Projects
Samish Watershed
Signs of water quality in the Samish River Watershed
The purpose of the signs are to raise awareness about the water quality issues in the watershed and to remind everyone who lives, works or plays in the watershed that any given creek or the river Flows to Samish Bay and the salmon are Yours to Protect.
The Samish River and all its tributaries form a complex watershed that all flow to Samish Bay. The river and the numerous creeks cross many of the roads and highways throughout the watershed. A new road sign project was completed during the fall of 2010 and coordinated by the Skagit Education Outreach Network led by the Skagit Conservation Education Alliance (SCEA). Project partners included the Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group, the Skagit Conservation District and installation by the Skagit and Whatcom County Public Works Departments. The signs are in three parts: one sign gives the name of the waterway; another is a graphic of a watershed with the statement Flows to Samish Bay; and the third sign has a graphic of two salmon with the message Yours to Protect. Approximately 85 of these three part signs have been placed during the summer and fall of 2010 with about 65 in Skagit County and 20 in Whatcom County.
Funding was provided in part by the Puget Sound Partnership for the Skagit ECO Network and toward the purchase of the materials, and partly from the Clean Samish Initiative and the Skagit County Clean Water Program for Public Works Departments to install.
Special recognition goes to volunteers Kurt Buchanan, Pete Haase, Bill Bowen and Jack Middleton for their help in the completion of the project.
SCEA coordinates placement of portable toilets along the Samish River Salmon fishing is not the only activity in the Samish River watershed. Hikers, bicyclists, runners, bird watchers, kite boarders, and hang gliders use the area for recreation year round. Due to the high fecal coliform counts in the Samish River one effort to help reduce a potential impact from a human source is to offer strategic placement of the toilets, especially during high use periods. Landowners, Recreational Groups and Skagit County Public Works Department is helping SCEA find property sites that will allow a portable toilet placement. In addition WSU Beach Watcher volunteers are helping to get the word out about where the portable toilets are through placement of fliers and signs, and contact with local recreation groups and clubs.
Feedback from landowners and users is esential for determineing the best palcement. Let SCEA know if you have a need, by event or year round SCEA can help.
Sponsoring partners in this endeavor have included Taylor Shellfish, Blau Oysters, Holiday Sports, Puget Sound Patners, Coastal Protection Fund, Skagit County Public Works and other individuals with an interest in protecting water quality.
The Clean Samish Initiative
The Clean Samish Initiative is a Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant funded project involving many partners in Skagit County to help clean up the Samish River watershed of non-point fecal coliform pollution. SCEA is one of those partners. SCEA's role is to provide information to the public through educational outreach and networking. The Clean Samish Initiative report is available at the home page. www.skagitcleanwater.org.
Other important Projects of SCEA
Skagit ECO Network Coordiantion in partnership with Puget Sound Partners and many Skagit County based programs and organization working on clean water, watershed and fish enhancement programs.
Educational Outreach in Schools, at festivals and regioanl programs including Storming the Sound North, Beach Watchers and other fun and educational events continue - See Events for updates.
The "Bivalve Bash" will be replaced with an event as enjoyable.Check back for more information.
SCEA will consider the qualities, conditions and needs inall Watersheds in Skagit County.Educational outreach programs will be developed - stay tuned.
Contact SCEA to get involved