If you have not done so, consider going backwards to read the first weekly NaturalSkagit blog post, which was February 27, 2008.
During those “early days” the GoSkagit On-line News had a style that did not emphasize blogs as much as the current format. Not very many people read them, whereas now a weekly blog is read nearly 350 times!
That first post begins with a really great poem to set the stage, and explains what the purpose of this whole effort is. It will help you appreciate the style and format used. You might even read those you missed.
That little guy mentioned in last week’s post? He is off to a REALLY fast start! His mom pushed him in a baby stroller in the Burlington Berry-Dairy Days 10k foot race last Saturday. Won her age group she did!
Even though this blog is mostly for people who are just beginning to look for ways to help preserve and enhance the NaturalSkagit, sometimes we just have to mention folks already actively DUG IN.
How about that story about Jack and Ann Middleton in the GoSkagit? Talk about people who go an extra mile. Some of you participated in seminars about Low Impact Development recently, and Jack and Ann probably helped check you in, served refreshments, bussed the dishes and cleaned up before and after! They have been involved in helping to keep this place nice for a long time and we hope that continues for a long time more!
The Local-Organization-You-Might-Want-To-Be-Involved-With this week is the Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. http://www.PadillaBay.gov This is the facility out on the Bayview-Edison road beyond the State Park, sometimes called the Braezeale Interpretive Facility because the Braezeale family donated much of the land and some buildings.
There are 27 National Estuarine Research Reserves (NERR) in coastal states around the country, totaling over a million acres. The NERR system was established in 1972 and the Padilla Bay Reserve (8,000 acres) was added in 1980. The next closest Reserve is just south of Coos Bay, in Oregon. The Reserves are protected for long-term research, water-quality monitoring, education, and coastal stewardship.
The Padilla Bay Reserve facility is a joint effort between NOAA and the State Department of Ecology. There are extremely popular education programs for all grade levels as well as adults. During weekdays when schools are in session there are often many school busses in the parking lots! Many special programs and presentations are held. The facility is also widely used by other groups to host their events and educational programs.
You can also pretty much just drop in during open hours. There are great displays and interpretive trails throughout the facility. The Heron Cam is there .. you see live streaming video of the heron activity across the Bay on March’s Point. This is a very active time in there!
Reserve staff, scientists, University students, and others are involved in numerous research projects and there are laboratory, working, and living facilities for them.
There are volunteer opportunities to help in the interpretive center and assist the education efforts. See the web site for details. Padilla Bay teams with the Skagit Conservation District to manage the Stream Team … a large group of volunteers who regularly do water quality sampling and testing throughout the county. Training for the fall season will be announced soon … it’s a fun and useful and worthwhile activity.
Lots of ways to Find a Place and Dig In out at Padilla Bay … it’s a real local treasure!
Here are some near-term activities to consider:
Now Watch a video about helping to keep Puget Sound clean http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=24243118493081945&hl=en
Sat. June 28 David Ellifrit and Astrid Van Ginnneken from the Center for Whale Research Dinner and stories at the Flounder Bay Café, Skyline Marina, 5:30 pm $50, proceeds support Orca Network. Reservations – 1-866-ORCANET or
Sat. June 28 North Cascades NP Colonial Creek Campground Storm Damage Revegetation 9:00am – 12:00pm 360 854 7275 for details.
Sat. June 28 Tour Eight Anacortes Backyard Wildlife Habitats 10:00am – 2:00pm Map and flyer at Anacortes Farmers Market – R ave. between 6th and 8th.
Sat. June 28 Work Party at Lyman Slough 10:00am – 1:00pm http://www.Skagitlandtrust.org for details. Help clear brush and invasive plants from newly planted native species at this beautiful preserved site.
Sat. July 5 Beach naturalists at Washington Park 1:00pm – 3:00pm Beach education with the WSU Beachwatchers.
July North Cascades Institute, in cooperation with the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, is seeking volunteers to participate in the Mountain Stewards program, now in its seventh year. Beginning in July, this environmental education program will train adult volunteers in low-impact recreation skills, natural history and backcountry management issues. Mountain Steward volunteers will travel in these beautiful areas to share information with day hikers, backpackers and climbers.
If you’re an experienced hiker with a passion for protecting wild places, you can find more Mountain Stewards information or obtain an application at http://www.ncascades.org/programs/stewardship/mountain , by phone at (360) 856-5700 ext. 209 or email at .
Many similar events and activities and opportunities are posted on the GoSkagit Event Calendar. Check it often!
(This blog is a service of the Skagit Conservation Education Alliance http://www.skagitwater.org Your comments will be helpful. New ideas to consider, and changes we should make are especially welcome. Corrections and further enlightenment will help as well. You can email to . Thank you.)
