Join the Salish Sea Stewards!

The 2021 Salish Sea Stewards training program begins February 23 and there is still time to apply. Training includes ten virtual classes held Tuesday afternoons and two optional small group field sessions. Check out the training program flyer and registration form on the MRC website at www.skagitmrc.org.

Community Action with MyCoast

One of the biggest impacts that MRCs have on their counties' natural environment is connecting people to the nearshore environment, and empowering community members to become stewards. One important tool in that effort is MyCoast, which enables community members to share information about local conditions with decision-makers and stakeholders. Beachgoers are able to take photos and submit reports about derelict vessels and large marine debris.

Island MRC member Randy Berthold knows the value of MyCoast when put in the hands of community members. He teaches friends, neighbors, and other community groups how to use MyCoast, and has seen immediate results. Last week, when a roll of barbed wire showed up on the beach, a community member (who Randy had taught to use MyCoast) used the app to submit a report, and the timing worked for a WA Dept of Natural Resources clean up team to remove it right away. Randy thinks that the simplicity of the MyCoast app is the key to ensuring community members use it, and he is quick to offer his services to tutor interested folks on the app so that as many people as possible know about the tool and can use it to improve their community.

Do you want to be part of the MyCoast movement? You can find the app in the App Store or on Google Play.

Community Science in the time of COVID

Community science volunteers, like North Sound Stewards, help protect the Salish Sea. While 2020 was very different than any other year, North Sound Stewards were still able to fill important data gaps to inform management plans and more!

The North Sound Stewards partners, Whatcom MRC and RE Sources for Sustainable Communities, recently shared this video highlighting all the amazing work North Sound Stewards did in 2020!

Interested in learning more or signing up to become a North Sound Steward? Learn more at www.whatcomcountymrc.org.