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Stormwater hydrology data 'heat map' shines a light on pollutants in Washington
Stormwater is the top pollutant harming Puget Sound. Runoff from rains carry detergents, metals, motor oil and vehicle exhaust that collects into waterways and causes harm to endangered salmon and orca. This interactive map can look at an entire watershed to find the locations with the highest pollution levels. To view the full article.
Ebright Creek Fish Passage
Listen in as the City of Sammamish team walks you through this fish passage and stream habitat restoration project on Ebright Creek [minutes 10:00-20:00 in video]. Link to video presentation.
"Save Our Salmon" Mural in Kirkland
Recently, over 160 volunteers helped paint a 112-foot mural on the side of SPUD Fish & Chips near Juanita Creek in Kirkland. The mural project title Save Our Salmon was conceived of, designed, and planned by local teen, Austin Picinich, and focuses on raising awareness around salmon sustainability in Juanita Creek and other North Lake Washington creeks. Read more about the project.
It isn't ALWAYS about fish - Larry Franks
Sometimes it is about their natural environment. To that end, a band of volunteers is renovating the Native Plant Garden at the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery. Volunteers sought climate change resilient plants, since they will face impacts related to climate change in the next couple of decades. Visitors will learn what native species should be expected to thrive in this area, along with traditional uses by Indigenous populations.
Salmon in the news:
Sockeye run: Grim Forecast by Larry Reymann
In response to the Seattle Time article: WA salmon forecasts show promise along with challenges, Larry Reymann commented on the dire status of the Cedar River sockeye run.
Climate change threatening PNW salmon - YouTube video
Here’s an Earth Week story on climate and salmon populations from KCPQ meteorologist/environment reporter Abby Acone. Lots of folks interviewed here, including Duwamish, NOAA and Long Live the Kings representatives.
King County Parks is the largest park system in the nation to earn Salmon-Safe certification
After a rigorous review by environmental nonprofit Salmon-Safe and its independent science team, King County Parks became the largest park system in the country to earn certification.
Follow this life cycle of a Coho salmon in the Russian River basin
Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tags provide researchers with more insight into the migration path taken by an individual coho salmon. The coho was released at 4 inches in 2019 and the animation tracks his migration through to January 2022.
Puget Sound Keeper Salmon Monitoring Report
Since 2015, Puget Soundkeeper has recruited and trained volunteers to conduct salmon surveys on Longfellow Creek in West Seattle. The purpose of these surveys is to track the number of returning Coho salmon spawning in the creek. This fall, Puget Soundkeeper and volunteers surveyed at Longfellow Creek every day starting mid-October into December.
Microplastics found deep underground in United Kingdom waters
Microplastics discovered in groundwater at a depth of 400 ft.
Announcements and events:
Community Action Training School session starts May 17!
This FREE program provides a robust series of classes on important scientific issues including: watershed health, clean water, native plants, salmon habitat/population restoration, and more. The program leads support participants in the design and implementation of stewardship action projects in their own communities. Applications are due Wednesday, 5/4. Classes will run from May to September, with three intermittent, hands-on, field trips and a final citizen scientist led project in your community.
America the Beautiful Challenge to advance conservation and restoration projects nationwide
In mid-April, the White House announced a new $1 billion federal funding program that coordinates conservation funding across multiple federal agencies and will be administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Funding seeks to support locally led ecosystem restoration projects that invest in watershed restoration, resilience, equitable access, workforce development, corridors and connectivity, and collaborative conservation. The Request for Proposals will be issued in early May, proposals will be due by end of July, and funding will be awarded in November of 2022.
Check out the America the Beautiful Challenge program website during the first week of May to learn more about funding opportunities.
Snohomish Marine Resources Committee Announce 2021 Annual Report
The Snohomish County Marine Resources Committee has completed a report highlighting an extensive list of actions to improve the health of our marine ecosystem for local citizens and wildlife who depend on it.
Whale Scout announces paid Diverse Voices Internship program
Whale Scout is hosting three, 8-week internships for students as a part of the Diverse Voices Internship program. The organization is recruiting students of the BIPOC community and those underrepresented in the conservation field. Activities include restoration of riparian habitat and community outreach and education within King County. Field work opportunities and water quality monitoring training provided. Applicants must be at least 17 years old by July 1, 2022. Compensation is $15/hr. Apply by May 16th at http://www.whalescout.org.
Youth ocean advocates take on rain and mud for salmon and orcas
The rain and mud were no match for a tough group of “Youth Ocean Advocates” from the Seattle Aquarium. They joined Whale Scout on a liquid sunshine day to help transform the former Wayne Golf Course into beautiful salmon habitat! As budding marine life experts, these teens were excited to learn about watershed connections. Support for this project is thanks to Bothell Parks & Recreation, NOAA Fisheries, WDFW, and King County Wastewater Treatment Division. Check out a video here.
Stream to Sea theme named to celebrate Orca Action month in June
June is Orca Action Month in the Pacific Northwest! Organized by Orca Network and the Orca Salmon Alliance, the month of June is celebrated with events and activities highlighting the connection between endangered Southern Resident killer whales and the salmon they need to survive. This year’s theme is “Stream to Sea”. Events in WRIA 8 will include a “Helpin’ Out” volunteer salmon habitat restoration and education event at the former Wayne Golf Course in the City of Bothell in partnership with Whale Scout on June 18th. For a full listing of events and activities, visit www.orcamonth.com/event.
Sound Salmon Solutions is hosting a summer camp!
INVEST stands for Implementing Nature’s Values Empowers Stewards of Tomorrow and will have students from 4th to 6th grade diving into the realm of scientific inquiry to complete their own research of freshwater, marsh, and coastal ecosystems.
Renton Stormwater Management Action Plan seeks community feedback
The City of Renton is developing a stormwater management action plan that guides stormwater management policies and actions to protect water bodies from pollution and improve water quality in a selected high-priority basin of Renton’s watersheds. The community is invited to help us select the basin in which to implement the stormwater management action plan. Learn more about the stormwater management action planning process and share your ideas at rentonwa.gov/watersheds.
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