News & Updates

Recent News

  • Behind the scenes WCC crews lend a hand

    To set thousands of traps and remove hundreds of invasive European green crabs each year takes a dedicated team.

  • Sea Dragons Now: Nathaniel Ashford

    This blog post series highlights alumni of the Sea Dragons, a student-run underwater robotics team and their work with the Jefferson MRC, sharing reflections, advice, and the impact of hands-on marine conservation. 

  • Exciting Progress on Northwest Straits Reauthorization

    We are excited to share that on June 3, 2026, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the House version of the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act (H.R. 2860) with strong bipartisan support: 374 yeas and 49 nays. 

  • April 16th is Bull Kelp Day!

    A time to celebrate and support all 22 species of kelp in our marine forests! 

    In 2025, Governor Bob Ferguson named April 16th Bull Kelp Day.

  • Sea Dragons Now: Riley Forth

    This blog post series highlights alumni of the Sea Dragons, a student-run underwater robotics team and their work with the Jefferson MRC, sharing reflections, advice, and the impact of hands-on marine conservation. 

  • Sea Dragons Now: Ella Ashford

    This blog post series highlights alumni of the Sea Dragons, a student-run underwater robotics team who worked with the Jefferson MRC from 2022-2024. The alumni share their reflections, advice, and the impact of hands-on marine conservation. 

  • Fall 2025 Kids on the Beach

    Forty-three Conway Middle School eighth graders explored marine science during the Fall 2025 Kids on the Beach program Oct. 23 at Fidalgo Bay Resort. With help from six Samish Department of Natural Resources staff and 25 volunteers, students conducted five beach seines and forage fish surveys, catching numerous fish and three hooded nudibranchs.

  • 2025 Environmental Leadership Award

    The Northwest Straits environmental leadership award honors individuals that leave a lasting impact on our work in a way that helps us advance our goals of community driven marine conservation. 

    2025 NORTHWEST STRAITS ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP AWARD - DR. PAUL DINNEL

  • 2025 MRC Conference Recap

    Pictured L-R: Skagit County Commissioner Ron Wesen, Lucas Hart NW Straits Director, Swinomish Indian Tribal Community Chairman Steve Edwards. (Jessica Owens).

  • 2025-2030 Strategic Plan

    The 2025–2030 NW Straits Commission's 2025–2030 Strategic Plan was developed through a phased, collaborative process led by Strategies NW.