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Puget Sound Kelp Conservation and Recovery Plan is ready for action
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We envision revitalized Puget Sound kelp forests stretching from Olympia to Vancouver, B.C. providing economic, recreational, and ecological benefits to all living things that call these shores and waters home. This vision statement comes from the the Puget Sound Kelp Conservation and Recovery Plan, known as the Kelp Plan, published this month by the Northwest Straits Initiative and prepared with NOAA Fisheries, WA Department of Natural Resources, and several marine conservation non-profits.
"Washington's economy, ecology and culture depends on a healthy Puget Sound, and Puget Sound depends on healthy beds of kelp," said Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz. "We are at a critical point in protecting kelp, and I'm proud to be a part of this broad plan for protecting and restoring it."
The Kelp Plan provides a research and management framework for coordinated action to improve understanding of kelp forest population changes and declines, while also working to implement and strengthen recovery and protective measures. "This plan puts all the pieces together," says Tom Mumford, member of the Northwest Straits Commission’s Science Advisory Committee and co-author of the Kelp Plan. "From science to restoration to policy, all groups that have a stake in healthy kelp in Puget Sound have had input into this plan and have created a blueprint for moving forward together."
This Kelp Plan has been over three years in the making with collaboration and input from a broad community of researchers, managers, tribes, MRCs, and many more. We are extremely grateful for the partnerships and enthusiasm that went into its development.
The Kelp Plan gets us closer to reaching our shared vision. Read the Kelp Plan here: https://nwstraits.org/our-work/kelp/
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Cover slide from the 2019 Annual Report.
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This month we're excited to share our 2019 annual report, in which we showcase recent community-led actions that result in positive impacts to Puget Sound. Organized around four categories - conservation and restoration, monitoring, education, and advisory - this report is part of our collective story, which is made possible through the dedicated network of volunteers, staff, and partners.
Please explore this online report to see selected highlights from the seven Marine Resources Committees, and follow embedded links to dig deeper into their projects and priorities. We've also featured regional projects that involve multiple MRCs and other partners.
Click here to read the report.
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Tackling an Alien Invasion
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A European green crab found in Whatcom County. Photo: Austin Rose
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Invasive European green crab are voracious predators that decimate shellfish populations and destroy eelgrass habitats. A newly-found invasion in Drayton Harbor near Blaine, WA has now become the largest hot spot in the Salish Sea for these invasive crabs. Nearly 80 green crabs have been captured in less than four weeks of trapping efforts. We have been working closely with WA Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington Sea Grant and many other organizations to determine the best course of action.
Already, we are seeing our community stepping up to tackle this issue. The Whatcom MRC has created an ad hoc committee on green crab removal and the Puget Sound Corps crew attended a virtual training on trapping procedures specific to Drayton Harbor.
If you think you’ve found a green crab, leave it in place and report it to the WSG Crab Team at https://wsg.washington.edu/crabteam/greencrab/report/.
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June Symposiums: Clallam and Snohomish MRCs
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Christina Hersum taking inventory of pilings in Snohomish River Estuary. Photo: Elisa Dawson
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"Make a plan, and be ready to change it." - Jeff Ward, Clallam MRC.
Sensible advice to keep in mind when planning advisory meetings with county officials, and 2020 in general. This wisdom and more was shared in our two June MRC Virtual Symposiums featuring Clallam and Snohomish MRCs.
In early June, Clallam MRC shared why and how they are working to engage with their County Commissioners on issues of concern, like climate change. Members of the Clallam MRC Climate Change Subcommittee and former county officials, Mike Doherty and Tom Cowan, shared experiences and lessons learned on the power and importance of the MRC advisory role to county government.
Later in June, Snohomish MRC shared project details on the delicate balance of creek restoration and stream processes in a narrow gully at Pigeon Creek No. 2, which runs into the Sound at Howarth Park. Building on work to identify creosote using the MyCoast app, Snohomish MRC is also in the process of identifying the 10,000+ pilings in the Snohomish River Estuary and creating a framework to prioritize removal and conducting landowner engagement.
Keep track of what Clallam MRC and Snohomish MRC are up to by visiting their websites: https://www.clallamcountymrc.org/ and https://www.snocomrc.org/.
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Calling all young artists!
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Artwork by "Discover our Island Shores" art and essay contest winner, Inari. Artwork depicts Inari's imagined creature, a "coyphin."
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Looking for a creative outlet for your kids? Island MRC and Sound Water Stewards have partnered to host an art contest this summer! Students in Island County entering grades 2-7 in the fall are invited to submit original artwork depicting a Salish Sea animal of their own design. Students will also be asked to name their newly-designed species.
Read more and find out how to submit your artwork. The due date is Friday, July 17, 2020.
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Update from the Northwest Straits Foundation
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The Virtual Crabbing Workshop included demonstrations from WDFW biologist Ed Valasquez on how to properly rig a crab pot. Photo: Screenshot from workshop recording
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On June 25, in partnership with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), the Northwest Straits Foundation hosted a wildly successful Virtual Crabbing Workshop. The webinar had over 250 attendees. Participants learned how to properly crab for Dungeness crab. Don Velasquez and Daniel Sund, crustacean biologists from WDFW, presented at the webinar.
In case you missed it, the Northwest Straits Foundation recorded the entire workshop and it's available for your viewing on their YouTube page. Click here to access the Virtual Crabbing Workshop.
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