Job Opportunity
The Island County Marine Resources Committee is seeking a new coordinator. This is a great opportunity to work with a dedicated group of volunteers on marine resource issues in Island County. Click here to download the information from the Island County Department of Natural Resources web site (pdf).
15th Annual MRC Conference
The Northwest Straits Initiative hosted the 15th Annual Marine Resources Committee conference on November 22-23 in Bellingham. The theme of the conference was Celebrating the Collective Impact of Local Stewardship. Click here for more information and to view presentations from this event.
What's New
SoundIQ Geoportal
You can now view information about the data layers on SoundIQ (metadata) and download the MRC geographic information systems (GIS) data. Click here to reach the GeoPortal.
NW Straits Commission Chair Appointed to Marine Advisory Council
Governor Inslee appointed Christine Woodward, Chair of the Northwest Straits Commission, to the Washington Marine Resources Advisory Council. The Council was created by the Washington legislature last session. We look forward to participating in this important work.
Island County Pigeon Guillemots
Island MRC recently hosted a presentation by coordinator Kelly Zupich on the Pigeon Guillemot survey project. The work that began in Island County in 2002 has expanded to the south sound area, using the same methodologies and protocols. The Island County group helped launch volunteer surveys this spring at the Nisqually Aquatic Reserve and around Anderson Island, and a smaller-scale survey was conducted by a student at the University of Puget Sound in the Tacoma-Gig Harbor area. Photo credit: Celia Bartram.
Rock Star Award
Snohomish MRC staff coordinator Kathleen Herrmann was recently honored with a Rock Star Employee of the Month award, presented by County Executive John Lovick. This award is designed to spotlight stellar performance and public service by a member of the Snohomish County workforce. Commenting on Kathleen's achievement, county Surface Water Management (SWM) Director Debbie Terwilliger thanked her for being "such a proactive member and leader", and doing a wonderful job of coordinating with SWM staff and county family. Congratulations, Kathleen!
Whatcom MRC - Climate Change Symposium
Over 100 people representing the food industry, government, non-profit organizations, tribes, concerned citizens and academia attended "The Future of Food- A Recipe for Tommorrow" on Halloween Day in Bellingham. The symposium highlighted the disparity between the impacts of climate change on marine and agricultural environments, particularly in Whatcom County. Congratulations to the planning committee and all the speakers who made the day such a success!
Welcome new MRC members
San Juan MRC welcomes five new members: Kathleen Dolson of San Juan Island; Wesley Heinmiller of Orcas Island; Thomas Temple of Crane Island; Terrence Turner of Orcas Island; and Robert Wilson of San Juan Island. Jefferson MRC welcomes Ralph Riccio, Shellfish Biologist for the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe.
Northwest Straits Commission Meeting
The next Northwest Straits Commission meeting will be held on Friday, December 13 from 10am-Noon via conference call. Click here for the draft agenda. For information about past meetings click here.
Newsletter
Click here to see the current edition of the Northwest Straits Initiative's monthly newsletter. If you would like to recieve our monthly newsletter click here.
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.