By NSEA Stewardship Program Coordinator, Sarah Brown

Salmon recovery is a complex field that requires collaboration and strong partnerships, and we are excited to join forces once again with other local organizations and governments for our 2021 Fall Community Work Parties. We will restore streamside habitat along seven different creeks across Whatcom County this fall by planting native trees and shrubs and removing invasive vegetation. Between October 9 and December 11, we are hosting a work party every Saturday from 9 am-12 pm. Plus, we have two work parties commemorating important events in our community, Orca Recovery Day and Make a Difference Day.

Endangered Southern Resident orcas rely on healthy Chinook salmon populations and habitat degradation and pollution continue to be some of the biggest threats to salmon recovery. Alongside the Whatcom Conservation District and the Whatcom Land Trust, we are celebrating Orca Recovery Day by restoring salmon habitat along California Creek on October 16. Planting trees and removing invasive vegetation improves the water quality of the creek which makes up about 40% of the Drayton Harbor watershed and is home coho, chum, and Chinook salmon as well as threated winter steelhead.

The following weekend will be our Make a Difference Day (MADD) Work Party with the City of Bellingham on October 23. MADD is a National Day of Service focused on community and making positive impacts, and we will spend the day restoring salmon habitat throughout Whatcom Falls Park. Sign up to join us and encourage your friends and family to tag along, and we will be ready with tools, gloves, and instructions for a fun day of restoration.

Outdoor opportunities remain as one of the safest ways to get involved and connect with others in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. We will continue requiring registration, physical distancing, and face coverings, along with following other safety measures as described in our COVID-19 policies and procedures. If you have a larger group that is interested in participating at one of our Community Work Parties or are looking for a private restoration opportunity, please reach out! I am happy to answer any questions you may have about the upcoming season and the work we are doing to keep our community safely engaged in salmon recovery. Please contact Sarah Brown at sbrown@n-sea.org or call 360-715-0283.

We look forward to seeing you at the creek!

Registration for Community Work Parties is now available on our website.