3 Crabs Self-Guided Walking Tour |
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Spring is here and the world around us is waking up after a long winter. Now is the perfect chance to get out and enjoy some of NOSC’s restoration sites. This month, we are featuring the 3 Crabs Nearshore and Estuarine Restoration Project since it is a hotspot for many migratory bird species. Click the button below for a downloadable 3 Crabs Self-Guided Walking Tour PDF and treat yourself to a day at the beach!
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Native Plant Propagation with Chimacum Elementary Students |
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Inside of the new Chimacum Elementary Greenhouse. Photos: Corey Chin |
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Students from grades 3-6 will participate in these greenhouse activities, with each grade responsible for propagating a different species. Species include Douglas fir, big leaf maple, red-flowering currant, and red elderberry. The Salmon Coalition has been working with seventh graders for several years now in our Real Learning, Real Work (RLRW) STEM curriculum. Real Learning, Real Work allows students to play the role of a restoration professional, as they plan and implement their own restoration planting. This new partnership acts as a perfect extension of RLRW by cultivating knowledge of native plants and why native riparian plants are important for restoration. With the support of the Community Wellness Project and the garden program it funds, Chimacum students will have a better understanding of basic botanical processes, native plants, and what those plants need to thrive.
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Virtual Trivia Night - Earth Day Edition! |
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Virtual Trivia Night is back by popular demand, and we’re throwing an Earth Day twist on it! Join us on Zoom at 6:30 PM on April 22 for an evening of mind-boggling questions and friendly faces from the Salmon Coalition Community.
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Planting native trees and shrubs is a huge part of NOSC’s riparian restoration work, and our amazing volunteers are a key part of that work. Watch our All About Planting video to learn about how riparian plantings benefit salmon and why we need volunteers like you!
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State of the Salmon Report |
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What is the status of salmon recovery in Washington? What challenges are Washingtonians facing as we work to restore these iconic species? Read all about it in the 2020 State of the Salmon Report by the Governor’s Salmon Recovery Office. |
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Volunteer Spotlight: Janet Welch & Willi Smothers |
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Willi (left) and Janet (right) enjoying a day at the beach. Photo: Janet Welch |
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The Salmon Coalition is grateful to work with and learn from so many inspiring and dedicated people. To celebrate the contributions of this community, NOSC selects someone each month to highlight and give thanks.
This month we are highlighting Janet Welch and Willi Smothers, who have cultivated and donated Garry Oak (Quercus garryana) to plant at the Kilisut Harbor Restoration Site. Read on to learn more about Janet and Willi.
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Tell us a little bit about yourselves. |
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We've each lived in the area for about 35 years and have been involved in a variety of political, community, and environmental causes, commissions, boards, and organizations. We've both spent a lot of time sitting at tables writing policy and plans and currying community support. Over time, we were drawn to more physical, immediate, and gratifying efforts; armed with bow saws and weed pullers, we struck out to eradicate invasive species such as ivy, holly, and spurge laurel from local forests. For many years we volunteered with the Elwha project, collecting seed, propagating, repotting, and eventually planting into the former reservoir sites.
We loved being a small part of that landscape-scale dam removal project and were honored to be a part of this vitally important salmon passage restoration closer to home.
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How did you first hear about NOSC and what encouraged you to volunteer? |
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We've been aware of and supported NOSC since its inception! Early on, the organization (and we backers) approached the Herculean task of bringing salmon habitat restoration into the public consciousness with a warrior's passion. Thankfully, as awareness and support--public and political--have built over the decades, restoration efforts have become much more cooperative, substantial, and affirming. The very early successes and failures are part of NOSC's collective history but, under Rebecca's vision and awesome leadership, combined with her staff's skills, NOSC has been able to achieve much more than any of us would have dreamt 30 years ago. |
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You’ve been propagating native garry oak trees and graciously donated some to plant at our Kilisut Harbor Restoration site. What drew you to garry oak trees? |
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Living on Marrowstone, we often get to see the Garry Oaks near the old 'isthmus'. The sheer magnificence of their stature is underscored by the historical relevance that those very trees were the ones Vancouver's expedition saw in 1792 when they named the body of water Oak Bay. Thus, Garry Oaks, and that copse in particular, have always been very special to us. For years we had enjoyed collecting acorns from oaks in the San Juan Islands to propagate for ourselves and friends. Though a friend from the Native Plant Society asserted that the oaks at the isthmus didn't bear acorns, we knew differently, having seen them produce once or twice over the years. We were, therefore, delighted in the fall of 2018 when for the first time in years, the oaks put out a bountiful acorn crop. We gathered them, excited that the timing was perfect for when the project was completed the following year.
But because of delays in project permitting, in the winter of 2019/20 we found ourselves with a hundred trees and the project still in full swing. We found homes for those trees along the trails, parks, and parking areas on Indian Island. Amazingly, in a feat of botanical generosity, in 2019 the oaks again put out a large crop of acorns. Even the oaks were cooperating with the project! We planted the acorns in the fall, up-potted them into tree pots last spring, and in February those 4 inch tall saplings with long 16 inch roots joined their venerable ancestors on the SW side of the bridge.
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Anything else you’d like to tell our readers? |
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One reason we are such advocates for planting oaks is that they may be well suited for impending climate disruption. With their deep tap roots and ability to live in warmer climates, we can hope that they will continue to reach their 500+ year potential here. As cedars gradually disappear from the Olympic Peninsula, we believe that oaks could be one replacement species. Though we believe that human culture has entered its 'hospice' stage, oaks may live on, representing a small, lasting gift to the planet. In fact, Willi planted 4 of them within 10 feet of our deck, knowing that they'll certainly outlast all of us. |
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Thank you Janet & Willi, we appreciate you! |
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Base funding for the RFEG program comes from a grant from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, a portion of state commercial and recreational fishing license fees, and excess egg and carcass sales administered by the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife.
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Give Us Your Feedback
Questions or Comments? Let us know what you think!
outreach@nosc.org
360.379.8051
www.nosc.org
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