Camano 101, Living on an Island

Sound Water Stewards is a co-sponsor and will have a table at this popular FREE community event.

2022 Location: Camano Center, 606 Arrowhead Rd, near Utsalady Elementary

Local nonprofits and government agencies share expertise and volunteer opportunities for “living on an island.” Though intended especially for new-comers to Camano Island, everyone can benefit from gaining an understanding of the limits of local resources: water, septic, energy (gas, electric), garbage/recycling, noxious weeds and native plants, caring for the marine habitat on the shores.

Learn more about who you will see at this event.

If you live on Camano, especially if you moved here recently and own your home, Camano 101 will introduce you to a plethora of local organizations that can help you adjust to your new surroundings.

By Maribeth Crandell, SWS Class of 1993

Camano 101 is a free event that will be held at the Camano Center at 606 Arrowhead Road, on Sat. Sept. 30, 2023. There is plenty of parking and room for meeting your neighbors both indoors and out in a beautiful community gathering space. Meet the experts from 18 organizations that can help you make a happy, healthy home on Camano Island.

For instance, you may not know that Island Transit provides a bus system that can take you around the Island, and from Camano to Stanwood, Mount Vernon, or Everett, for free! Learn about buses, vanpools, and how to connect with other transit systems.

Staff from the Camano Center will tell you about ways you can get connected with the community through resources and activities at the center, health and fitness classes, and senior support programs.

You can find out about the local parks and trails from the Friends of Camano Island Parks.  Find out how to join a volunteer trail crew or other volunteer opportunities at Cama Beach or Camano Island State Parks. Get tips on how to landscape your yard to attract birds and wildlife. Learn how to identify and remove noxious weeds before they take over your property.

If you’re a beach bum, or enjoy fishing, or crabbing, you might be interested in the volunteer projects and educational programs offered through the Shore Stewards, Marine Resource Committee or Sound Waters Stewards. You could learn about the efforts of the Whidbey Camano Land Trust to preserve beaches, forests and open space on the Island. Or find out about the free expertise offered through the Snohomish Conservation District that can help you protect the habitat, soil, forest, pasture, water quality and quantity on your property.

Waste Wise experts will teach you what you can recycle on Camano and where. They can offer simple steps on how to set up an odor-free compost system for yard waste and make a rodent proof worm bin for food waste. The Master Gardeners offer classes and advice and will help you eliminate pests in your orchard, flowers, and vegetable gardens.

The Camano Preparedness Group will help you get ready for the next emergency like the inevitable winter storms that take out power lines and close roads. The Camano Animal Shelter will help you find a new pet, a barn cat or trail dog, that needs a good home.

If you moved here from a more urban area where you were hooked-up to a city sewer, you may not yet know how to live with and maintain a septic system. Though it is not a sexy subject, it is crucial to understand before you invite a lot of guests over for the holidays to avoid any deeply embarrassing, inconvenient and expensive incidents. Bring your questions and get to know the community at one event, Camano 101.

Complete list of participating organizations