NOSC StoryMap: A Virtual Tour of Our Projects |
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A screencap of Salmon Coalition project sites, each represented by a pin, featured on the StoryMap. |
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The Salmon Coalition rolled out a Virtual StoryMap as a part of our 30th Anniversary Celebration in November. With the online program, users can explore several of our largest projects and programs including the Kilisut Harbor Restoration Project, Johnson Creek Fish Barrier Removal, and the Real Learning, Real Work Education Program. Staff are actively adding projects to the StoryMap, so be sure to check it regularly!
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Kodama Farm Restoration Moves Forward with Finalization of Conservation Easement! |
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A frosty winter morning at Kodama Farm. Photo: Lexi Wagor |
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The 45-acre Kodama Farm and Food Forest is now protected forever, thanks to the purchase of a conservation easement by Jefferson Land Trust! The Salmon Coalition is working closely with the Land Trust on the 21-acres of the property that has been set aside for salmon rearing habitat restoration.
In its current state, the 1200-ft stretch of Chimacum Creek that runs through the farm is channelized and nearly devoid of native riparian vegetation. This restoration project, which is currently in the design phase, includes the construction of meandering stream channels, beaver ponds, and a large riparian buffer which altogether will re-create a historic perennial wetland. NOSC volunteers and the WCC crew have planted an edible hedgerow that the Kodama farmers can harvest from and separates the farm from the restoration area which will eventually have a publicly accessible network of looping trails.
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We are proud to be a part of this powerful partnership with Jefferson Land Trust and Kodama Farm! Together we are building stronger and more resilient communities by bridging the gaps between conservation and restoration work and productive farms. To learn more, click the button below and read JLT’s press release about the remarkable work happening at Kodama Farm.
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February Micro Planting Updates |
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Volunteers planting at the Jamestown S'Klallam site next to the Dungeness River. Photo: Lexi Wagor. |
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With heavy rains early in the month, our planting site at Woodbridge Farm was under a few feet of standing water which meant we had to postpone the event until the flooding had subsided. So, on February 20th we did double duty – planting at both Woodbridge Farm and along the Dungeness River. At Woodbridge Farm in Chimacum, volunteers planted 4 acres of native trees and shrubs to help revegetate the areas on the property adjacent to Chimacum Creek. Meanwhile, just over the Clallam/Jefferson County line, volunteers put approximately 300 native plants into the ground at a property alongside the Dungeness River that was recently acquired by the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe. We send our greatest thanks to those who came out to plant with us this month!
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A young volunteer planting at Woodbridge Farm. Photo: Sarah Doyle |
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Are you keeping up on WCC Wednesdays? |
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WCC crew member Marlowe installing a new step for beach access at Indian Island County Park. Photo: Torin Blaker |
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Do you follow NOSC on social media? The Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) Port Hadlock Restoration Crew is a powerhouse when it comes to restoration, and on WCC Wednesdays we put them in the spotlight!
Lately, the crew has been really busy prepping sites and getting thousands of plants in the ground. They carved some time out of their busy schedule to install additional steps on the Indian Island side of the Kilisut Harbor Bridge beach access, which is a trail that is heavily used by the public. Thank you, crew!
Once again we want to thank Torin Blaker, Photography & Media Specialist on the crew, for helping us keep up with the crew and documenting the journey. You can check out Torin's other work on Instagram and YouTube.
Follow the Salmon Coalition on Instagram and Facebook for more WCC Wednesdays, the latest in NOSC news and events, and much more!
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Beautiful before and after photos of the steps on the beach access trail at Indian Island County Park. Photos: Torin Blaker |
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2019-2020 NOSC Annual Report |
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A great blue heron takes off at sunset at the Kilisut Harbor Restoration Project construction site. Photo: Kevin Long |
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The Salmon Coalition's 2019-2020 Annual Report is out now. 2019-2020 was a BIG year for NOSC, not just because we hit the 30 year milestone in 2020, but also because we finished up some major restoration projects. Kick your feet up, get cozy with your favorite warm beverage, and celebrate all that we accomplished together last year while reading the Annual Report.
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We're Hiring an Accounting Assistant! |
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North Olympic Salmon Coalition is seeking a dedicated and detail oriented professional to join our small but mighty team as our Accounting Assistant.
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A Coho swimming in the Hoh River. Photo: John Gussman |
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Volunteer Spotlight: Mesa Maddux & Jon Pincelli |
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Top: Mesa (left) and Jon (right) enjoying a hike. Photo: Mesa Maddux. Bottom Left: Mesa planting a western redcedar along at the Pysht River Conservation Area in January 2021. Photo Lexi Wagor |
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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 two go-to planting volunteers, Mesa Maddux and Jon Pincelli. Jon and Mesa have shown up in a pinch when we've had last minute cancellations, and they always give it their all when planting! Read on to learn more about them!
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Tell us a little bit about yourselves. |
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Jon is from Poway, California and moved to Western WA in 1992. With a background in forestry, farming, and being a former wilderness/fishing guide, he has witnessed the changes in fish populations and ecosystem loss. He has shifted his passions from fishing for salmon and steelhead to preservation and conservation. As for myself, I (Mesa) was born and raised here on the Olympic Peninsula and from a young age I was taught to love and appreciate the natural world around me. I grew up in a family with strong horticultural ties and I find myself much happier when I can be outside around plants and animals rather than indoors. The two of us are always looking for new adventures whether it’s hiking, kayaking, or camping. We run our own landscape and property service business called Happy Helpers which we hope will lead to future opportunities such as invasive species removal and forest restoration work. |
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What is your involvement with NOSC? |
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I started volunteering with NOSC my freshman year of high school. Later, I became more involved when I signed up for the Natural Resource class that was offered through the school in partnership with NOSC. After graduating, my involvement dropped off for a few years due to life changes including moving to New Zealand. Since returning home, I’ve had a strong desire to get involved in the community again. Jon has been a supporter of NOSC for many years, finally getting the opportunity to volunteer out in the field starting in 2018. Now that we work for ourselves, we have more freedom to dedicate time to volunteering for important organizations like NOSC. We can’t wait to see what this new year brings! |
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What inspires you to volunteer with NOSC? |
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Connecting with NOSC staff and fellow volunteers is always inspiring on its own. With most of our free time being devoted to some type of earth healing or restoration effort, participating in well-organized events with like-minded people feels incredibly rewarding. Seeing such dedicated people who truly care about making a positive difference, including teaching upcoming generations, is motivational. NOSC does an amazing job at making it possible to get involved in environmental volunteerism. |
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At our planting event on the Pysht River, you both stayed behind to clean up trash, and we hear that you clean up trash everywhere you go! What's the most interesting thing you've found or removed? |
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The two of us can’t help picking up trash where it doesn’t belong, especially on our beaches. Since we met, our mutual enjoyment of trash pick-ups has led to even more garbage being removed from our beaches, forests, and parks. At least one of us always has a trash bag when we go exploring because it’s hard to pass up a candy wrapper that’s been carelessly discarded on one of our favorite trails! Some of the most interesting items removed include a 400lb chunk of nylon ship rope, commercial crab pots, toxic chemicals, half a house, messages in bottles, a wood stove, and lots of little trinkets like miniature plastic mushrooms. |
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Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers? |
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If you are involved with NOSC and the community, we look forward to meeting you! If you are considering volunteering with this organization or other conservation groups, we highly recommend taking that step. Together we can achieve great things! |
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Thank you Mesa & Jon, 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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