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Announcements
Field Work with the Marine Resources Committee
Fieldwork is gearing up for the Marine Resource Committee, as they move into the spring session. On March 25th, the Cornet Bay seining team hosted Island County Commissioner Janet St. Clair. It was a fascinating day, learning about how to identify juvenile salmonids and the process of catching and releasing the variety of fish safely. The seining team identified and counted 1 Chinook salmon, 65 Chum salmon, and 869 pink salmon. Small numbers of other fish species were also found, like Pacific staghorn sculpins and strikingly green sculpin.
 Image Credit Kelly Zupich
Cornet Bay Restoration
On April Fool's Day, the Marine Resources Committee, WA State Parks, and the NW Straits Foundation hosted a mulching and planting event at the Cornet Bay restoration site. It turned out to be a calm, beautiful day to work in the soil. Along with some dedicated volunteers, our groups were able to move 20 yards of mulch and soil and planted over 200 shoreline plants! Please check out the new and older plantings if you can get out to Cornet Bay. Starting in June, we will be out there every other week through the summer watering to ensure our new and established plants survive the warm temperatures. If you are interested in being involved in future stewardship events, please email Kelly Zupich, MRC Coordinator, at k.zupich@islandcountywa.gov
 Image Credit Kelly Zupich
May 21st is World Fish Migration Day!
May 21st is World Fish Migration Day! “May 21st 2022, we are globally celebrating opening up rivers and recovering migratory fish populations. Together we have created an enormous movement, connecting hundreds of thousands of people around the world with the same interest: protecting rivers and fish. Join us and take action locally!”
You can read more about World Fish Migration Day at: https://www.worldfishmigrationday.com/
 Image Credit Kelly Zupich Sculpin
Shore Friendly Program
Spring is in the air! You might be enjoying lower daytime tides, longer days, budding plants, and clearer views of the mountains that surround Whidbey and Camano Islands. You might also be noticing signs of winter winds and rains, such as the movement of large logs and rocks on the beach, weathering of shoreline armor, and erosion on bluffs. If you are a shoreline homeowner, you are probably familiar with all of these things. Do you have concerns about keeping your bluff stable or otherwise protecting your property? Do you want to ask questions about drainage, habitat, and shoreline plants? If so, the Shore Friendly program is here to help! The goal of the Island County Shore Friendly project is to promote alternative strategies for shoreline residential properties that provide both the use and enjoyment of the property while promoting and maintaining the nearshore ecosystems for the support of fish and wildlife. Sign up here to request a free technical site visit! You can learn more about the program by visiting here.
The next ILIO Technical Committee meeting will be on Tuesday, May 10th from 1-3pm via Zoom. Please email jennifer.johnson@islandcountywa.gov with any questions.
The ILIO has been participating in the most recent draft updates of the 2022-2026 Action Agenda (AA) can be found here. In coordination with this updated AA, the Island LIO will be updating its own Ecosystem Recovery Plan (2017). The group will be working through a Structured Decision Making process to identify new gaps, barriers, and priorities for the Island LIO.
Be sure to check ILIO's website for upcoming meeting agendas and minutes.
The next MRC meetings will be held May 3rd 3-5pm via Zoom. If you would like to join the meeting contact the Marine Resources Committee Coordinator Kelly Zupich K.Zupich@islandcountywa.gov
Be sure to check MRC's website for upcoming meetings, agendas, and minutes.
The next Salmon Recovery Technical and Citizen Committee (SRTCC) meeting will be held Wednesday, May 18th from 2:00 -4:00 pm via Zoom. For more information please contact Alexandra Plumb, Lead Entity Program Coordinator ac.plumb@islandcountywa.gov
Be sure to check out the Island County Salmon Recovery website (https://www.islandcountywa.gov/Health/DNR/Salmon/Pages/Home.aspx) for upcoming meeting agendas and minutes.
 Image Credit Kelly Zupich
 Image Credit Kelly Zupich
Conservation Futures Fund District 2
Two representatives from District 2 are needed for the Citizen Advisory Board of Conservation Futures Fund. This board evaluates proposals for land acquisition and conservation on a yearly basis. While the decisions for the funding round for 2022 is over, the board plans to meet in the summer and fall to discuss changes to the program and would welcome new board members to join in this discussion. The consideration of new applications for funding will occur next January. For more information on how to become a board member for this advisory group please contact Sarah Ruether, Conservation Future Funds Coordinator at S.Ruether@islandcountywa.gov
Local Business Representative Salmon Recovery Technical & Citizens Committee
Salmon Recovery Technical and Citizens Committee (SRTCC) is looking for a local business representative. Any interested individuals are encouraged to submit an applicant questionnaire to Alexandra Plumb ac.plumb@islandcountywa.gov. If you are interested in learning more about what SRTCC does please click this link.
The applicant questionnaire can be found at: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/Health/DNR/Salmon/Documents/SRTCC%20Applicant%20Questionnaire%202019.pdf
Noxious Weed Control Board
The Noxious Weed Control Board is seeking a representative for the weed board District 1 position. Board members serve as a supervisory board for the Island County noxious weed control coordinator and program. It involves participation in quarterly board meetings, holding an annual public hearing for the adoption of the Island County Noxious weed list, presiding over any enforcement hearings on non-compliant landowners, and making decisions on program workplans and policy. It is a four year term. If you are interested in applying for this board, please contact Seth Luginbill the Program Coordinator at s.luginbill@islandcountywa.gov
Upcoming Education and Volunteer Opportunities
Lone Lake Information Table
Water quality experts from DNR, Clea Barenburg and Sage Ince, will be hosting an information table on Earth Day at Lone Lake. If you have any questions about Lone Lake or water quality please visit their information table this Friday April 22 from 10am to 2pm. If you would like any more information on this event please email Clea Barenburg C.Barenburg@islandcountywa.gov or Sage Ince s.ince@islandcountywa.gov
Whidbey Earth Day Events
Click here to find out more about local earth day events!
Webinar NOAA Fisheries
Science to support estuary restoration and recovery for Chinook salmon in the Snohomish delta. This webinar will be led by Josh Chamberlin, NOAA Fisheries.
Wednesday, April 20th
4pm – 5pm
Zoom Webinar Link
Passcode: 088434, Webinar ID: 868 2338 2324, Dial in: (833) 548-0276
 Earth Day at the Clyde
April 23rd 2022 at 2:30pm
Join us for Earth Day in the Clyde Theater. The Island County Marine Resources Committee and Sound Water Stewards are hosting a cinematic event with the Clyde Theater & Sealife Productions to highlight our efforts to enjoy and preserve the natural beauty around our island and the Salish Sea. If you have any questions about this event please contact Kelly Zupich K.Zupich@islandcountywa.gov
 Image Credit Kelly Zupich
Mulching Event
The Island County Marine Resources Committee and the NW Straits Foundation are hosting a mulching event to continue the great work at the Cornet Bay Restoration site. At Cornet Bay, on the northern tip of Whidbey Island, we worked with several partners to restore almost 1,000 feet of altered shoreline to a more natural condition. Our partners included the Northwest Straits Foundation, Washington State Parks, Island County, Sound Water Stewards, and Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group. This project has helped provide more natural habitats for our marine species that utilize this bay, including juvenile salmonids. We plan to mulch an area with more established plants to help them survive the hot summer temps. We can use as many strong backs, shovels, and wheelbarrows as possible to get this work done. This will be hard but rewarding work. Here are the details if you are interested in getting your hands dirty!
PLEASE RSVP: k.zupich@islandcountywa.gov or 360-678-2349
WHEN: May 11th, 2022 at 10:00 am until finished
WHERE: Cornet Bay near the restrooms
160 Cornet Bay Rd, Oak Harbor, WA 98277
Google Map
WHAT TO BRING: Coffee mug, water bottle, work gloves, shovels and rakes (for spreading moving mulch), weather appropriate clothing, and a nametag (if you have one), WA State Park Discover Pass
WE WILL PROVIDE: Water, coffee, and sweet snacks
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