February 2012
In the News
Budget Update
The Northwest Straits Commission recently learned that the Puget Sound Partnership will provide capacity funding for the Commission and seven MRCs that will start July 2012 and run through June 2013. This funding will cover operating expenses and support the infrastructure that's needed to for MRCs to continue to serve as their local community advisory on marine issues. The Commission and MRCs, as well as the Northwest Straits Foundation, will continue to pursue opportunities for project funding. “We’re happy to be working with the Puget Sound Partnership and greatly appreciate this support.” said Ginny Broadhurst, Director of the Northwest Straits Commission.
Sound Waters 2012
Well over 500 people, including Island and Snohomish county MRC members, turned out on a sunny Saturday for the 17th Sound Waters conference. Hosted by the WSU Island County Beach Watchers Program, this "One-Day University” has earned a reputation for drawing experts from numerous disciplines, and natural history buffs of all ages and interests. The conference featured a record 63 classes covering coastal geology to dragonflies, with a terrific keynote presentation delivered by SeaDoc Chief Scientist and Northwest Straits Commissioner Dr. Joseph Gaydos.
Marine Debris Draws Crowd to Clallam MRC
More than 80 people attended the January Clallam MRC meeting in Port Angeles to learn about the marine debris resulting from last year’s terrible earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The debris is already showing up on some of Washington's coastal beaches and much more is expected. Nir Barnea, regional director for NOAA's Marine Debris Program, showed aerial photographs and oceanographic models to explain what’s currently known about this debris and to encourage preparedness. Many agencies and residents showed up to learn about this issue. Click here to read about Barnea’s presentation.
Port Susan Marine Stewardship Area
The Northwest Straits Commission recently received funding to carry out the next phase of conservation planning for the Port Susan Marine Stewardship Area. Project partners representing the Snohomish and Island county MRCs, Washington Sea Grant, Tulalip Tribes, Stillaguamish Tribe, The Nature Conservancy, and WSU Extension of Snohomish and Island counties will develop a monitoring and a work plan for the project.
Northwest Straits Commission Highlights
Farewell to Connie
This month we regretfully say goodbye to Connie Price, our Office Coordinator. Connie came to the Northwest Straits Commission in 2007 and immediately became indispensable, providing administrative and logistical support to the Commission and MRCs. Connie's participation in all Commission meetings and five annual Northwest Straits conferences was invaluable. She will continue state service in her new position at the Washington Department of Transportation. We will miss her greatly, and wish her all the best for the future!
Hello…
Ken Carrasco from Whatcom County and Steve Revella from San Juan County were elected to represent their MRCs on the Commission, beginning this month. The Commission welcomes their wealth of knowledge and dedication. Meetings of the Northwest Straits Commission are generally held monthly and are open to the public. Click here for more information about past and upcoming meetings. At right: Steve Revella
The Commission also extends a warm welcome to Linda Lyshall, who will staff the San Juan MRC. In this position she will also staff the Local Integrating Organization in the San Juan Action Area. Many of us know Linda from her work with Puget Sound Action Team and subsequently the Puget Sound Partnership. She can be reached at lindal@sanjuanco.com.
…and Goodbye
We regretfully say goodbye to Jonathan White from the San Juan MRC and Bob Cecile from the Whatcom MRC, whose terms ended in January, as well as Connie Thoman of the Skagit MRC, who recently resigned from the MRC. Each represented their MRC on the Commission for several years, and Jonathan served as both vice chair and chair of the Commission. We wish you the very best in your next endeavors!
At left: Jonathan White
Northwest Straits Foundation News
Northwest Straits Foundation Welcomes New Staff
The Foundation welcomes Cathy Cameron to its staff this month. Cathy will serve as the Foundation Account Manager, taking over bookkeeping and finance management duties. Cathy is a Certified Public Accountant and comes to the Foundation with over 25 years of accounting and financial management experience with non-profits, industry, and higher education. Cathy will be working part time for the Foundation one morning a week.
Bulletin Board
Feeder Bluff Mapping Request for Proposals
The Department of Ecology has just published an RFP to complete feeder bluff mapping in Puget Sound. Proposals are due March 7 and the work is to be completed by next year. Click here to read the full RFP on Ecology's contracts web page.
GeoHab Conference
Register now for GeoHab, a week-long international conference on Orcas Island that will bring together geologists, biologists and other ocean scientists. Participants will present results of studies associated with seafloor habitats and how they relate to the sustainability of marine life. Deepwater research on forage fish habitats, including studies funded by the Northwest Straits Commission, will be showcased. Click here for more information.
Events
February 25, 2011 - Hazardous Waste Operations Class for Oiled Wildlife Citizen Responders (8-hour HAZWOPER), Everett Community College 8:00am - 5:00pm. Registration required. Click here for more information.
March 7, 2012 - Our Puget Sound In-Depth: Bears to Barnacles; Cool Animals of the Salish Sea. 7:00PM, Mukilteo Rose Hill Center. Contact Chrys Bertolotto, Chrys@wsu.edu or (425) 357-6020, for more information.
March 22, 2012 - Ocean Acidification: An Evening Seminar. 6:00pm, Padilla Bay Reserve. Free and open to the public. RSVP to Caroline Gibson, 360-428-1057 or gibson@nwstraits.org.
April 4 , 2012 - Our Puget Sound In-Depth: Puget Sound Whales. Mukilteo City Hall, 7:00PM. Contact Chrys Bertolotto, Chrys@wsu.edu or (425) 357-6020, for more information.
April 8-13, 2012 - Kelp Workshop, Friday Harbor Labs, led by Dr. Tom Mumford and Dr. Bob Waaland. Click here for registration information.
May 2 , 2012 - Our Puget Sound In-Depth: Inside the New Brightwater Treatment Facility. Mukilteo City Hall, 7:00PM. Contact Chrys Bertolotto, Chrys@wsu.edu or (425) 357-6020, for more information.
Recent Articles
Volunteers gathering mussels not for meals but to gauge health of shoreline waters - Everett Herald
Agencies Urged to Prepare for Influx of debris - Peninsula Daily News
Series of forums “The Coal Hard Truth” to discuss nearby proposed coal plant - Islands' Sounder
Award renamed to honor Jan Holmes - South Whidbey Record
Discovery Bay Trail to be Rerouted Away from Habitat Restoration Effort – Peninsula Daily News
State Senate Honors Kosti - San Juan Islander
The Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative, authorized by Congress, is nationally recognized as an innovative approach to bring sound science and an ecosystem perspective together with citizen energy and entrepreneurship.