Published: Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Learn about Puget Sound, and how to protect it
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CHRIS GOODENOW / Herald file photo
Learn more about our inland sea and the creatures that call it home, like this starfish and kelp crab at Edmonds Marina Beach Park.
With all the cold weather we've had recently, you may not be thinking much about the beach.
But in the Puget Sound region, the beach is always in season, alive with creatures large and small as well as a host of ecological challenges.
Fortunately, now is an ideal time of year to learn all about it, thanks to a variety of local groups offering free lectures and almost-free training.
How deep you delve into the treasured natural resources of our local waters is up to you.
Here are three ways to get involved and learn more. All of them start this week and continue into spring and beyond.
Learn from experts
What: "Explore Puget Sound In Depth" is a monthly lecture series by the Washington State University Snohomish County Extension Beach Watchers and the city of Mukilteo. It's free, and you don't even have to register. Just show up to the sessions you want to attend and bring a friend.
When and where: Wednesday is the first lecture of the series from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Mukilteo City Hall, 11930 Cyrus Way.
Stacy Smith, a low-impact development specialist with the Snohomish Conservation District, will talk about "Rain Gardens 101: A Tool for Managing Water on Your Property."
Rain gardens are shallow depressions planted with native plants and grasses. If installed near a runoff source such as a downspout or driveway, they can capture rainwater and allow it to soak slowly into in the ground.
Future series dates:
April 6: "Seaweed: Not Just for Sushi" with Gretchen Frankenstein, a seaweed expert.
May 4: "The Crabs and Crabbing in Port Gardner and Port Susan" with Jeff June with Natural Resources Consultants, and Don Velasquez with the Washington state Department of Fish & Wildlife.
June 1: "Around the Americas: Ocean Tales from a Boat Voyage" by Washington-based Capt. Mark Schrader, who sailed 25,000 miles around the American continents with the mission of inspiring citizens to protect the oceans.
Sept. 7: "The Salish Sea" with Chrys Bertolotto, Beach Watchers coordinator.
Cost: Free.
Information: See www.beachwatchers.wsu.edu/snohomish for updates or call 425-357-6020.
Become a Beach Watcher
What: If you want to take your knowledge of and interaction with local waters to the next level, now is the time to sign up for the 2011 Beach Watcher training with the WSU Snohomish County Extension.
Beach Watchers learn how to protect local coastal environments through education, research and restoration.
Trainees receive 100 hours of university-quality training, including expert presentations, field trips and hands-on practice. In return for 100 hours of training, Beach Watchers pledge to volunteer 100 hours during the next two years on a variety Puget Sound projects.
When, where: Hurry. Applications are due March 8. Training sessions are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays March 22 to May 6 with a home base of Jennings Park, 6915 Armar Road, Marysville.
Cost: Materials fees are $30.
Information: Go to www.beachwatchers.wsu.edu/snohomish (click on "training") for an application or contact Chrys Bertolotto at chrys@wsu.edu or 425-357-6020.
Train with People For Puget Sound
What: People for Puget Sound, a nonprofit group, is sponsoring a free series to train volunteers who are committed to maintaining and restoring shoreline habitat in Snohomish County.
Topics will include shoreline ecology, native plant identification, invasive plant control techniques, monitoring protocols and volunteer management.
In return for 16 hours of training, trainees pledge to commit to 40 volunteer hours over the next year on a People for Puget Sound restoration site in Snohomish County, such as Jetty Island and Union Slough in Everett, Picnic Point in Mukilteo or Edmonds Marsh and Willow Creek Hatchery in Edmonds.
When, where: Class sessions will be 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday and March 10 at the Port of Everett administration building, 2911 Bond St., Everett.
Field session options include 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday or March 12. Participants must attend both classroom sessions and one field session.
Cost: Free.
Sign up: Contact Gail Lassman at register@pugetsound.org.
Information: See pugetsound.org for more about the group. Contact Beatriz Tavora at 206-382-7007, ext. 186 or btavora@pugetsound.org with questions.
Sarah Jackson: 425-339-3037, sjackson@heraldnet.com.
But in the Puget Sound region, the beach is always in season, alive with creatures large and small as well as a host of ecological challenges.
Fortunately, now is an ideal time of year to learn all about it, thanks to a variety of local groups offering free lectures and almost-free training.
How deep you delve into the treasured natural resources of our local waters is up to you.
Here are three ways to get involved and learn more. All of them start this week and continue into spring and beyond.
Learn from experts
What: "Explore Puget Sound In Depth" is a monthly lecture series by the Washington State University Snohomish County Extension Beach Watchers and the city of Mukilteo. It's free, and you don't even have to register. Just show up to the sessions you want to attend and bring a friend.
When and where: Wednesday is the first lecture of the series from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Mukilteo City Hall, 11930 Cyrus Way.
Stacy Smith, a low-impact development specialist with the Snohomish Conservation District, will talk about "Rain Gardens 101: A Tool for Managing Water on Your Property."
Rain gardens are shallow depressions planted with native plants and grasses. If installed near a runoff source such as a downspout or driveway, they can capture rainwater and allow it to soak slowly into in the ground.
Future series dates:
April 6: "Seaweed: Not Just for Sushi" with Gretchen Frankenstein, a seaweed expert.
May 4: "The Crabs and Crabbing in Port Gardner and Port Susan" with Jeff June with Natural Resources Consultants, and Don Velasquez with the Washington state Department of Fish & Wildlife.
June 1: "Around the Americas: Ocean Tales from a Boat Voyage" by Washington-based Capt. Mark Schrader, who sailed 25,000 miles around the American continents with the mission of inspiring citizens to protect the oceans.
Sept. 7: "The Salish Sea" with Chrys Bertolotto, Beach Watchers coordinator.
Cost: Free.
Information: See www.beachwatchers.wsu.edu/snohomish for updates or call 425-357-6020.
Become a Beach Watcher
What: If you want to take your knowledge of and interaction with local waters to the next level, now is the time to sign up for the 2011 Beach Watcher training with the WSU Snohomish County Extension.
Beach Watchers learn how to protect local coastal environments through education, research and restoration.
Trainees receive 100 hours of university-quality training, including expert presentations, field trips and hands-on practice. In return for 100 hours of training, Beach Watchers pledge to volunteer 100 hours during the next two years on a variety Puget Sound projects.
When, where: Hurry. Applications are due March 8. Training sessions are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays March 22 to May 6 with a home base of Jennings Park, 6915 Armar Road, Marysville.
Cost: Materials fees are $30.
Information: Go to www.beachwatchers.wsu.edu/snohomish (click on "training") for an application or contact Chrys Bertolotto at chrys@wsu.edu or 425-357-6020.
Train with People For Puget Sound
What: People for Puget Sound, a nonprofit group, is sponsoring a free series to train volunteers who are committed to maintaining and restoring shoreline habitat in Snohomish County.
Topics will include shoreline ecology, native plant identification, invasive plant control techniques, monitoring protocols and volunteer management.
In return for 16 hours of training, trainees pledge to commit to 40 volunteer hours over the next year on a People for Puget Sound restoration site in Snohomish County, such as Jetty Island and Union Slough in Everett, Picnic Point in Mukilteo or Edmonds Marsh and Willow Creek Hatchery in Edmonds.
When, where: Class sessions will be 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday and March 10 at the Port of Everett administration building, 2911 Bond St., Everett.
Field session options include 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday or March 12. Participants must attend both classroom sessions and one field session.
Cost: Free.
Sign up: Contact Gail Lassman at register@pugetsound.org.
Information: See pugetsound.org for more about the group. Contact Beatriz Tavora at 206-382-7007, ext. 186 or btavora@pugetsound.org with questions.
Sarah Jackson: 425-339-3037, sjackson@heraldnet.com.
Story tags »
• Environmental Issues • Natural resources • Nature • Wildlife Habitat • Admiralty Inlet • Port Susan • Possession Sound • Puget Sound • VolunteerComments
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