted stormwater run-off.  If you would like to be a Rain Garden Mentor, contact the Extension office.

'SCOOP the POOP' video is Live!

To help reduce the pet-waste contamination of Puget Sound, Steven Urbanc, a member of WSU  Jefferson County Extension’s Beach Watchers, wrote an original song, “Scoop the Poop,” that is now on You Tube.  Professionally produced by Mountainstone Productions in Port Townsend, in conjunction with WSU Jefferson County Extension and the Jefferson County Marine Resources Committee, the short video can be seen at www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfiBpMX4iEY.

 This video is a useful tool for individuals, non-profit organizations, schools and others in spreading the word of the importance of keeping pet-waste pollutants out of Puget Sound.  Publishing the link to the video in newsletters would help spread the word on this crucial program.

The video, suitable for both children and adults, includes scenes of Steven Urbanc singing his song in the Toolshed Studio, dogs and people at Point Hudson in Port Townsend, and scenic views of Mount Rainier and Mount Baker.  It combines the song’s vital message with the joys of summer on the Olympic Peninsula.  This combination makes the 2.5-minute video worthy of viewing multiple times.

 Steven Urbanc, knowing the value of music and humor as teaching tools, originally wrote the song as part of his WSU Beach Watchers training in the spring of 2011.  Each member of the 2011 Beach Watchers class gave a five-minute presentation on the final day of training.  Urbanc’s song was an immediate hit with his fellow students, and he has received numerous requests to sing it.  This interest spread to WSU Jefferson County Extension and the Jefferson County Marine Resources Committee, and this soon led to its recording by Mountainstone Productions and posting on You Tube.

'Reduce Your Use of Plastics' campaign comes to the Wooden Boat Festival

During this years Wooden Boat Festival, a remarkable and very successful campaign took place to educate the public on the evils of plastic and to reduce the use of plastic water bottles at the festival.

It all started when long- time Water Watcher, Burt Howells, was taking a tour of the Wooden Boat Festival storage facility in order to locate some gear which was needed for traffic and parking. He came across 2 boxes containing 64 stainless steel water bottles with the Wooden Boat Festival logo etched on them. Kaci Chronkite, Director of WBF explained that they had tried to sell them at earlier festivals for $5 each with very little success. Burt had been active in the past at reducing plastic water bottle usage and had the idea that by pulling together some resources, they might be able to sell these beautiful water bottles and raise awareness about the pitfalls of plastic. Kaci said she would provide some space for the project at the festival if Burt wanted to take this on. Of course he did! There were 7 days before the festival began.

This is were the miracle began.  Burt contacted every resource he could think of for help and everyone came through like champs!  PTMSC offered their big 5 gallon water jug.  WSU Extension Water/Beach Watcher program offered educational displays on the evils of plastics in the environment.  Jefferson County Democrats offered their canopy.  The Port Townsend Farmer's Market offered tent weights to hold down the canopy in case of gusty winds, and most of all, Andi Niesen and MaryJo Nichols said they would staff the booth during the festival.

The booth came together like magic:  canopy delivered, gusty wind weights at the ready,  table provided by the WBF Committee, Andi appeared with the educational materials and it was "OPEN for BUSINESS".  It was decided that the old price of $5 was so low, it gave people the idea the bottles were of inferior quality, so it was decided to charge $10.  The water bottles were 1st class product - stainless steel.  Within 5 hours on day 1, Andi sold every bottle he had except one which was saved as sample product. We had to close early.

Because MaryJo Nichols knew where to find more WBF water bottles, the booth was able to open on day 2.  She sold 33 more bottles within 3 hours.  Altogether 97 water bottles were sold and $970.00 was given to the Wooden Boat Festival.  AND. . . we were a source of education to help people become aware of the need to reduce our consumption of plastics, and to keep what we do use out of the ocean!

All this in 7 days.  Next time we can do more! It will be the 2nd Annual Wooden Boat Festival 'Reduce Your Use' campaign.  

A huge THANK YOU to Andi Niesen, MaryJo Nichols, Kaci Chronkite, Jefferson Co. Democrats, PT Farmers Market, PTMSC, WSU Jefferson Co. Beach Watchers and last but NOT least, Burt Howells.

Quilcene National Fish Hatchery Centennial

On August 20, 2011, the Quilcene National Fish Hatchery celebrated 100 years of work with important fish stocks in Jefferson County and the Puget Sound/Hood Canal Region.

The hatchery was completed in August 1911, the brainchild of F.W.Hastings, who introduced a bill in 1903, calling for a fish hatchery on the Big Quilcene River. “The enormous catches of prime salmon which have recently been the order on Puget Sound prove conclusively even to the inexperienced mind that the supply will eventually be exhausted unless the propagation of this fish is carried on to an extent at least approaching the terrific inroads made in the salmon schools by the fishermen, and it is to conserve and promote the profitable industry that the government has taken a hand in scientifically propagating the salmon in the federal hatcheries.”

- Port Townsend and Jefferson County Leader, 1903

To learn more about the history of the Quilcene National Fish Hatchery, check this site from the Port Townsend and Jefferson County Leader, 2011:

http://ptleader.com/main.asp?SectionID=36&SubSectionID=55&ArticleID=29783

2011 Beach Watchers, Katie and Keith were on the scene before the gates opened, setting up the display titled Stormwater - the major polluter of Puget Sound". Katie and Keith, along with fellow 2011 graduate, Tina, put in many hours before the event took place to zoom in on a message that would be appropriate to an event celebrating healthy fish.

The display points out that stormwater is toxic, coming from sources like yard run-off, roadways and car washing areas, animal waste and failing septic systems. It then leads you to the side showing things that you can do to help.

The hand-outs also centered on things a person could do to be a part of the solution: Turning the Tide on Toxics, Taking Care of Streams, Pick Up after your pet bookmarks, Rain Garden manuals and resources, Welcome to Your Watershed papers and Shore Stewards applications.

Over 100 people took a look at the booth and visited with us about water quality. We were glad to have been a part of the many agencies sharing in this super event. If you would like to know more about the Quilcene National Fish Hatchery, please visit their site http://www.fws.gov/quilcenenfh

This is a wonderful site celebrating the centennial anniversary. It has links about the day-to-day operations of the hatchery, a link about the history and links to many of the projects undertaken by the hatchery. Take a moment and take a virtual tour.

“In the early years, you didn’t hear the word conservation, it was all about fishing and industry and economy and development. Today, restoration efforts involving threatened species of Pacific salmon continue to grow in importance.”

-Dan Magneson, fishery biologist, Quilcene National Hatchery

2011 Canoe Journey

A fog was settled down on the water and the air was very still. Coming into town, the morning of July 19, it was good to see the sun breaking through the mists . . . a beautiful morning for the landing in Port Townsend, ancestral home of Chief Chetzemoka.

The first canoe to land that morning had been three days into the journey - traveling from British Columbia. As the canoe approached, they announced themselves, introducing the tribes and peoples they represented. They were welcomed by Marlin Holden, a direct descendant of Chief Chetzemoka of the Jamestown S'Klallam tribe. Each canoe that approached announced themselves and were then welcomed, sometimes with singing and drumming. Family and friends were reunited upon landing and equipment and supplies were hauled from the canoes to the camp where many would spend the night.

Most of the canoes arrived by early afternoon and the beach was a buzz of activity as many came to watch and experience this cultural event. Bystanders were sometimes invited to help carry a canoe onto the beach and then the task of cleaning up after the pull commenced.

Many volunteers from the community were there with refreshing snacks for the pullers. ‘Unbottled’ water was once again made available. Beach Watchers were busy with the jobs of recycling and clean up. Barrels were labeled for recycling or trash and there was even a compost barrel for rinds and seeds.

Many thanks to the helping hands that worked at this event!