July 2009

BEACH WATERS IN ACTION!

Beach Watchers Work HARD! Beach Watchers and other great volunteers from Port Townsend Marine Science Center and NOSC turned out to help Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife seed Pacific oysters at Irondale Beach in early July. The work was hard but the weather (foggy and cool) was good, the tide was low and the company was outstanding. We seeded 100 bags of oysters in two hours! Here are some action shots of the day.

The Truck arrives.










Andy demonstrates












Meredith & Paul have another technique










Shells on the beach (=seeded)











JEFFERSON COUNTY FAIR
WE NEED YOU!!
August 14, 15, and 16, 2009; 10am - 9pm

The Jefferson County Fair is coming right up. Beach Watchers will have a booth to talk with people about all our activities. Watch for a sign up schedule - coming soon - or call Darcy to reserve your spot today! 376-5610 x230.


CRAB POT ESCAPE CORD
HELP NEEDED

Are you good at cutting string and putting it in a bag? Well, do I have a job for you! We need to make more Crab Pot Escape Cord packets to distribute the crab season underway now. Once we have some packets made up, we need to get them out there. Last year Beach Watchers distributed this “rotten cotton” at the following locations.

* The Boat Haven office and gas pump
* Fort Worden at the Marine Science Center
* Fort Flagler
* Mystery Bay
* Nordland Store
* Port Hadlock Launch
* Swains
* Carl’s Building Supply
* Cape George
* The marina at Port Ludlow
* West Marine
* Quilcene Ranger Station
* WSU Extension Office

If you can help with distribution or manufacturing please call Darcy at 379-5610 x230 or email darcym@jefferson.wsu.edu.

NEW PROJECT: WATER QUALITY MONITORING!



Anyone up for water quality monitoring? We have 20 kits from Sound Citizen to conduct testing in our area. The tests are immediate for nitrates, nitrites, total alkalinity and pH. The water sample is then mailed to the University of Washington School of Oceanography for further analysis. We can test fresh or salt water. We would like to try and do some testing at storm drains immediately after a big rain. Other areas of interest include: Mystery Bay, Chimacum Creek and North Beach. If you would like to participate please email me at darcym@wsu.edu
For more information go to: www.soundcitizen.org


MEGALOPS ANYONE?

Jefferson County Beach Watchers are participating in a study to learn where the Dungeness crab larvae in Hood Canal come from. The Dungeness crab population in Hood Canal is in steep decline. Harvest has fallen from 698,000 pounds in 2005, to just 168,000 pounds in 2008. No one knows why.

Dungeness crab larvae (called megalops) drift for up to six months before they settle to the shore and transform to juvenile crabs. Crab larvae in Hood Canal may drift in from as far away as the Pacific Ocean or they may come from Hood Canal. The size of the individuals in each settlement wave, and the timing of their settlement in each location, will give us clues to their origin. Finding the source is key to unlocking the cause of the decline in adult crabs, and will guide management actions for their recovery.

Since megalops larvae cling to anything in their path, collection is easy. A megalops collector (a mesh bag of Tuffy kitchen scrubbers) is hung from a dock or buoy and is collected once a week or more. The megalops are then rinsed off and frozen to be measured later.

WSU Beach Watchers have joined a network of other crab larvae (megalops) observers located from around the straights and Admiralty Inlet. Tribal and State shellfish managers, non-governmental groups and volunteers. All with the common goal of working toward a long term sustainable crab fishery.

For more information contact the research director Paul Williams at pwilliams@suquamish.nsn.us or WSU Beach Watchers of Jefferson County at 360/379-5610 x230. Or check out the website of the Megalops Observer Network at www.megalops.org

Jefferson County Beach Watchers have set up monitoring stations at Port Hadlock, Kala Point, Discovery Bay and Cape George. If you would like to help out, give Darcy a call at 379-5610 x230.


PARTY AT SEATTLE AQUARIUM!
Join other Citizen Scientists at the free COSEE event on Tuesday, August 4th from 6:30 pm- 9:30 pm at the Seattle Aquarium. All active volunteers are invited to a special program hosted by: COSEE-Ocean Learning Communities and the Seattle Aquarium Beach Naturalist Program. This event is for Beach Watchers, Marine Program Staff, Volunteers and Ocean Scientists.

Location: Seattle Aquarium Great Hall and Life on the Edge exhibit
Program: View current Ocean Science Research and Learning Science posters and talk to the scientists.
6:30 View current Ocean Science and Learning Science Research posters and talk to the scientists. Mingle with Marine volunteers, Staff, Ocean and Learning Scientists
7:15 Dinner: Pizza and Salad
8:00 Speaker: Hugh Shipman, Coastal Geologist, Department of Ecology
9:00 Concluding remarks and the famous COSEE raffle
You must RSVP by clicking here or by going to https://www.surveymonkey.com /s.aspx?sm=ZUqJnp4M_2b_2bypW_2fss4iwMUQ_3d_3d

COSEE regrets that they will not be able to accommodate extra guests/family members at this event.

I am planning to attend -- Please join me and carpool/ferry together. Details to follow. Please RSVP to COSEE now and also let me know you are going. Let's have a great showing from Jefferson County!

JUST FOR FUN....

INTERESTED IN WEATHER?
For this inside scoop on the weather, check out Cliff Mass’s excellent blog by clicking here.

FUN WITH FLASH CARDS
REEF Pacific NW Fish and Invertebrates flashcards. This flashcard series, partly put together with the help of new volunteer Larry Osterman, is a great tool for learning or relearning the names of marine creatures. While these are intended for REEF divers, anyone can use them and you don’t have to register online. If you’re a flash card kind of learner, check out this fun and useful set by clicking here.

SAVE THE DATES

STORMWATER MANAGEMENT VIDEO
One Back Yard at a Time.

Video showing.
September 15, 2009
9:00am – 11:30am
WSU Extension, Spruce Room

Followed by a Beach Water social/brown bag lunch


WSU BEACH WATCHERS WATERSHED DAY
October 24, 2009
Details coming…..

June 2009

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.

May 2009

A Wonderful Earth Day at Wild Birds Unlimited

Jefferson Beach Watchers had a joint booth with the Marine Resources Committee on Earth Day at Wild Birds Unlimited in Gardiner on April 26. It was a beautiful day and a beautiful setting! The attendees were very interested in our messages about eelgrass, crab pots, pet waste, bluff erosion and more. About 30 people signed the Eelgrass Protection Pledge!

Many thanks to Beach Watcher Andreas Niesen (pictured at left wearing the crab hat) for operating the Enviroscape and to Tony Petrillo and Caroline Gibson of the Marine Resources Committee for helping to staff the booth. And of course thanks to Gabrielle LaRoche of the MRC for organizing the event.


Water & Beach Watchers Join Together

Four generations of Jefferson County Beach Watchers gathered on May 5 to socialize and share information. Representatives from the 2009 class were joined by members of the 2006, 2007 and 2008 classes. We had a great potluck and good discussions on past and future class projects. An informal survey was conducted to see if there was interest in holding regular "All Beach/Water Watcher" meetings. The survey showed that everyone present wanted to meet again and would like to go on field trips and have speakers. See the next item for more!


To the Dump, To the Dump, Dump, Dump! (well, the Transfer Station)

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, June 2 when we will be going to the Jefferson County Transfer Station to learn how our solid waste is handled - including recycling and composting. The 2009 class requested a trip to the County's transfer station after their trip to the City's Sewage Treatment Plant. They really want to see the process all the way through. Al Cairns, Jefferson County Solid Waste Manager will lead the field trip. Time and carpooling info to come soon. For those of you wanting to do some advance homework, there is a lot of information on solid waste on the County's website at: www.co.jefferson.wa.us/publicworks/solidwaste/solidwasteinfo.asp


Eel Grass Class

There is still time to register for the “Planning for Protection and Restoration of Eelgrass Habitats” class. It will be held in Mt. Vernon at the Padilla Bay Research Reserve on Thursday, May 21, 9 am – 4 pm. Registration is open until May 14. The cost is $60. Please register at http://www.coastaltraining-wa.org

This class is only offered every two years and is packed full of practical information. You’ll get to hear directly from marine scientists and eelgrass specialists and hear step-by-step cases studies, as well as advice from state agencies about how to work within the parameters of state regulations. Instructors include Jeff Gaeckle, Seagrass Ecologist (DNR), Amy Borde, Senior Research Scientist (Pacific NW National Laboratory), Kathy Taylor, Senior Marine Ecologist (Ecology) and Barry Wenger, Senior Environmental Planner (Ecology).


Love Those Native Plants

Native Plant Appreciation Week is May 3rd – May 9th 2009! Below is the scoop on a couple of local events. For other events around the state go to: www.wnps.org/npaw

Friday, May 8, 9:30am - 2:30pm Quimper Peninsula Wildflower Hotspots Begins at Kah Tai Prairie at the Port Townsend Golf Course Contact: Dixie at 385-6432 for information

Saturday, May 9, 10am to noon Kul Kah Han Gardeners, HJ Carroll Park in Chimacum. Talk by Ron Sikes: The Relationship between NW Native Plants and our Local Songbirds and Hummingbirds. Contact: Linda Landkammer at wild4nature@isomedia.com

Low Tides Are Coming!

Joint WSU Water/Beachwatchers and PTMSC volunteers low tide walk at Indian Island, Tuesday May 26th, 11am. Join fellow PTMSC volunteers and Beachwatchers to enjoy a minus 3.5 foot tide and a brown bag picnic lunch. Directions and meeting place will be provided.

April 2009

NEW BATCH OF BEACH WATCHERS!
Congratulations to the 2009 Jefferson County Beachwatchers! Fourteen new Beach Watchers graduated on April 1 concluding their intensive training period. And intense it was! We had either blowing snow, blowing sand, icicles, rain, and/or freezing temperatures on every single field trip. But the class persevered in their quest for knowledge. They ended the class clamoring for a field trip to the County landfill. Hard core? You bet!

A highlight of the class included a trip on the Adventuress with other volunteers from the Port Townsend Marine Science Center. That was cold too, but really interesting and fun. Our thanks to the captain and crew.

Our deepest thanks to the numerous experts who volunteered to give presentations and take the class on field trips all over the county. We could not do this program without their dedication. They were generous with their time and their considerable knowledge.

The newly minted Beach Watchers are now beginning to clock their volunteer hours. They will be joining other Jefferson Water/Beach Watchers, working on monitoring, restoration and education projects for organizations such as PTMSC, NOSC and Jefferson Conservation District. They will also be talking to the public at a wide variety of venues over the coming months….and hopefully enjoying warmer weather too.

Did I mention it was cold?







EARTH DAY VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
Beach Watchers will be hosting a booth celebrating Earth Day at Wild Birds Unlimited in Gardiner on Sunday, April 26. Please contact Darcy at darcym@jefferson.wsu.edu if you can help out at the booth for a few hours. Set up starts at 9:30 and the day ends at 4pm. Volunteers are needed to educate the public on dog waste issues, plastics and run the Enviroscape. This will be a great way to met other Beach Watchers and have fun on Earth Day.


DISCUSSION ON NAVY TRAINING COMPLEX
There will be a meeting on April 9 at 7:30pm at the Port Townsend Community Center to discuss Navy testing at the Northwest Training Range Complex. The U.S. Navy has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement (EIS/OEIS) to evaluate the effects of current and future Navy activities within the range complex on the environment. The Concerned Citizens of Port Townsend & the Port Townsend Peace Movement are the sponsors of the meeting. For more on the public meeting click here. The public comment period ends on April 13. To view the Navy’s draft EIS click here.


NOSC VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
NOSC is looking for volunteers to help setting up the spring smolt traps on creeks West of Port Angeles on April 21 and 22. The work will be physically hard -- but worth it.
It is an excellent chance to get to know some of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe members, and see the creeks out on the West end of the Olympic Peninsula.

If you wish, you may ride in the comfort and luxury of the NOSC vehicle, leaving from Port Hadlock each day. NOSC hopes to fill up their van, so call today. Please RSVP by calling (360) 379-8051 or emailing volunteer@nosc.org


LOW TIDE WALK IN MAY

Mark your calendar for Tuesday May 26th at 11am for our low tide walk at Indian Island with PTMSC volunteers. We will experience a minus 3.5 foot tide. More info coming.

THANKS!
Thanks to Meredith, Denny, Bob, Carol, Jadyne and Bert for conducting sampling for micro plastics at Ft. Flagler (on a cold, windy day). And special thanks to Dee and Meredith for sorting our samples indoors (on a beautiful sunny day.) We need to switch those days around next time!

And as your reward for reading to the end of this blog entry - here is a fun photo submitted by new Beach Watcher Terri Wagner. Thank Terri!

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.

February Events

Encourage one person to join

Take a moment and think of a great person (like you) who would love the training, the people and the challenges of being a Beach Watcher. Call them up and encourage them to join the ranks this March. It is a fabulous gift to the county's waters and the best way to grow a strong water team. And...the best "retirement" gift a coordinator could ever have! Click here for more information and a link to send to your friends.

The stars of 2008
Our annual meeting celebrated the accomplishments and hours that many of you gave this year. The 100 hour (or nearly 100) accolades go to: Carol Baker, Matt Berberich, David Burrows, Jean Erreca, Burt Howells, Noreen Parks, Landis Morgan, Linda, Smith, Bob Triggs, Jon Eden, Marion Huxtable and Alan Brown. And the 500 hour pins go to Jeffery and Sylvia Hartman. What a crew!

Profile of a supernova!
It is a pleasure to highlight Alan Brown (holding the small dog and the fish trap in the photo) in this month's newsletter! He has demonstrated the persistence and commitment needed for stewardship, and also the innovation to create solutions around water quality issues. First, the persistence. For the entire year, Alan has been trapping juvenile chum in Salmon Creek to help the Conservation district track populations. He travels to Salmon Creek on Sunday, sets the traps and returns on Monday to identify and count the fish. And from the pictures of the creek, he doesn't let a bit of cold weather keep him home.










Now to the innovation part of Alan's year. When Port Hadlock Marina (where Alan resides) didn't have recycling available, Alan created a program and launched it. All of us fellow beach watchers, county residents and water users thank you Alan for your fabulous work.










Toxic algae presentation
On Wednesday, February 11, Greywolf Fly Fish Club will present a program addressing the toxic algae problem in several E. Olympic Peninsula lakes, such as Gibbs, Anderson and Teal Lakes. Speakers include Neil Harrington, Environmental Health. The program will be featured at GWFFC's regular February meeting at the Gardiner Community Club, just off Hwy 101, about a block west of the Wild Birds store. Meeting and program will start at 7:00 pm.

Help NOSC with stream restoration plantings



February 6th, 2009 – Willow Staking
Site Location: Snow Creek, B & D Lilies riparian area
When: Feb. 6th, 2009, 9:00am (meet at the NOSC office) We will be staking willows on site, and will be done by 2:00 pm at the latest!
What to bring: sturdy shoes, water & excitement to get those plants into the ground!!!
February 21st, 2009 – Alder Planting
Site Location: New restoration site at Salmon Estuary, in South Discovery Bay...
When: Feb. 21st 2009, 9:30am (meet at the NOSC office)
What to bring: sturdy shoes, water & those smiling faces!
Please RSVP to Americorps intern Betsy Kain at the NOSC office:
(360) 379-8051 intern@nosc.org

A trip to Honduras?
Carol Baker (class of 08) has information on a tour of of the coral cays and the challenges of the water crisis needs of the area. The tour visits small scale sustainable wataer and sanitation projects as well as coral reefs and mayan ruins. Contact Carol for more information. cbaker@olympus.net

January 2009

Traffic and Watersheds
A Smart Trips workshop is being offered as part of the SR 19/20 corridor planning process. Vicki Steigner of DOT will present the Smart Trips program as pioneered in Whatcom County as a strategy for reducing congestion and increasing safety on Highway 19/20. Ms. Steigner will show how the program has significantly increased ride-sharing, transit use, van-pooling, walking and bicycling in four years. The workshop will take place on January 23 from Noon to 2 p.m. at the Masonic Hall located at Jefferson & Van Buren.Questions? Ask fellow Beach Watcher Marion Huxtable mhuxtable@olympus.net

Bingo for NOSC on Wednesdays.
Wednesdays in January the proceeds from the Bingo games at the Hilltop Tavern are for NOSC. Buy an extra card for $1.00 and help fill the coffers while you have a good time. Jean Erreca said they raised $250 last week! B-I-N-G-O!


Tree planting at Morse Creek
NOSC needs help planting trees. January 23, 1-3pm at 384 Morse Homestead Road, Port Angeles. Bring sturdy shoes, water & excitement to get those plants into the ground!!!
Questions? Need Directions? Please contact Alicia Aguirre at the NOSC office: 379-8051 or stewardship@nosc.org

Sound Waters 2009
Each February, Beach Watchers in Island county offer a "one day university for all". This year the date is Saturday, February 7th in Coupville. It is a Beach Watcher dream for learning about Puget Sound with speakers and workshops on marine, nearshore and environmental education. This year's keynote speaker will be Dr. Mary Ruckelshaus, of NOAA Fisheries, who will speak on "A Sound Future". For more information/registration go to http://www.beachwatchers.wsu.edu/island/soundwaters/


NOSC needs your help with Discovery Bay data.
"This is a good project for people who can’t move a shovel, but like listening to music in a lab and sorting" Intrigued?
To measure the changes in water quality before and after the restoration project, NOAA sent a macro-invertebrate specialist to the site before the restoration. In October, she collected samples from the contaminated tidal channel and another at a control site across the estuary. 40 samples were taken and are now backlogged. NOAA is returning in February to do post sampling. NOSC need help catching up. Here is how you can help. The Port Townsend Marine Science Center has donated their lab and 30 dissecting scopes. Betsy and Owen would love your help. You don't have to like bugs or know how to work a microscope...they'll happily teach you. It would be a magnificantly, insectafabulously experience. Call Owen at NOSC 379-8051.

November and December

Salmon Creek Restoration
November 22nd
The earth movers have left. It's time to plant the site. Congratulations to North Olympic Salmon Coalition on completing one of the largest estuary restoration projects on the peninsula! Helping NOSC with the restoration planting will be a great opportunity to see the extent of the construction and restoration. NOSC has over a thousand plants to put in the ground. You can be part of the return of a natural system to Discovery Bay. RSVP to volunteer@nosc.org or 379-8051.

Flow
November 14th - 20th
WSU Beach Watchers has a table at the Rose Theater this week during the showing of the film FLOW. I would encourage all of you to see this award-winning documentary on the privatization of water. "Water is the sleeping giant issue of the 21st Century and we all need to wake up about it. FLOW opens our eyes about the greatest threat of our time - the global water crisis. It is a compelling and passionate film. Its engaging narrative will grip the viewer." Robert Redford http://www.rosetheatre.com/movies/index.html#Flow



Chimacum Beach Restoration Planting
December 6th and 13th
Help put natives back on the beach! Many of you helped NOSC remove invasives at the mouth of Chimacum creek this summer and fall. Burt Howells has waged a personal battle with those noxious critters! RSVP to volunteer@nosc.org or 379-8051.

Summer Chum Survey
Late summer chum went extinct on Chimacum creek in the late 1980's. With your help and hundreds of volunteers over 20 years, the chum returned. Al Latham, director of the Jefferson County Conservation District compiles the data each year on the summer run. Click on the graph to make it larger and easier to read.



Proposed Protection Island Reserve
Kyle Murphy of the Department of Natural Resources has asked for input from Beach Watchers on the nomination by People for Puget Sound of Protection Island as an aquatic reserve. Protection Island is a state-owned aquatic lands managed by DNR. DNR and People for Puget Sound would like to organize a beach walk within the proposed reserve boundaries to discuss how Beach Watcher volunteers might be involved in the planning, future restoration, monitoring, and research projects for the aquatic reserve, should it be designated as such. The beach walk would take part along the part of the Quimper Peninsula shoreline that is included in the proposed aquatic reserve boundary. If you are interested in attending a beach walk please contact Kyle Murphy, Aquatic Reserves Program Manager: 360-352-2593 or kyle.murphy@dnr.wa.gov.

Puget Sound Partnership
November 17th deadline for input
Puget Sound Partnership is seeking your input on the ambitious Action Agenda to save Puget Sound. The new Action Agenda (link below) identifies some alarming facts and trends related to the health of Puget Sound. A new report on the amount of toxins polluting the Sound is underscoring the urgency of this clean up. “These disturbing numbers are putting more than 40 species in Puget Sound at risk, including the Sound's Orca population, where we just saw a decline of nearly 10 percent in the past several months,” said the Partnership‚s Executive Director David Dicks. The primary sources of toxics to Puget Sound are the day-to-day activities of people, as the population grows and land gets more and more developed. The estimates are based on current knowledge about toxic pollutants from surface runoff, air deposition, wastewater from discharge pipes, direct spills into the water and combined sewer/stormwater overflows only.
http://www.psp.wa.gov/downloads/DRAFT_ACTION_AGENDA_2008/Draft_Action_Agenda.pdf

NOAA Fisheries Ocean Indicator Updates
This amazing site condenses information on biological, regional and geographical indicators of ocean health and cycles. http://www.nwfsc.noaa.gov/research/divisions/fed/oeip/b-latest-updates.cfm

COSEE sponsors free event to learn about current ocean research and effective science communication

Saturday November 22nd
University of Washington Seattle campus 9:00am – 4:30pm
Keynote speaker on communicating science to diverse audiences.
Formal and informal presentations by marine scientists on current ocean research. To learn more or reserve your spot now contact:
Susan Bullerdick 206. 838. 3916 susan@aquariumsociety.org or
Janice Mathisen 206.386.4365 janice.mathisen@seattle.gov
More info on COSEE http://coseeolc.org/

DNR completes removal of Fort Flagler Dock
For those of you that helped with creosote removal at Fort Flagler Dock. Your work is done.