Spring Shorelines, Native Plants, Beach Walks & Career Day Inspiration

Kitsap County sent this bulletin at 06/09/2025 12:00 PM PDT

As spring gives way to summer, the recent heat giving us an early preview, the Shore Friendly team has been out enjoying the sunshine and occasional rain shower. From native plants and beach walks to classroom inspiration and salmon habitat, here's what we’ve been up to:

Anderson Point Park

A Day at Anderson Point Park

We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day to explore Anderson Point Park! Shore Friendly Kitsap recently hosted a shoreline walk where a small but enthusiastic group joined us to explore a natural beach and learn about the vital connections between upland areas, erosion, sediment movement, and shoreline ecology. One of the top highlights was learning how bulkheads can interrupt natural sediment supply, leaving beaches starved of the materials they need to stay healthy. Participants also enjoyed discussions about native vegetation, invasive species management, and practical tips for making their own shorelines more Shore Friendly—all while soaking in the beauty of Puget Sound!

A Message from Kitsap County's Noxious Weed Program Coordinator

The lush, green growth of Spring is in full swing! Unfortunately, that means invasive and noxious weeds are also on the move. Noxious weeds can be highly destructive to native habitat and often outcompete native flora, making them very difficult to control. Prevention and early detection are the most effective ways to combat noxious weed infestations. Installing native plants in bare or disturbed areas can help prevent noxious weeds from getting started. We recommend familiarizing yourself with common invasives found along shorelines of the Puget Sound, walking your property regularly to monitor for new infestations, and acting quickly when an invasive is spotted. We are currently offering free noxious weed disposal all Kitsap County solid waste facilities as well as Bainbridge Disposal through October 31, or until funds are exhausted.

Some noxious shoreline invaders include:

English ivy
Himalayan blackberry
Knotweeds – Bohemian and Japanese
Perennial pepperweed
Spartina (Common cordgrass) - This is a rare and extremely aggressive Class A noxious weed. Please contact our office if you suspect you might have Spartina.

If you need help identifying a suspected invasive species or would like to discuss control options, please submit an inquiry here or on the Noxious Weed Control Program webpage: kcowa.us/noxiousweeds.

-Jade Jarvis, Noxious Weed Program Coordinator

Over 60 Homeowners Reached Out For Geotechnical Site Assessments!

We had an amazing response to our recent postcard mailer—over 60 shoreline homeowners reached out for a free Shore Friendly site assessment! We’re thrilled by the enthusiasm and are currently working on getting everyone scheduled. Right now, we aren’t offering any more geotechnical site assessments. We only had a limited number to give out because they cost the program money to provide. But don’t worry! You can still sign up for a free general Shore Friendly site visit. These visits are a great way to learn about your shoreline, talk about erosion, and explore natural ways to protect your land and Puget Sound. Click here to schedule your visit

Why Shorelines Matter to Salmon

Salmon are amazing travelers—born in freshwater streams, growing up in the ocean, and returning home to their stream to spawn. But before they head out to sea, young salmon rely on nearshore areas as a safe place to grow, feed, and adjust to saltwater.

In Puget Sound, young salmon use the nearshore the most during spring and summer, especially between and July. Some can still be found in shoreline areas through the fall.

Different salmon species use shorelines in different ways. Some stay for a long time, while others pass through quickly. How they use the shore depends on things like their size, when they were born, and where they came from.

Healthy shorelines help salmon by:

Providing food,
Offering shelter from predators,
Helping them adjust from freshwater to saltwater, and
Guiding them on their way to the ocean.

But when shorelines are damaged—by pollution, buildings, or removing plants—it becomes harder for salmon to survive. That’s why it’s so important to protect and restore these special places.

Sources: Beamer et al., Salmon Use of Nearshore Habitats in Puget Sound (2005)

Juvenile Pacific Salmon in Puget Sound | Encyclopedia of Puget Sound

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife created this graphic to show how natural shorelines in Puget Sound promote a healthy ecosystem which supports fish and orca

Native Plant Spotlight:

Fringecup & Palmate Coltsfoot

Fringecup - Photo taken at Anderson Point Park

This month, two beautiful native plants caught our eye on a forested walk. Both love the cool, damp corners of the Pacific Northwest and quietly playing a role in our ecosystems.

Fringecup (Tellima grandiflora) Fringecup gets its name from its delicate, fringed flowers, which range from greenish white to pink. It thrives in moist, wooded areas and is often found along streambanks or shady forest edges. Not only does it support local pollinators and make a great native groundcover—it’s also deer-resistant!

Palmate Coltsfoot (Petasites palmatus) With its giant, hand-shaped leaves, palmate coltsfoot is easy to spot in wet, low-lying areas. It blooms early in the spring with small white flowers that appear before the leaves. You’ll often see it near seeps, wetlands, and along freshwater streams.

Coltsfoot taken at Anderson Point Park

Can you find these along marine shorelines?

Not quite! While they love moisture, both species typically grow just upslope of marine shorelines—especially where freshwater streams meet bays or estuaries. They prefer the cool, shady, less salty zones. Think of them as part of the plant community that filters runoff and strengthens shoreline buffers just before the beach begins.

Inspiring Future Environmental Stewards at Career Day

We were thrilled to represent Shore Friendly Kitsap and the Environmental Programs team from Kitsap County’s Department of Community Development at Career Day at Cedar Heights Middle School in March!

Our team talked with students about what it’s like to work in environmental careers, the importance of protecting Puget Sound, and how every role—whether you're in the field or behind the scenes—contributes to a healthy environment. It was energizing to see their curiosity and hear thoughtful questions about science, stewardship, and making a difference.

About Shore Friendly Kitsap

Shore Friendly Kitsap is your waterfront partner. We connect waterfront landowners with technical support and resources for bulkhead removal. Whether you are thinking about restoring your shoreline or are actively pursuing a project, we are here to help. To learn more about who we are and how we can help, click here.