Community Science in the time of COVID

Community science volunteers, like North Sound Stewards, help protect the Salish Sea. While 2020 was very different than any other year, North Sound Stewards were still able to fill important data gaps to inform management plans and more! 

The North Sound Stewards partners, Whatcom MRC and RE Sources for Sustainable Communities, recently shared this video highlighting all the amazing work North Sound Stewards did in 2020!

Interested in learning more or signing up to become a North Sound Steward? Learn more at  www.whatcomcountymrc.org.

Community Action with MyCoast

Large marine debris be reported on the MyCoast app. Photo: MyCoast user Shayla Allen

One of the biggest impacts that MRCs have on their counties' natural environment is connecting people to the nearshore environment, and empowering community members to become stewards. One important tool in that effort is MyCoast, which enables community members to share information about local conditions with decision-makers and stakeholders. Beachgoers are able to take photos and submit reports about derelict vessels and large marine debris.

Bowman Bay Storm Event

Bowman Bay looking south from boat ramp toward dock. Photo: Paul Dinnel

The January storm that knocked out power for over 500,000 residents and businesses in Western Washington left its mark on many beaches, including the restored beach at Bowman Bay in Skagit County. Peak water levels reached more than 1 foot above the predicted high tide for the day (known as storm surge), and wind gusts up to 67 miles per hour were recorded, as winds from the West-Northwest drove waves ashore. 

Waves crashed on the beach and overtopped the dunes pushing massive logs up into the beach and leaving nose-tingling deposits of decaying seaweed inland of the walking path. A series of clues written in beach wrack are left for beachgoers to see the reach of the ocean waters during this storm event. Before and after photos of the beach are remarkable. 

The dramatic effects of this storm are a routine function of our dynamic beaches - part of their seasonal changes and longer term shifts that allow the beach to slowly migrate landward and retreat to higher elevations to keep pace with rising sea levels. The Bowman Bay beach restoration project, previously carried out by Northwest Straits Foundation and Skagit MRC, restored these natural processes by removing rock armoring, re-grading the beach to match the natural contour, adding beach material to support forage fish spawning, and planting native vegetation.

Learn more about the Bowman Bay nearshore restoration project here. 

Join the Salish Sea Stewards!

Salish Sea Stewards volunteers conduct forage fish monitoring. Photo: Pete Haase

Northwest Straits Foundation Update- New Board Members

New Board Members Champion the Northwest Straits 

The Northwest Straits Foundation is thrilled to introduce Amy Wilcox and Duane Fagergren as new members of the Northwest Straits Foundation Board! We're excited to have their knowledge and skills contributing to our conservation projects and partnerships in the Salish Sea. Learn more about these additions here.