What's New
Request for Proposals: Pacific Sand Lance Research
A request for proposals is now open to obtain new information on sub-tidal life history of Pacific sand lance in the Northwest Straits region. Click below to read the full Request for Proposals, which includes information on how to submit a proposal:
13 Puget Sound Areas Completely Free of Derelict Fishing Nets
The Northwest Straits Initiative announced today that it has completely removed lost and abandoned commercial fishing nets from 13 distinct locations in Puget Sound. Divers working from four full-time removal boats have already removed over 1,200 mostly gill nets and are on schedule to complete the project by December, 2010. More...
Monitoring Coordinator Position - Request for Qualifications
The San Juan Marine Resources Committee is seeking a locally based contractor to coordinate environmental monitoring activities in the community, improve coordination between monitoring groups, develop a monitoring strategy and provide monitoring results for the public and decision makers. The deadline for application is 5 PM on March 12. 2010. Click here to read the full request for qualifications.
Restore America's Estuaries
The 5th national conference on Coastal and Estuarine Habitat Restoration is on November 13-17, 2010. The conference theme is Preparing for Climate Change: Science, Practice and Policy. Click here for more information.
US House of Representatives passes Northwest Straits Reauthorization bill
The House of Representatives passed the NW Straits Initiative Reauthorization Act (HR 1672), legislation sponsored by U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, by voice vote December 7. Click here to read the full press release.
Next Commission Meeting
The next Commission meeting will be on March 26 in Clallam County. Agenda and directions coming soon.
Newsletter
Click here to see the current edition of the Northwest Straits Initiative's monthly newsletter.
Member Spotlight
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.
Port Susan Marine Stewardship Area – Science Workshop
Port Susan Bay, a large estuary nestled within Snohomish and Island county borders, is the focus of a collaborative effort to designate a marine stewardship area (MSA). The area boasts tremendous wildlife and scenic beauty; and provides numerous hunting, fishing and recreational opportunities. On January 29, the Commission, Tulalip Tribes, and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) co-sponsored a gathering of invited experts to identify biodiversity targets in the bay. Held in Stanwood, this event brought together 43 people with relevant local and regional scientific knowledge, from a variety of agencies, tribes, and organizations. A facilitator helped guide discussions around core themes of shellfish, marine habitats, birds and marine mammals and fisheries.
We are pleased that there was a great turnout from project partners at the workshop, including the Snohomish and Island MRCs, Tulalip and Stillaguamish Tribes, the Commission and TNC. This was an important step forward in an MSA planning process that will involve community members, resource managers and many more stakeholders. A written report, being prepared over the next few months, will include results of the viability assessment begun at the science workshop.
Who We Are
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.
Volunteers from seven county-based Marine Resources Committees select restoration and conservation projects that meet performance benchmarks, attract diverse partners, and engage large numbers of community members in the process.
The Northwest Straits Commission coordinates these efforts and conducts regional projects. The Commission also brings together scientists and marine managers to help improve everyone's efforts to save Puget Sound.