Stewardship Connections
San Juan County
Spring/Summer 2009
The Role of Citizen Science and Volunteers in Research, Education and Environmental Protection
The Essential Role of Volunteers
This issue of Stewardship Connections highlights citizen science and the essential role that volunteers play in scientific research, restoration work and environmental education in the San Juan Islands. Much of this valuable work would be impossible without the participation of people from the islands who are passionate, and in many instances also highly trained in appropriate disciplines. READ MORE>
Indian Island Marine Health Observatory
Many people from the Orcas Island community, under the leadership of Kwiaht are studying Indian Island and Fishing Bay to develop answers to all sorts of questions about the local marine and terrestrial environment, and then use that information to help educate islanders about caring for this wonderful and easily accessible spot. READ MORE>
Immersing Feet and Minds in Fishing Bay
A key element in the Indian Island project is getting students involved. Kids and teachers from the Orcas public schools and the Salmonberry school have been helping with not only collecting specimens and data, but also using their findings and experience in the field to develop a deeper understanding of the marine environment. They bring a fresh perspective to the work, and play, of marine biology. READ MORE>
Indian Island: A Beach Watcher Focus on Orcas Island
This spring, much of the focus for Orcas Beach Watchers has been on Indian Island. We took advantage of low tides over Memorial Day weekend to carry out a variety of tasks. Working with Orcas High School’s marine biology class, we conducted two seines in the bay for fish. The bay yielded a high diversity of fish species, including perch, smelt, greenling, flounder, sole and a even few juvenile Chinook. READ MORE>
An In-Depth Look at the San Juan Islands Shoreline
What is along the shoreline here in the San Juans? A ferry rider might answer this by describing the idyllic homes, forested hills, rocky bluffs and sandy beaches. But a scientist will see things differently. READ MORE>
Soundwatch - On the Job on the Water (just a little less this year)
The Soundwatch program is the on-the-water outreach arm of the Whale Museum to educate boaters in the San Juan Marine Stewardship Area about how to enjoy orcas and other marine wildlife without doing harm. And the work couldn’t be done without a cadre of volunteers. READ MORE>
One Woman’s Passion Keeps K.E.L.P. Talking to Kayakers
One volunteer is making a huge difference. Karrie Cooper, an avid kayaker and local guide, is donating her own time and energy to keep the Soundwatch Kayaker Education and Leadership Program (K.E.L.P.) alive. She has committed to holding both formal and informal K.E.L.P. kayaker training sessions at San Juan County Park, training commercial guides and getting the K.E.L.P. Map and Guide into as many recreational and commercial kayaker’s hands as possible. READ MORE>
A Way You Can Help, with Your Dollars and Your Advice
You can help make the San Juans an environmentally sustainable community by joining the new San Juan Community Foundation Environmental Stewardship Fund. The fund, a pooled donor-advised fund, has been established to promote local nonprofit and public organizations and their projects that foster the education and practice of community stewardship of our environmental resources. READ MORE>
Stewardship Connections is a quarterly electronic publication of the San Juan County Marine Resources Committee
Pipefish - at Home in the Eelgrass
The researchers and volunteers are finding and identifying all sorts of creatures in Fishing Bay. Anemones, sea cucumbers, lots of sea stars, sculpins, crabs, chitons, octopi, limpets and more. One of the most interesting is the pipefish, most often camouflaged within eelgrass beds. READ MORE>
San Juan County Marine Resources Committee
135 Rhone Street
P.O. Box 947
Friday Harbor WA 98250
360-370-7592
Fostering Local Students to Become Scientifically Educated Stewards
The goal of the Friday Harbor Labs Science Outreach Program (FHLSOP) is to provide hands-on lab and field experiences that foster students to become scientifically educated stewards of our local marine and freshwater environments. READ MORE>
Contributors of information and photos for this edition of Stewardship Connections
Shann Weston, Ann Harmann, Russel Barsh, Marta Branch, Sheila Gaquin, Marten Jager, Gail Johannes, Mary Knackstedt, Andira Hagstrom, Jeff Hanson, Nick Teague, Tina Whitman, Kari Koski, Karrie Cooper, Jenny Roberts, SJI Community Foundation.
Stewardship Connections is edited by Jeff Hanson
San Juan County MRC
