MRC Members in the Spotlight
Clallam MRC: Ed Bowlby, Lyn Muench, Andrew Shogren
Island MRC: Hi Bronson, Sarah Haynes
Jefferson MRC: Anne Murphy, Tony Petrillo, Judy Surber, Al Bergstein
San Juan MRC: Steve Revella, Jim Slocomb, Jonathan White
Skagit MRC: Ivar Dolph, Polly Fischer, Erica Pickett, Connie Thoman
Snohomish MRC: Jerry Masters, Lincoln Loehr
Whatcom MRC: Ron Akeson, Bob Cecile
Click here for an archive of former MRC members who were featured.
Al Bergstein, Jefferson MRC
Jefferson MRC member Al Bergstein’s interest in environmental issues goes back to the 1970s when he volunteered as a publicity director for Seattle Audubon. His career path spanned computer sales - back when personal computing was a fledgling industry - into work on the technical side that included twelve years with Microsoft. But this self-described “geek” didn’t limit himself to the technical world: he’s one of those rare people who understands what’s under the hood of computers while also having an artistic and social side.
Al was an actor and DJ in his early years, followed by photography, a decade of extensive sailing the Puget Sound region, filmmaking and music. A serious amateur musician (check him out in the quartet at our 2010 MRC Conference!), he enjoys playing Brazilian music and jazz, and serves on the board of Centrum in Port Townsend. He’s an avid filmmaker, and has acquired the skills and equipment to create high quality projects, such as the Voices of the Strait production that documents life on the Strait of Juan de Fuca over the last 80 years.
Inspired in part by the Dalco Passage oil spill in 2005, Al looked around for ways to get involved with environmental issues again. He joined the board of People For Puget Sound, where he continues to serve, and started an environmental news web site for the Olympic Peninsula. Al also participates on the board of the Puget Sound Partnership’s Strait Ecosystem Recovery Network and in their Education, Communication and Outreach Network.
All this might be enough for some, but Al also joined the Jefferson MRC early last year. He appreciates the perspectives of fellow members and the opportunity to educate other audiences around important issues using tools like youtube.com, and to take on projects that wouldn’t otherwise get done. And he appreciates the “intense discussions” that lead to better understanding and improved policies around marine issues. Most importantly, Al recognizes that everyone is participating because they care and want to do the right thing.
Connie Thoman, Skagit MRC
Connie Thoman joined the MRC in 2006, representing the Port of Anacortes where she’s an environmental administrator. One of the most important messages she carries forward as an industry representative to the MRC is that most industries are interested in protecting and improving the health of Puget Sound. It benefits them to learn the science behind many of the regulations they have to comply with, and Connie has found a satisfying niche in helping the Port do so.
The MRC partnership with the Port of Anacortes has also resulted in a highly-successful project that restored a 300-foot pocket beach, created a low impact development site, installed artwork and interpretive signage, and created a public access point in a manufacturing area of downtown Anacortes.
While Connie enjoys her day job, she is looking forward to retirement someday. Many people do, but she’s not interested in the leisure time. She looks forward to putting more of her energy into volunteer work, such as the Skagit MRC.
A local Northwesterner, Connie was raised in Portland, Oregon. Her father’s passion for the outdoors resulted in frequent family trips to the forests and beaches of Washington and Oregon. Her studies in college included a lot of science, including a memorable summer studying marine biology at the University of Oregon. One morning after sleeping on the beach, she woke to see orcas just offshore in the waves. Despite a great love for marine biology, she ended up as an environmental planner. The MRC is an opportunity for her to continue learning about the Puget Sound marine ecosystem.
Connie still spends a lot of time near the water – cycling, hiking, walking and birdwatching. She has settled down near one of the most scenic locations in the state, in the Dewey Beach area near Deception Pass State Park.
Lincoln Loehr, Snohomish MRC
A conversation with Lincoln Loehr of the Snohomish MRC is like a personalized history lesson on Puget Sound wastewater treatment – a fascinating glimpse at how we ended up where we are today. Though he was raised in the Los Angeles area, Lincoln knew from an early age that he wanted to study oceanography, and trained at the University of Washington.
After spending time in the Navy working on submarines, he returned to this area just after the passing of the federal Clean Water Act in the 1970's. He commissioned many of the studies that were used to apply for waivers from secondary treatment of wastewater. Implementation of the Act became a messy process, and along the way Lincoln learned a lot about focusing efforts to gain the biggest bang for the buck. He’s able to maintain a sense of humor about it, writing “regulatory satire” in his spare time.
Lincoln has found an important niche working in a law firm as an environmental compliance analyst, and he regularly reviews and comments on state agency regulatory documents related to water quality. He served on the first Science Advisory Panel to assess the impact of cruise ship wastewater in Alaska, along with former Snohomish MRC member Alan Mearns of NOAA. When Alan completed his term on the MRC, Lincoln was appointed to fill the seat, maintaining an important scientific support role in the group.
Lincoln’s mind is constantly collecting, questioning, and analyzing - studying trends in the Mussel Watch program water quality data, even counting and identifying birds on his daily train commute.
An enthusiastic kayaker and photographer, Lincoln has developed a keen interest in photographing birds. He’s also passionate about not spending funds frivolously to solve 'non-problems', and maintains a high level of skepticism until he’s convinced by supporting data. He’s heartened by the work that the MRC does, and believes it has the structural integrity to remain a durable institution over time.
Sarah Haynes, Island MRC
It’s clear within the first few minutes of meeting Island MRC member Sarah Haynes that she is not from around here. Her Texas roots are evident in the accent she carries, even though she relocated almost 25 years ago to escape the Dallas heat. A cooler climate and top-notch medical school were the key criteria, and Seattle, with the UW Medical Center, qualified.
Until moving to Camano Island a few years ago, Sarah had always lived closer to mountains than the water. But that hasn’t prevented her from considering marine waters a part of the ecosystem she lives in; in her mind, the connections are clear and inseparable. The small horse farm she keeps is far from Puget Sound, but she has gone to great lengths to be sure it doesn’t impact that system.
As one of Island MRC’s newest members, Sarah’s interest in climate change led her from a local class to a connection with the MRC through a colleague. With the diverse background and perspectives that each member brings, she has found a niche for herself among them. She’s inspired by the intelligence around the table, the ability to work together despite sometimes competing interests, and the camaraderie of the group.
Not every MRC has a nuclear physicist among its ranks, so Sarah brings a unique combination of skills to the group. As a scientist trained to view things from a planetary to a micro scale, her approach to marine issues begins with rigorous inquiry. Translating that thought process can be challenging, but with her experience as an international lecturer and trainer on cutting-edge radiology technology, she’s found ways to use analogies and examples to great effect.
Sarah has jumped in with both feet (and her white lab coat) on projects for the Island MRC, such as the Port Susan Marine Stewardship Area and Cornet Bay Restoration, and has already identified issues and projects for future work. To the benefit of the MRC and the Northwest Straits, she’s not afraid to look at the potential for new technology to help us solve the problems we face in the marine environment.
Andrew Shogren, Clallam MRC
Andrew Shogren knows that the skies over Sequim are sunnier than other areas of western Washington, which is why he and his family chose this location after a decade in sunny San Diego. Born and raised in the Shoreline area of north Seattle, he stayed close to home and earned a law degree at the University of Washington before moving south to California.
After returning to Washington, Andrew joined the MRC at the request of one of the Clallam County Commissioners. Having a keen interest in the environment, and shorelines in particular, the MRC has been a great fit and an outstanding opportunity to learn. Andrew’s now in his second year as chair of the group, a role he is happy to serve in. He understands the importance of hearing all sides of an issue, and finds his facilitation skills useful to keep discussions moving forward.
Some of the successes he has seen include work with the local Feiro Marine Life Center, where the MRC has been able to leverage support to get local kids learning about the beach; and the MRC’s involvement in the Elwha Nearshore Consortium, which is working to understand and promote nearshore restoration associated with the upcoming Elwha dam removals.
Life is good in Sequim, where Andrew “dabbles” in politics and focuses much of his time on his family, while raising farm animals such as chickens, sheep and goats. The high energy beaches and open water of the Clallam shorelines create a much different environment than the more protected inland areas of the Northwest Straits. Nevertheless Andrew enjoys spending time along the water's edge, and even ventures out sailing some weekends.
Bob Cecile, Whatcom MRC
As with our MRC volunteer highlighted last month, Bob Cecile’s upbringing was punctuated by the relocations of a military family. He spent a lot of time in Ohio though, long enough to attend Ohio State University and earn a degree in engineering. He launched his career in Ohio as well, working as an elected civil engineer and as a volunteer member of the community’s solid waste committee.
Bob was drawn to the northwest by the mountains and the water, and he takes advantage of both. A cross-country skier and avid boater, Bob takes his boats out whenever he has a chance, heading to some of his favorite locations in neighboring San Juan County, such as Prevost and Stuart islands, and up into British Columbia waters.
Coming from a family dedicated to community service, Bob sought a way to get involved locally and found a good fit with the Whatcom MRC. Since joining the group in 2003, he has been impressed by how much knowledge is around the table, and has discovered that it is a great way to learn about marine issues. He appreciates being part of an effort to improve the marine environment.
Bob also represents the Whatcom MRC on the Northwest Straits Commission, having previously served as an alternate. From there he found that he’s able to get a better view of what the other MRCs are working on. His hope is that the combined efforts of the Northwest Straits Commission, the seven Marine Resources Committees and other organizations can collectively create a huge success story for the Salish Sea.
Steve Revella, San Juan MRC
A lifelong fisherman, Steve Revella had to learn a whole new way to fish when he settled in the San Juans ten years ago. Familiar with lakes and rivers, saltwater fishing was a new experience. Now he’s a member of the Puget Sound Anglers and the San Juan MRC, to which he was recently elected chair.
Born in California, Steve has spent a lifetime traveling the world – first as a child in a military family and then as a management consultant working with international companies. Although he’s recently retired, he still spends time in Asia when he can and travels to visit grandchildren in Arizona. He and his wife agreed that that the top criterion for a place to settle in retirement was that it be near the water – after just a few days visiting the islands they purchased a lot and were ready to build.
Listening and collaborating are skills Steve has needed for his participation on the MRC, and he’s particularly impressed with their work to inform and respond to NOAA’s proposed vessel rule to protect killer whales. (See the MRC's recommendations)
While on the MRC, Steve has also worked with fishermen to gain support for a ban on fishing for rockfish, and worked with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to hold a series of seminars about the state’s crab fishery that led to increased understanding on both sides.
What keeps Steve energized are the people involved. While politicians may sometimes be disgruntled with so much citizen involvement, he knows that the work of the MRC is relevant and the issues important to the future of the marine ecosystem.
Ivar Dolph, Skagit MRC
Ivar (pronounced with a long e sound – EE-var, not EYE-var) first came to the Puget Sound area as part of a fellowship at Friday Harbor Labs in the summer of 1963. That trip sparked a lifelong interest in all things marine, though it wasn’t until his retirement from his teaching at Yakima Valley College and farming that he and his wife Phyllis moved to Anacortes to live near the water.
Ivar lives by the philosophy that he should contribute in ways that he can, and that one is never too old to do so. As he kicked around looking for meaningful ways to use his time, he had the good fortune to meet fellow MRC member Paul Dinnel, who encouraged him to join the Padilla Bay Foundation and the MRC. Ivar also participates in the local chapter of the Audubon Society, and is a Beach Watcher volunteer and instructor. In each case, he has not only contributed a significant amount of time, but has served in leadership roles, as Audubon chapter president and MRC representative to the Northwest Straits Commission.
One of the aspects of working with the MRC that has been most impressive to him is the consensus-based approach. He’s astounded that in the ten years he has participated, the MRC has been able to consider the interests of all members and still make decisions unanimously.
Skagit MRC is known for its “boots in the mud” enthusiasm and member involvement in projects. Ivar provides a clear example of that approach: he has worked on a range of projects, including a three year pigeon guillemot survey (with a total cost of just $800), leading public meetings on rockfish reserves, walking local beaches as part of their Rapid Shoreline Inventory, coordinating volunteers and serving as one in documenting forage fish spawning beaches, counting and measuring oysters and editing the MRC’s report to the community.
Ivar makes an effort to get on the water often, rowing twice each week and sailing his boat when he can. He and his wife enjoy traveling, and his photography skills are put to use on his trips around the globe - Norway, Africa, Sweden, and the Galapagos Islands are recent destinations.
Tony Petrillo, Jefferson MRC
As Tony Petrillo says, “everyone is a neighbor in Port Townsend”, so the fact that a neighbor lured him in to join the local MRC is no surprise. Joining the group was something of a stretch for him, though, since the groups he’s used to working with are groups of musicians and not committees. A solo consultant in the ocean engineering business, he works on plenty of ocean issues, but this was a learning experience in community participation….a way to, as he puts it, “develop connective tissue in the community”.
Not one to jump in just part way, Tony’s role on the MRC soon developed into representing the group on the Northwest Straits Commission and from there he was encouraged to join the Commission’s Technical Committee. You may wonder when he finds time now to do anything but this volunteer work, but remarkably he does a lot of other work and play.
As an engineer, he’s energized by the work he does – setting up seabed mapping projects, laying and repairing submarine cable – because it’s fun for the brain and gets him out on the water. Years ago he turned down a job doing satellite oceanography, recognizing that he’d rather be on a boat than behind a computer. Now he finds that the work he does often puts him behind a computer while on a boat, a happy medium.
In addition to his consulting business, Tony spends his time playing jazz as a vocalist and guitarist. Though his only formal music training was just 52 guitar lessons he took many years ago in Seattle, with copious notes and a lot of practice, he has taken the bits of knowledge and developed them over time to become an accomplished musician.
Tony has an ambitious perspective on the MRC and Northwest Straits Initiative: his goal is to see us finish the job of restoring Puget Sound so that it is done and we’re all out of business. With volunteers like him, somehow it does seem possible.
Jerry Masters, Snohomish MRC
To Jerry Masters, participating in the MRC is like traveling the world without leaving home: he’s able to expand his world and see his place within it from a different perspective. An online oceanography class at Bellevue Community College inspired him to look into local volunteer opportunities. Coincidentally, it was around the same time that an opening was announced for a representative of economic interests on the Snohomish MRC.
Raised on the Skagit River delta on a dairy farm, Jerry attended La Conner high school and headed to Stanford University with interests in art history and literature. Life took him on a different path, and after marriage and two kids he moved back to the Northwest, where he’s the general manager for a building supply company. During his time on the MRC, he’s come to better understand the importance of some of the products he sells which help reduce the impact construction has on local streams and Puget Sound. He is already looking toward the future and how his business can evolve and succeed as building practices become more sustainable.
Elected chair shortly after joining the Snohomish MRC, Jerry has now served two years. He describes the learning curve as being like “drinking from a fire hose”, but recognizes that it isn’t necessary to have all the answers in order to keep moving forward. Under his leadership, the MRC has taken on a lot of projects, and he’s particularly enthusiastic about the work the MRC is doing at Kayak Point County Park. The MRC has been the catalyst in bringing together volunteer groups, county departments and other partners toward making sustainable improvements to the shoreline. The interagency connections make this a great example of the strength of a citizen group such as the MRC.
Some of Jerry’s best memories involve the simple enjoyment of living near Puget Sound – as a kid catching kings on the Skagit, or with his own kids enjoying a basket of Ivar’s fish and chips while watching the sunset at Mukilteo’s Lighthouse Park. He’s hopeful that the MRC will continue to “tell the story” so that decision-makers make Puget Sound a high priority.
Lyn Muench, Clallam MRC
Lyn Muench of the Clallam MRC came to the Olympic Peninsula by way of Bangladesh and nearly twenty years of living overseas in Africa and Asia. An article in the New York Times about the “blue hole” of clear skies over Sequim and a job starting an aquaculture business for the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe brought her here with her husband and daughters.
Fifteen years later, when the MRC was formed in Clallam County, Lyn was eager to occupy the seat held for the Tribe. As the only person in the three-member Natural Resources department who lived in Clallam County, she won out and has been on the MRC ever since. She appreciates the focus on saltwater that the MRC has, and is proud of the work the MRC has done. With good support from the County Commissioners, the work of the MRC has made progress in monitoring beaches for Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning, providing internships for Peninsula College students, understanding and promoting nearshore restoration associated with the Elwha Dam removal by convening an Elwha Nearshore Consortium. Clallam MRC was also the first to push for derelict fishing gear removal, which has led to the Sound-wide program the Northwest Straits Foundation is now engaged in.
Lyn herself has been most involved in public outreach for the MRC, and uses her knowledge of water quality issues to spread the word about the importance of keeping septic systems operating properly, picking up after pets, and managing stormwater runoff. Even though she has recently retired from her position with Jamestown S’Klallam, Lyn still makes great use of her expertise as a volunteer with the MRC and at the Dungeness River Audubon Center. At the recent Dungeness Festival held in Sequim, Lyn spent two days introducing water quality concepts into conversations over the live tanks filled with clams and geoducks.
Lyn has remained busy in her retirement, and is a frequent traveler to destinations near and far. When she’s close to home, she enjoys the luxury of walking on Dungeness Spit, some of the best beach walking in the world.
Jonathan White, San Juan MRC
Jonathan White is a builder by trade, writer by calling, and member of the San Juan County Marine Resources Committee and the Northwest Straits Commission, among other things. He came to the Northwest from California as a teenager and immediately felt drawn to the area. Following adventures in the Caribbean and stints in other areas of the United States, he returned to start a non-profit boat-based education institute in the early 1980s. That experience gave him skills that have served him well over the years. The MRC and Commission have benefitted from his experience working with boards, fundraising and managing programs.
Jonathan’s work building custom homes keeps him geographically focused, but he’s a big-picture person at heart. His recognition that problems in the marine waters took many years to create motivated him to join the MRC in order to be part of solving those problems. While he says the learning curve has been “steep”, he enjoys the ongoing education and has found meaningful ways to contribute. He joined the MRC in the midst of developing the Marine Stewardship Area Plan, and he’s proud of the MRC for that accomplishment. He finds that it is a great foundation for the work they do.
Jonathan’s favorite place on the water is wherever he happens to be at the time – just getting out on the water is the key – but that doesn’t stop him from going to great lengths to get to distant and exotic locations. The Mentawai Islands off the coast of Sumatra are a favorite surfing area. Closer to the home he shares with his wife and son on Orcas Island he does a lot of sailing. He’s also a diver and even surfs in the cold waters off Vancouver Island.
Elected to represent the San Juan MRC on the Northwest Straits Commission in 2006, Jonathan served as vice chair and is currently the chair of the Commission. He feels fortunate to be a part of the Northwest Straits Initiative, and marvels at the idea that a builder can become chair – a testament to the bottom-up nature of the organization. He’s looking forward to being part of the ongoing reinvention and growth of both the MRC and the Commission.
Judy Surber, Jefferson MRC
Watch out when you start talking to Judy Surber of the Jefferson MRC: you may find yourself lured into a surprisingly interesting conversation about shoreline planning and other wonky policy stuff. Her ability to understand and communicate land use-related issues is an incredible talent. Having been approached by an MRC member soliciting her expertise, Judy established for herself an important role as liaison between the MRC and the Port Townsend planning department. As the city’s Senior Planner and Planning Manager, and a dedicated mom, it is no small commitment to volunteer time and energy to local conservation efforts.
Nine years of service on the Jefferson County MRC are now under her belt, some of it as representative to the Northwest Straits Commission. Judy is thoughtful and smiles broadly when asked about attracting new members and projects; there are many opportunities yet to explore. She recalls the early stages of the effort to prevent boaters from anchoring in eelgrass beds along the Port Townsend waterfront. Judy helped design the slogan 'Anchor out for Eelgrass' adorning large surface buoys installed by divers each spring. A diver herself, she sheepishly admits the water is just too cold here for her – beachcombing, kayaking, and horseback riding in the sand are more her style.
With increasing levels of public interest around land use issues, Judy believes that the Northwest Straits Commission could play an important role in helping define where and how to do the monitoring required by Shoreline Master Programs. And she envisions a stronger connection between MRCs and K-12 education. With mounting state budget cuts, kids are missing out on one of the most memorable aspects of school – field trips to see firsthand the world-class beauty of this region. Clearly, Judy's passion for children and preserving the natural environment will keep her active in her community for many years to come.
Ron Akeson, Whatcom MRC
Whatcom MRC member Ron Akeson, A common theme among MRC members is that these are people who love to be out on the water. Ron Akeson of the Whatcom MRC is one of those people, but he takes it one step farther – he’s been diving for 33 years, and has spent a lot of time underwater. He also helps introduce others to the sport of diving through his business – Adventures Down Under – in Bellingham.
Raised in southern California, Ron spent summers and a single winter in Alaska before settling in Washington as a happy medium. He has a passion for education and community involvement, and lives by the philosophy that if everyone puts time back into what they love, the world will be a better place. After growing up around the ocean, Ron puts this philosophy into practice by investing a lot of volunteer time in marine protection and restoration work.
Ron’s seat on the MRC is to represent recreational interests. With a degree in marine biology and a minor in geology he had a head start in understanding marine issues. Being on the water a lot also gives him insight on what’s really happening in our marine waters. He particularly enjoys diving on shipwrecks, which give a glimpse into local history and marine life all at once.
Whatcom MRC has made an effort to learn more about the status of rockfish populations in the area, and a public speaker event on rockfish back in 2002 was what initially drew Ron in to join the MRC. After the talk, he began to learn what the MRC was all about. He’s now in his 7th year, having served as co-chair of the MRC for several years and now serving as an alternate representative to the Northwest Straits Commission. Ron is also the current president of the Washington Scuba Alliance, and is interested in finding ways for projects to cross over to help support the work of the MRC.
Erica Pickett, Skagit MRC
Skagit MRC member Erica Pickett is very good at many things, but sitting still is not one of them. When she retired from the business of running an Anacortes lumber yard specializing in boat-building supplies, she immediately joined the MRC.
Erica is a locally-born Puget Sounder. She grew up in Seattle, and moved to Anacortes in the early 1970s. Anacortes was small-town at the time, but development pressures were mounting. Erica joined the city planning commission and served on the forest land board at a time when it was critical to come up with creative solutions to ensure that forest land could be preserved while still providing revenue to the city. Erica worked with partners to establish an endowment fund for conservation easements on city forest land, which over time has grown to over $1.5 million and provides protection of 40% of the city’s land.
A dedicated volunteer, Erica completed training as a Beach Watcher and consistently contributes an impressive number of hours to this work. A highlight for her has been getting out on the beach as a beach naturalist to teach kids about nearshore areas, and developing protocols to allow for them to explore while minimizing the impact of so many visitors.
Erica is an enthusiastic learner, and finds the MRC an excellent setting to find out about marine issues in Puget Sound. She’s impressed by the work that MRCs do with limited funds, particularly on projects where members contribute valuable support through data gathering and project planning, reducing the need for expensive professional assistance.
The combination of Erica’s energy for on-the-beach projects, tolerance for planning activities and long-term vision makes her a vital contributor to the work of the Skagit MRC. She has also served as an alternate to the Northwest Straits Commission for the MRC, and is a member of the Anacortes city council.
Ed Bowlby, Clallam MRC
A person might wonder how a kid from the land-locked state of Oklahoma finds his way to a career in marine biology, but Ed Bowlby was inspired early on by the work of Jacques Cousteau. One thing led to another, and he made his way to California and then traveled further north along the Pacific to work in Seattle and Alaska. During these travels he discovered the Olympic Peninsula, so when a job opened at the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, Ed found himself finally able to happily work and live in the same place.
Ed joined the Clallam County MRC wanting to put his professional skills to use in a volunteer position. He soon realized that the most essential skills for participating were interpersonal skills. One of the last of the original members still serving on the MRC, Ed enjoys the challenge of balancing the many ideas that members bring to the table. Luckily for the MRC, Ed is a dedicated scientist as well as a very personable fellow, able to exchange ideas and information in order to come to consensus around important issues. Over the years, Ed has also represented the Clallam MRC on the Northwest Straits Commission many times.
The Strait of Juan de Fuca presents a lot of shoreline in Clallam County, but one of Ed’s favorite local places is Tongue Point, where the beaches start to become rockier and provide excellent places to go diving, tidepooling and just observe the natural world. These nearshore areas are the focus of many of the Clallam MRC’s projects, including forage fish habitat surveys, eelgrass mapping, nearshore surveys around the Elwha River. Ed enjoys seeing individual projects emerge and looks forward to the next step of weaving together all the pieces to get at the bigger picture.
>Clallam MRC and the Northwest Straits Commission are fortunate to have Ed as a volunteer. His long-term participation has contributed much to the success of the MRC locally and the Northwest Straits Initiative regionally.
Jim Slocomb, San Juan MRC
As a liveaboard boater and long time resident of San Juan County, Jim Slocomb may have a greater appreciation than most for the marine waters in Puget Sound. Being on the water every day also gives him a perspective that is a valuable contribution to the MRC.
To meet him, you will likely have to head out to the San Juans to find him in his native habitat – he is known to avoid “the mainland” at all costs, preferring an intentional life exploring the archipelago by sailboat and kayak. When not exploring the islands by boat, he is often exploring them through underwater video surveys or digitally through his GIS work.
San Juan MRC was the first of the marine resources committees to form, prior to the establishment of the Northwest Straits Initiative. Though he joined the MRC in 1998 as a representative for the town of Friday Harbor, he was elected chair of the MRC the following year and became a citizen-at-large representative. Jim served as chair of the MRC for six years, ending his reign in 2005.
A dedicated advocate for the MRC model and local control, Jim imagines endless possibilities for what the MRC can accomplish with its broad community support, the consensus-based process, and its insulation from political pressures. He is most proud of the work San Juan has done on bottomfish recovery, its marine stewardship area, and integration with the salmon recovery work.
Despite his aversion to mainland life, Jim is far from reclusive: regaling island visitors from the wheelhouse of his sailboat is a favorite pastime, and one would be hard-pressed to find anyone more knowledgeable or passionate about the marine resources of the San Juans.
Polly Fischer, Skagit MRC
In January of 2008, Polly Fischer stepped down as Skagit County MRC’s representative to the Northwest Straits Commission. Polly remains a member of the Skagit MRC, where she has served seven years representing the sport fishing community. She will be missed on the Commission, certainly for her good humor, but also for her tremendous knowledge of northwest fishing issues.
Along with bringing knowledge to the Commission, Polly also spread the word about the Northwest Straits Initiative and made new connections within and beyond the Northwest Straits.
In February 2008, Polly represented the Skagit MRC and the Northwest Straits Commission at a meeting of Canada’s Sport Fishing Advisory Board. Migratory fish don’t pay attention to political or jurisdictional boundaries and policy in British Columbia affects the ecosystem and quality of life here in the Northwest Straits region. Having Polly at the table for these trans-boundary discussions benefits the greater region as well as sport fishermen here in Washington state.
As a long time sport fishing enthusiast, Polly is a member of Puget Sound Anglers-Fidalgo Chapter, the Wildcat Steelhead Club, and the Fidalgo Fly Fishers. With her first hand knowledge of Skagit River Fishing, in 2007 Polly was appointed to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (WDFW) Anadromous and Marine Resources Sport Fishing Advisory Group. The Advisory Group provides guidance to WDFW on setting fishing seasons that achieve conservation and harvest goals. In her spare time, Polly enjoys gymnastics, fencing, folk dancing, boxing, auto racing, and of course, fishing.
Anne Murphy, Jefferson MRC
A true “watershed’ moment started Anne Murphy off on her journey that would eventually land her on Puget Sound at the head of the Port Townsend Marine Science Center. Having taken a drink from the local creek, her dad explained how watersheds work…and that the horses upstream may not make for very good drinking water.
Anne has learned a lot about water since then, through experiences driven by her passion for fish and water that shaped her career and how she spends her personal time. Well-rounded experience, from hands on time working as a gillnetter in the strait and snorkeling in kelp beds to her work as an educator and a charter member of the Jefferson MRC.
Being part of the start-up process for the MRC was a time of great creativity and energy for Anne, who immediately volunteered to participate when the opportunity came up. Naturally hoping to work with a group of like-minded environmentalists, she quickly found that one of the most important skills needed for a successful MRC is to be a good listener. Hearing the many perspectives that members brought to the table helped her understand that others value the environment equally but differently. As the Jefferson MRC representative to the Northwest Straits Commission, she broadened her own perspective and came to appreciate how local communities were shaping the projects that emerged around the region.
Anne’s favorite projects are those that reflect the community and build on the momentum created by that community support. In Jefferson, the eelgrass protection zone is a perfect example of a project that demonstrates positive change and builds on many years of effort by people and organizations working individually and in partnership.
Though she sees that the MRCs are no longer the startup enterprises of the past, she continues to see a way for MRCs to evolve and be relevant by staying in touch with the needs of the local communities, being open to creating collaborative partnerships and allowing people to follow their passion to move projects forward.
Hi Bronson, Island MRC
There is no way to present the full picture of Hi Bronson’s life experience in such a short space, so what you’ll get here is a snapshot. Originally from California, he moved to Bremerton as a child, attended the University of Maine, joined the Navy and met his lovely wife Pat in Key West. Despite assignments including Italy, Australia and tropical locations over the years, he longed to return to the northwest and Puget Sound. He did so when he retired from the Navy, moving to Bellingham and earning an environmental planning degree from Western Washington University and eventually moving to Camano Island, where he looks out over Utsalady Bay.
After retiring from a second career as a land use planner, Hi asked a county commissioner about volunteer opportunities, expecting to participate in a land use board or something along those lines. He was pleasantly surprised to be appointed to the newly-formed MRC, despite the fact that it has required a 90-minute commute to attend the Coupeville meetings from his Camano Island home.
In addition to people skills, he notes that an interest in learning and willingness to learn new subjects are important characteristics of a successful MRC member. But serving on the MRC wasn’t enough - Hi completed his Beach Watcher training in the first Camano Island class in 2002, and was part of the group that created the now regional and highly successful Shore Stewards program.
Although Hi is in his 10th and final year on the MRC due to term limits, he is already moving forward on his latest adventure: he and two others have formed a non-profit foundation to support educational activities at Cama Beach State Park. The park is hands-down his favorite place in the Northwest Straits – just being there evokes visions of what it was like to go camping and fishing here in the 1930s. There may be a deeper connection that draws him there: the park itself opened just four days before he was born.
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.