2010 SCEA News
March 2010
Hello and a pleasant Early Spring from the Skagit Conservation Education Alliance.
Late fall and winter has seen the SCEA educational display booth out and about at several events. We’ve shown the “Shellfish Cleaning Water” display at the big December 3rd Clean Samish Open House and again at Storming the Sound in LaConner in late January. We also did Water Quality Voting on two January Saturdays up in Rockport at the Skagit River Bald Eagle Interpretive Center. In February we were at two Stormwater classes and the Youth Earth Summit at Skagit Valley College.
A big event we will attend in May is the Anacortes Waterfront Festival on the 15th and 16th. We can use help in our booth doing Water Quality Demonstrations with adults and kids (we train you!) Let us know if you can help: 2, 3, 4 hr shifts – great fun.
The big multi-agency effort to get the fecal-coliform levels reduced in the Samish River, called the Clean Samish Initiative, continues with a variety of efforts. A Community meeting was held on Dec. 3 at the Allen School in Bow, with lots of information exchanged and some great local foods available. SCEA has received some funding from the Puget Sound Partnership for installing Clean Watershed signs in the Samish Basin – that project is just now starting – we will finish by June. (Like to help? Let us know!)
The 2010 Skagit Watershed Letterbox Trail is in the early planning stages … it should begin in mid-June. Pictures from the fun party we had in early November, to celebrate the end of the 2009 Trail, are on the link called “Letterbox Trail Party”
Our Businesses for Clean Waters program is cranked up for 2010 too. We have held two Construction Stormwater Management Practices workshops and have distributed the first of several e-mail Stormwater/Low Impact Development Information Sharing notices. Contact us if you would like to be on that distribution list. We are planning additional spring workshops – looking at Industrial Stormwater and Boatyards/Marinas as target audiences.
Your ongoing membership and volunteer support Is essential for us to continue our work, and expand it where needed. We’ll be keeping you informed of new volunteer needs and opportunities as 2010 rolls along.
The “Join Us” link on our website has
details about membership donation levels and also general volunteer needs and
opportunities. We request your consideration and support, as much as you are
willing and able.
Thank you.
SCEA Board of Directors
Bill Dewey (Taylor Shellfish Co.) (President), Tonya Bieche (citizen) (Vice-president), Kristi Carpenter (Skagit Conservation District) (Secretary/Treasurer), Rick Haley (Skagit County), Greg Peterka (Skagit PUD #1), Cindy Bjorklund (National Park Service), Anne Middleton (citizen), Steve Olsen (citizen)
SCEA Programs Manager - Pete Haase SCEA Education Activities - Kurt Buchanan
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2009 SCEA News - NovemberHello and a pleasant Fall from the Skagit Conservation Education Alliance. Late summer and early fall has seen the SCEA educational display booth out and about at several events. At Fidalgo Bay Day in September we got lots of people involved in testing water quality – dissolved oxygen, temperature, and turbidity. Amazing what a teeny bit of milk does to the turbidity-level in a cup of coffee! Fish would NOT like milk. At the Family Farm Tour in October we had the aquariums showing how well shellfish can clean up water – always a fun demonstration. There is a big multi-agency effort to get the fecal-coliform levels reduced in the Samish River and it’s tributaries. The project is called the Clean Samish Initiative and SCEA is helping with education and outreach, including displays of the pollution locations and levels. Looks like things are beginning to improve there. Fencing animals away from the river/tributary streams and ditches, collecting and covering manure regularly, and inspecting and fixing failing septic systems are examples of what will continue to help. The 2009 Skagit Watershed Letterbox Trail ended on Oct 31 – another great success with many participants. The “Trail End” party is Thursday Nov 12 from 6pm – 8pm at the Skagit PUD building Aqua Room in Mt. Vernon. Everyone who went looking is invited. Awards, activities, food, fun …… See the Letterbox Trail link for more details. Our Businesses for Clean Waters program has ended for 2009 – several classes about preventing storm-water pollution were held and many businesses attended. “Thank You” recognition appeared in the Skagit Valley Herald in October! We are now planning for the 2010 classes and activities. Your ongoing membership and volunteer support Is essential for us to continue our work, and expand it where needed. We’ll be keeping you informed of new volunteer needs and opportunities as 2009 rolls along and into 2010. The “Join Us” link on our website has details about membership donation levels and also general volunteer needs and opportunities. We request your consideration and support, as much as you are willing and able. Thank You SCEA Board of Directors Steve Olsen (Skagit County) (President), Tonya Bieche (citizen) (Vice-president), Kristi Carpenter (Skagit Conservation District) (Secretary/Treasurer), Bill Dewey (Taylor Shellfish Co.), Rick Haley (Skagit County), Greg Peterka (Skagit PUD #1 alternate), Randy Brower (Skagit PUD #1), Cindy Bjorklund (National Park Service), Anne Middleton (citizen), Brenda Werden (Washington State Department of Natural Resources) SCEA Programs Manager - Pete Haase SCEA Education Activities - Kurt Buchanan
2009 SCEA News - January Hello and a happy WINTER from the Skagit Conservation Education Alliance. The SCEA display was very busy this entire past year. We attended more than 30 community events and activities, beginning with Storming the Sound in January and ending at a Storm water workshop in November. We are expecting another active year in 2009 – the first date is for the Fidalgo Bay Science Symposium on January 21 and we hope to end 2009 with some activity at the Bald Eagle Interpretive Center (in Rockport) in December! Our 2009 goal is to use the opportunities at these events to provide even more education about the importance and care of the great Skagit Watershed. There will be more interactive and hands-on activities and displays, and we will be able to vary them more often. We will see how that goes. The 2008 Skagit Watershed Letterbox Trail started on July 26 and ended in early November with a celebration party at the Padilla Bay facility. Nearly 50 people attended and were fed, entertained, educated, and enjoyed. Many of the partner organizations helped out with the program. About 150 people participated in the 2008 Letterbox Trail and we expect to do it again in 2009 – stay tuned for those details later. By the way, the Letterboxes for PUD #1, Hurn Field, Howard Miller Steelhead Park, and the Marblemount Hatchery are still out for the winter if you have not yet found them. www.scea.homestead.com/ltrbox.html is where the clues are. SCEA partnered with local landowners, citizens, and shellfish growers to place three Honey Bucket portable toilets along the banks of the lower Samish River during September and October when hundreds of fishers go after those wily salmon coming up the river. Helping to keep the river and Samish Bay clean, we were. We have a goal to expand that program in 2009. Our Skagit Businesses for Clean Waters Program had a good 2008.. Two workshops about Low Impact Development were held for many building-related businesses, citizens, and government officials. Two workshops dealing with Construction Storm Water Management were held for construction businesses later in the year. Many organizations partnered with us in these efforts, including EDASC (Economic Development Association of Skagit County), SICBA (Skagit Island County Builders Association), ReSources for Sustainable Communities, and Skagit County. We have received a grant extension to continue this program into 2009, and are planning those activities now. SCEA continues to participate in the Puget Sound Partnership, the mandate from Gov. Gregoire to come up with a new Puget Sound clean-up plan that succeeds by 2020. This initial year is when the big plans and strategies are being formed and our input is most valuable. Bill Dewey (from Taylor Shellfish and a member of our Board of Directors), Steve Sakuma of Sakuma Farms, and Gary Rowe, the County Administrator, are all part of the official team and so we are especially excited and motivated. The Puget Sound Partnership helps sponsor our Skagit Businesses for Clean Waters program. We host a weekly Blog called “NaturalSkagit” at the www.goskagit.com on-line newspaper, aimed at helping county residents get a better idea of the opportunities they have to maintain and enhance the natural beauty and health of our area. Give it a look and see what you think. We’ll appreciate your feedback. SCEA recently added three new members to our Board of Directors. Brenda Werden is with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Adria Banks is with the WSU Beachwatchers, and Anne Middleton is an active citizen volunteer in many conservation –related activities. This new energy along with their great associations with supporting organizations adds a lot of strength to SCEA. Your ongoing membership and volunteer support Is essential for us to continue our work, and expand it where needed. We’ll be keeping you informed of new volunteer needs and opportunities as 2009 rolls along. The “Join Us” link on our website has details about membership donation levels and also general volunteer needs and opportunities. We request your consideration and support, as much as you are willing and able. Thank You
SCEA Board of
Directors
2008 SCEA News October Hello and a happy FALL from the Skagit Conservation Education Alliance. The SCEA display has been busy this summer and early Fall. We were at the Concrete Kids Activity Day in late July. We did a Water Quality contest and had some great participation from kids and adults alike. In August we were at Family Day at Rasar State Park and did water quality measuring demonstrations down on the banks of the Skagit River. We also had a Clean Water display at the Mount Vernon library during August. During the Skagit River Family Fest in early September at Howard Miller Steelhead Park in Rockport we had the two-aquarium shellfish demonstration showing the amazing water-cleanup capabilities of just a few clams and oysters. We did the same demonstration at Fidalgo Bay Day in Anacortes later in September, and water quality measuring as well. We’ll be at Taylor Shellfish Farm for the Family Farm Tour October 4 and 5. The 2008 Skagit Watershed Letterbox Trail started on July 26! We have several partner organizations and each is hosting a “Letterbox” somewhere in the watershed area. Besides having fun on their “Quest”, people who find the boxes learn a great deal about the beautiful Skagit Watershed and their roles in keeping it clean and nice! This adventure will conclude in late October with a celebration and awards party for participants and partners. Our Letterboxes have already been visited from 15 to 50 times, depending on location. Several people have found, and “stamped in” at, all 13 boxes! Board member Denise Dodge recently resigned to move to Switzerland! Good luck Denise, we will miss her enthusiasm and help for sure. New members to fill her vacated position (and that of Harry Ota who resigned earlier this year) are being recruited. SCEA is partnering with local landowners, citizens, and Taylor Shellfish Farm to place three Honey Bucket portable toilets along the banks of the lower Samish River during September and October when hundreds of fishers go after those wily salmon coming up the river. Helping to keep the river and Samish Bay clean. Our Skagit Businesses for Clean Waters Program is moving along. Two workshops about Low Impact Development have been held for many building-related businesses, citizens, and government officials. A workshop dealing with Construction Storm Water Management was held September 19. Participating businesses are sharing ideas and accomplishments in a network newsletter and will be recognized in the media and at a celebration banquet towards the end of 2008. We have received a grant extension to continue this program into 2009, and are planning those activities now. SCEA continues to participate in the Puget Sound Partnership, the mandate from Gov. Gregoire to come up with a new Puget Sound clean-up plan that succeeds by 2020. This initial year is when the big plans and strategies are being formed and our input is most valuable. Bill Dewey (from Taylor Shellfish and a member of our Board of Directors), Steve Sakuma of Sakuma Farms, and Gary Rowe, the County Administrator, are all part of the official team and so we are especially excited and motivated. The Puget Sound Partnership helps sponsor our Skagit Businesses for Clean Waters program. We host a weekly Blog called “NaturalSkagit” at the www.goskagit.com on-line newspaper, aimed at helping county residents get a better idea of the opportunities they have to maintain and enhance the natural beauty and health of our area. Give it a look and see what you think. We’ll appreciate your feedback. Your ongoing membership and volunteer support Is essential for us to continue our work, and expand it where needed. The Board of Directors recently held a planning session where strategic objectives were reaffirmed and enhanced. Some of those are currently unmet and depend on our ability to increase both our funding level and our volunteer base. With your help, we can do this. The “Join Us” link on our website has details about membership donation levels and also volunteer needs and opportunities. We request your consideration and support, as much as you are willing and able. Thank You
SCEA Board of Directors
Steve Olsen (Skagit County) (President), Tonya Bieche (citizen) (Vice-president), Britta Eschete (People For Puget Sound) (Secretary), Kristi Carpenter (Skagit Conservation District) (Treasurer), Bill Dewey (Taylor Shellfish Co.), Rick Haley (Skagit County), Greg Peterka (Skagit PUD #1), Randy Brower (Skagit PUD #1 alternate), Cindy Bjorklund (National Park Service), Chris Barker (citizen)
2008 SCEA News July, 2008 Hello and a happy Summer from the Skagit Conservation Education Alliance. The 6th annual Bivalve Bash was a great success on a beautiful July 19. Nearly 1800 people were there to enjoy the events and food and help celebrate clean waters. A portion of the proceeds helps benefit SCEA programs and activities. A big thanks to all the people who volunteered their time to help on the day of the Bash as well as during set-up and takedown! The Silent Auction at the Bash had nearly 50 generous donors. You can view their names at www.scea.homestead.com/silentauctiondonors.html Hopefully you will take every opportunity you can to do business with them, their generosity helps continue our programs. We also thank the people who placed bids, including the lucky winners! The 2008 Skagit Watershed Letterbox Trail has started on July 26! We have several partner organizations and each is hosting a “Letterbox” somewhere in the watershed area. Besides having fun on their “Quest”, people who find the boxes will learn a great deal about the beautiful Skagit Watershed and their roles in keeping it clean and nice! This adventure will conclude in October with a celebration and awards party for participants and partners. Our Skagit Businesses for Clean Waters Program is moving along. Two workshops about Low Impact Development have been held for many building-related businesses, citizens, and government officials. A workshop dealing with Storm Water Management is being planned, tentatively September 12. That announcement will be out soon. Participating businesses are sharing ideas and accomplishments in a network newsletter and will be recognized in the media and at a celebration banquet towards the end of 2008. We are encouraging benefiting businesses to donate to a Clean Waters Fund that will be matched up to $5,000 by an existing grant! That fund will be used to award Conservation Stewardship Grants, in turn, to organizations who propose worthy community conservation projects and need some financial help, with emphasis on youth oriented groups and projects. Harry Ota recently resigned his position on the SCEA Board of Directors. Harry was one of the founding members of SCEA and has contributed much over the years. We will miss Harry and wish him well in new pursuits. SCEA continues to participate in the Puget Sound Partnership, the mandate from Gov. Gregoire to come up with a new Puget Sound clean-up plan that succeeds by 2020. This initial year is when the big plans and strategies are being formed and our input is most valuable. Bill Dewey (from Taylor Shellfish and a member of our Board of Directors), Steve Sakuma of Sakuma Farms, and Gary Rowe, the County Administrator, are all part of the official team and so we are especially excited and motivated. The Puget Sound Partnership helps sponsor our Skagit Businesses for Clean Waters program. We host a weekly Blog called “NaturalSkagit” at the www.goskagit.com on-line newspaper, aimed at helping county residents get a better idea of the opportunities they have to maintain and enhance the natural beauty and health of our area. Give it a look and see what you think. We’ll appreciate your feedback. Your ongoing membership and volunteer support Is essential for us to continue our work, and expand it where needed. The Board of Directors recently held a planning session where strategic objectives were reaffirmed and enhanced. Some of those are currently unmet and depend on our ability to increase both our funding level and our volunteer base. With your help, we can do this. The “Join Us” link on our website has details about membership donation levels and also volunteer needs and opportunities. We request your consideration and support, as much as you are willing and able. Thank You
SCEA Board of
Directors
SCEA Program Manager
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