Bull kelp forest, nereocystis leutkeana Photo: Eiko Jones
Info

Public Comment Period Open: Puget Sound Kelp Conservation and Recovery Plan

The Puget Sound Kelp Conservation and Recovery Plan is now available for review and public comment. Initiated in 2016 as part of the Puget Sound rockfish recovery effort, scientists and resource managers used a collaborative approach to review local science and policy relating to kelp forests. Coordinated action is needed to reverse downward trends in kelp populations by addressing both longstanding and emerging stressors. This comment period will remain open until January 22, 2020.

To read the draft Kelp Plan and provide comments, please use the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KELP_PS.

NOTE: Links to the document and appendices are found on the first page of the survey.

We're hiring!

Join the Northwest Straits Commission team as an Ecosystem Project Coordinator. Learn more and apply at bit.ly/3844Of6. Closes January 27, 2020.  

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.

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More About Us and the Northwest Straits Region »

January Commission Meeting

January 31

Coupeville Library, Whidbey Island

  • Member Spotlight: Jeff Ward

  • Island MRC issues their 2019 annual report

    Island MRC

    Each MRC boasts a list of accomplishments, and Island MRC has recently published their 2019 annual report. Read about their members and what they did in the past year, including bull kelp, eelgrass and forage fish monitoring, along with a lot of local education and outreach. 

    Click here to read the report. 

  • Kids on the Beach Science Symposium

    Skagit MRC

    Conway School 8th graders hopped on a bus to their 2019 Kids on the Beach Science Symposium last week at Padilla Bay Reserve. The program starts with class time spent developing a research question, followed by a fieldwork day on the beach to collect data, and wraps up with a science symposium where they have an opportunity to share the results of their research on beach enhancement and surf smelt spawning and fish species richness.

    Their presentations showed that they came away with a great understanding of the scientific process and learned a lot about restoration and forage fish. As one student exclaimed, "I would come back to do it all again!" That's exactly what Skagit MRC had in mind for this project - to inspire the next generation of scientists. Learn more about the program at www.skagitmrc.org.

  • Podcast: OCTOPOD visits the Northwest Straits

    Northwest Straits Initiative

    Last month the team from OCTOPOD recorded a podcast at our conference and they've recently posted their episode from the event! Click through to listen to some of the passionate people who help preserve and protect the Northwest Straits marine ecosystem.

    The episode features a mash-up of 9 interviews from a variety of roles and locations within the initiative, with a focus on citizen (or community) science. We hope you are all inspired by them to discover a new way to take action in your communities!

    Click here to listen.

Member Spotlight: Jeff Ward

Clallam MRC

Jeff Ward is a marine ecologist who retired in March 2015 as Senior Program Manager at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Sequim. He has over 35 years’ experience designing, implementing, and managing multidisciplinary environmental projects that assess ecological and human health risk and explain the tradeoffs associated with various management actions.

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Upcoming Events

  • Jan

    21

    Snohomish Starlight Beach Walk - January 21

    Tuesday-Tuesday
    January 21-January 21
    7-8:30

    Free family friendly event to explor beaches and and tidepools under the stars! Bring a flashlight and dress for the weather. More at 

    Edmonds, Olympic Beach

  • Jan

    31

    January Commission Meeting

    Friday
    January 31
    10:00 AM-3:00 PM

    Coupeville Library, Whidbey Island

  • Feb

    28

    February NWS Commission Meeting

    Friday
    February 28
    10:00 AM-12:00 PM

    To join the WebEx meeting, click here. Enter your name and email address and click “Join.”

    For audio conference, dial: 1-415-655-0001, access code: 804 689 071. 

    WebEx