From: Tabitha Mangiafico Whidbey Coordinator <whidbey-coord@soundwaterstewards.org>
Date: Wednesday, July 6, 2022
Subject: July Volunteer opportunities | Sound Water Stewards and POTLUCK!
Hello Whidbey SWS,
I hope you all are enjoying the beautiful weather we have been having!
Have you logged in to www.Soundwaterstewards.org and check out our Members Calendar and News Posts? Did you get a chance to see the June Newsletter which had Volunteer Opportunities?
We have a Super Cool new Community Science Project which will be Monitoring Stormwater in Oak Harbor. We are currently seeking 7 volunteers to be trained in late August by our Partner: Friends of Skagit Beaches. Volunteers will collect samples from 5 outfalls in Oak Harbor about twice a month. If this is something which interests you, please email our Sound Water Stewards Vice President, Paul Belanger. You can view more details about Stormwater Monitoring here.
I am also excited to announce that I am expanding my role within Sound Water Stewards and will be leading our Education and Outreach here on Whidbey. We have young kids with Readiness to Learn, and a few weeks ago Nancy and I taught Barnacle Bonanza and Nature Journaling, which we will be doing in Langley July 14th. We also have a low tide walk with adults with the Sno-Isle Libraries on August 2nd, and a Night Hike with the parks on August 11th. Please let me know if you would like to join, shadow or learn more.
Our popular and beloved event Dining 4 Dinner, is currently still postponed due to shellfish beach closures at Double Bluff Beach for Varnish and Butter Clams. I will be working on a PSA for our Newsletter and our website, our team is currently working on plan b for a summer fundraiser event. If you are interested in sharing ideas with our Fund and Development team please either Kelly Webb, or Kris Holley.
Crab season is open and I am seeking a few volunteers to help share educational materials on how to Catch More Crab. Last year the class of 2021 got together as a group of 3-4 per boat ramp on Whidbey and helped hand out rack cards, and cotton cord, and this year, we could also stress the importance of the bait they are using. Did you know that if you used a varnish clam, or butter clam for example with PSP for bait, you would be infecting the crab. Since you cannot cook PSP out! I learned this talking with Elaine Chan on Camano who is helping to organize a public memetic for the Department of Health and Toxins. View Shellfish Safety Map here
Logging hours: If you have not received an invitation to create your profile please let me know. You can view the recording “Learn to Log Hours” or the PDF of Instructions to help get you started.
Volunteer with our Partners:
- July 8th: Marine Resources committee needs more help working at Cornet Bay on July 8th for mulching and restoration for the salmon’s habitat. Please email Kelly to let her know you can help!
- They currently have only 1 volunteer! Please help if you can :).
Summer Potluck Picnic July 24th
- West Beach Shelter in Deception Pass State Park! Family is welcome to join! We will be providing the Mussels from Penn Cove Mussels!
Sincerely,
Tabitha Jacobs-Mangiafico, Whidbey Coordinator
Sound Water Stewards of Island County
Cell: 860-367-6286
Website: www.soundwaterstewards.org
Office Hours: Monday – Thursday 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Friday-Sunday off
