WCC trapping European green crab. Photo: Leah Skare
European green crab
European green crab, considered one of the world’s most damaging invasive species, could threaten native organisms and nearshore habitats in Washington inland marine shorelines, as has been seen in other parts of the world where they have established invasive populations. The Northwest Straits Commission works to remove green crabs through coordination of collaborative trapping efforts.
Project Details
SoundIQ
SoundIQ allows us to visually illustrate our projects on a map in the context of other important natural resource information. Embedded in the SoundIQ maps are links to the data and reports associated with Northwest Straits projects. Learn more about our work by visiting SoundIQ. Find more information and a link to SoundIQ below.
Project Details
Olympia oyster restoration. Photo: DNR
Olympia Oyster Restoration
Tiny Olympia oysters used to flourish in the waters of Puget Sound, but overharvesting and pollution brought them to near extinction. Marine Resources Committees, in partnership with multiple organizations, are working to restore native Olympia oyster populations in their historic range in the Northwest Straits region.
Project Details
As 2025 draws to a close, it’s a good time to pause and reflect on a year full of meaningful work, from European green crab trapping to community outreach and stewardship and all the work in between. We are so grateful to our dedicated volunteers, partners, and supporters who make this work possible. Every effort, big and small, contributes to the health of our Salish Sea. Take a look at the BEST of 2025 in photos!
The Northwest Straits Commission is a regional coordinating body comprised of people who care about the marine areas where they live, and who work together to protect and restore marine resources.
The Northwest Straits Commission carries out regional conservation projects and supports the work of seven Marine Resources Committees through funding, technical support, training and regional coordination.
La Conner Rain Garden Sign
Member Spotlight: Jeff Ward
Nominations are open to anyone, regardless of organization or affiliation. The intent of the award is to encourage and recognize the achievements of volunteers who work to understand, protect and restore the marine waters and coastal resources of Island County.
Learn more and submit a nomination | Nominations are open until January 4, 2026
The award is sponsored by the Island County MRC, Sound Water Stewards, and Washington State University (WSU) Island County Extension.
Skagit MRC recently completed installation of a beautiful, new interpretive sign for the La Conner School rain garden, complete with a QR code that links to a project webpage offering more information, resources and Spanish translations.
Next steps follow a school-approved plan to add 25 native plants, install a temporary summer irrigation system, place plant ID tags featuring Lushootseed names provided by the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, and to create a classroom walking tour guide. There are also early conversations about developing a rain-garden curriculum to support future student learning. Learn more about the rain garden project.
Become a Salish Sea Stewards volunteer and make a difference!
Registration open: December 1, 2025 – January 31, 2026. Find the registration link on the Skagit MRC website. Space is limited to 26.
2026 Salish Sea Stewards Training: Classes will be held Tuesdays, 1:00 pm-5;00 pm, February 10 - April 14, 2026. Most classes are held at Padilla Bay, with some field days.
Member Spotlight: Jeff Ward
Jeff Ward is a marine ecologist who retired in March 2015 as Senior Program Manager at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Sequim.
Friday
January 30, 10:00 am - January 30, 3:00 pm
This meeting will be held in person at Padilla Bay Reserve.
Meeting materials will be available the week of the meeting.
10441 Bayview Edison Road, Mount Vernon, WA, 98273
Friday
February 27, 10:00 am - February 27, 12:00 pm
This meeting will be held virtually on Zoom.
Meeting materials will be available the week of the meeting.
Thursday - Friday
April 2, 10:00 am - April 3, 3:00 pm
More details about the 2026 NWSC Retreat will be available in the coming months.
Forty-three Conway Middle School eighth graders explored marine science during the Fall 2025 Kids on the Beach program Oct. 23 at Fidalgo Bay…
The Northwest Straits environmental leadership award honors individuals that leave a lasting impact on our work in a way that helps us advance our…
The 2025 MRC Conference brought the NW Straits community together in Skagit County where we gathered at La Conner’s Maple Hall on November 7–8.
The 2025–2030 NW Straits Commission's 2025–2030 Strategic Plan was developed through a phased, colla