February 2, 2008
Coupeville, WA

Sound Waters 2008 - A One Day University

Schedule | Directions | Presentations

Come to this day of public education focusing on the natural world of Puget Sound, presented by WSU Beach Watchers of Island County with help from the Marine Resources Committee, Island County Public Works, Sea Grant, and the Puget Sound Partnership.

Year after year, Sound Waters is the largest public gathering held in Island County for marine, nearshore and environmental education. It was first held in 1994. Over 250 people came in 2003; in 2007, 535 people came. This year you can choose from over 50 presentations. A variety of educational displays are also offered, as are opportunities to sign up for volunteer activities consistent with your interests. It is a day to learn, to share knowledge, to become acquainted with other like-minded people who are passionate about caring for our special Islands and the surrounding Salish Sea.

Sound Waters is held the first Saturday in February, at the Coupeville Middle and High Schools. For details, and a copy of the Sound Waters 2008 brochure, see Sound Waters Central - 2008

See below for Schedule, Directions, and list of presentations.

Registration is now closed

 

Schedule - Saturday, February 2, 2008

Directions

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle ...

This Year's Presentations at a Glance

Keynote Address

A Bold New Approach to Saving Puget Sound
Is a healthy Puget Sound within our reach? A Puget Sound with plentiful fish and shellfish that are safe to eat, where our kids can swim without fear of illness, and where whales, diving ducks and salmon continue to grace our Island waters? After many years of concerted efforts to clean up pollution, protect habitat and bring back some of the Sound's best known species from the brink of extinction, the answer is yes, if ......

by David Dicks, Executive Director, Puget Sound Partnership

Presentations

There will be three presentation sessions (A, B, and C) during the day.
The following list is organized by topic category for your convenience
 

Island History

"Ferry Tales" NEW
Ferry Tales is a collection of stories - historical and contemporary - of all the strange and wonderful things that happen on ferry boats. Listen to stories of the boats, the people who sail on them and the people who run them. Presenter Jill Johnson [C08]
Archaeology of Whidbey Island
What archaeological resources does Whidbey Island have? What do they tell us and are they in danger in the modern world? Find out from a local archaeology consultant. Presenter Gary Wessen [C01]
Cama Beach State Park
Learn about Cama Beach State Park. It was a Native American encampment site for 2000 years, then an auto-court resort for 55 years. What will the state offer to add to the history of this site? Presenters Jeff Wheeler and Senator Mary Margaret Haugen [A02]
Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve NEW
Ebey's Landing is the first historical reserve in our nation. The uniqueness of its formation, continued success, and the partnerships involved will be discussed, as well as the goals of the Reserve. Presenter Mark Preiss [B04]

Island Living

Beach Watcher Training - An Overview
Learn about the unique area in which you live. WSU Beach Watcher Training is a worthwhile commitment - 100 hours of expert training from top professionals. Presenter Kristen Cooley [B02]
Care and Feeding of Septic Systems
Learn how to keep your septic system from menacing your property, your pocketbook and your environment. Presenters Janet Hall and Kathleen Parvin [A03]
Emergency Planning for Individuals and Families NEW
What supplies do you need, what preparations should you make before "the Big One"? Get answers to these important questions. Presenter Alan Whitman [C06]
Groundwater and Wells in Island County
Learn about the geology, distribution and origins of our aquifer, as well as the threats to our groundwater health and availability, and the local regulations designed to protect this irreplaceable resource. Presenter Doug Kelly [C10]
Homeowners Guide to Building a Sustainable House NEW
Learn about resources and options, from site preparation to solar, to build a green home as your own contractor. Presenters Janet Hall and Nicole Luce [B07]
Kayaking in Island County NEW
Sea kayak the Pacific Northwest and do it safely. Kayaking can be a lifestyle for all ages. Presenter Drew Dixon [C11]
Local Water Hazards for Boaters, Sailors, Kayakers
Learn the effects and hazards of wind on currents, and how to predict the roughest waters and Deception Pass hazards. Identify two main fog types, how to cross shipping lanes, and avoid rocks and shallow areas. Presenter Doug Bishop [A08]
Low Impact Development For a Better Environment and Neighborhoods
Low impact development (LID) can help us accommodate growth while maintaining a healthy environment. Come learn how you can incorporate LID into building projects. Presenter Linda Lyshall [B09]
Renewable Energy in the Northwest
Is it time to kick the hydrocarbon habit and use more renewable energy? This class is an overview of the various renewable energy options available in the Pacific Northwest, including site evaluation, selection criteria, current state of the technology, and incentives. Presenter Kelly Keilwitz [C14]
The 13 State Parks of Island County
Discover and explore the diversity of the State Parks on Whidbey and Camano Islands. Understand their history, their management, and plans for their future. Presenter Jack Hartt [B13]
Where the Hot Spots Are! (Fishing off Whidbey Beaches) NEW
This class will cover fishing equipment, techniques, time, tides, and locations appropriate for fly-fishing from the beaches of Whidbey Island. Presenters Kent Hodges and Neal Sims [B16]

Marine Life

An Orca Family History
Love those magnificent orcas? We'll review the scientific knowledge of orca natural history and share some glimpses into the family life of the Southern Resident orcas. Presenters Susan Berta and Howard Garrett [B01]
Creosote Awareness in Puget Sound NEW
Topics will include history of Puget Sound Creosote Awareness Project, Whidbey Island's first clean-up, identification and amounts of creosote debris on the beaches, and ongoing removal efforts. Presenter Tony Frantz [C03]
Derelict Fishing Gear in Puget Sound: The Hidden Killer
Derelict fishing gear is abundant in Puget Sound, entangling and trapping mammals, birds, fish and invertebrates and damaging habitat. Learn about the NW Straits Commission's comprehensive, no-fault program to remove the derelict gear, and find out how you can become involved. Presenter Jeff June [B03]
Dungeness Crab Fisheries, Biology and Management
Our Dungeness crab fisheries have changed in the past decade. A WA Dept of Fish & Wildlife expert will examine these changes and the biology of this iconic crustacean. Presenter Don Velasquez [C04]
Eel Grass and Spartina (Good Grass/ Bad Grass)
Native eelgrass and the invasive cord grass Spartina are hot topics in estuary restoration. This presentation will compare the two grasses and cover recent research and efforts at restoration and eradication. Presenter Susan Wood [C05]
From Kelp to Crabs: An Introduction to Marine Species of the Pacific Northwest
View photography covering some of the major groups of marine organisms found in the Pacific Northwest, with an emphasis on showing organisms in their natural environment. Presenter Jon Gross [A05]
Green Tide Seaweed Blooms in Penn Cove NEW
What is a "Green Tide"? Seaweed blooms on Penn Cove Beaches will be described and methods used to identify and survey the algae and assessment of local water quality will be demonstrated. Presenter Kathy Van Alstyne [C09]
Growing Shellfish in Your Front Yard
Clams, oysters and mussels, oh my! Which will grow on your beach? What culture techniques will keep them from being swept away? Learn to safely harvest shellfish for your own consumption, or start a small farm. Presenter Teri King [B06]
Juvenile Salmon in the Whidbey Basin Nearshore: The Role of "Pocket Estuaries"
Explore how juvenile salmon use the shoreline habitats and pocket estuaries of the Whidbey Basin. The discussion will consider protection and restoration of these unique habitats. Presenter Kurt Fresh [B08]
Marine Mammals of Puget Sound
Learn about the natural history of our local marine mammals, whales, porpoises, seals and sea lions, how we are affecting their habitat and why they are stranding on our beaches. Presenter Sandy Dubpernell [A09]
Meet Your Intertidal Neighbors
There's more on our beaches than barnacles and mussels! Beach and water enthusiasts will learn about intertidal animals. Presenters Mary Jo Adams and Rick Blank [A10]
Oiled Wildlife Response in the Pacific Northwest
It takes more than a bottle of Dawn . . . A close look at the components of an effective oiled wildlife response in the Pacific Northwest and Washington State in particular. Presenter Chris Battaglia [C13]
Penn Cove Shellfish Farming
What are those structures floating in the water? Below the surface of Penn Cove is a farm where the "crops" needn't be sown, fertilized, medicated or irrigated. Presenter Ian Jefferds [A12]
Plastic Debris: The Pacific Gyre NEW
Picture a revolving island twice the size of Texas, made of plastic debris from the North Pacific Rim. Plastics have a severe impact on the marine ecosystem. Learn what needs to be done to stop this plastic plague from spreading. Presenter Chrissy McLean [A13]
Rosario - Of Legends and Tide Pools
Get your feet wet in the history, culture, fragility and stewardship of Rosario Beach and Deception Pass State Park. Presenter Sammye Kempbell [C15]
Safe Harvest of Shellfish; Biotoxins and Water Quality
Learn of the public health issues involved with protecting shellfish habitat and preserving water quality for safe shellfish harvest. The discussion will include Holmes Harbor. Presenter Kathleen Parvin [C16]
Salmon In Island County's Nearshore
What salmon recovery projects are happening on Whidbey and Camano Islands? Hear about habitat assessments, protection efforts and restoration projects. Presenter Kim Bredensteiner [A15]
Straight Talk About the Seafood You Eat NEW
Where does the seafood you buy in local food stores and eat in local restaurants come from? How is it caught? What's the difference between farmed and wild? Which fish are harvested sustainably? Presenter Pete Granger [B12]
Undersea Denizens of the Sound
Most people have no idea of the incredible diversity of marine life that inhabits the water "a stones throw" from the shore line. This presentation is photography representative of the critters that populate Puget Sound in general and specifically Island County. Presenter Jim Ramaglia [B14]

Plant Life

Gardening on Puget Sound Bluffs
Discuss practical native plant gardening tips for owners concerned with both bluff stability and views. Get plant lists, purchasing sources, planting and survival techniques for beautiful, water-wise and stabilizing buffers. Presenters Duane and Sue Hoekstra [B05]
Native Plants of Whidbey Island NEW
Watch and discuss a slide presentation of plant communities and native plants of Whidbey Island. Presenter Dick Ambrose [C12]
Native Plants of the Pacific Northwest
Meet some of the terrific plants that are native to our region. Learn how they grow in their native environment and how to incorporate them into your garden. Presenter June Davis [A11]
Protecting Island County's Natural Habitats
Learn how the Whidbey Camano Land Trust is permanently protecting wildlife habitat, and how land protection and stewardship efforts are ensuring the health and connectivity of our Island's natural systems. Presenter Pat Powell [A14]
Septic System Landscaping NEW
Is your septic system causing a landscaping challenge? Learn the ins and outs of septic system landscaping for optimal performance of the system and to create a pleasing landscape. Presenter Teri King [C17]
Wild Mushrooms
Are you curious about the mushrooms in your yard and in the forests of Western Washington? Learn which mushrooms are edible, and how fungi interact with your trees and plants. Presenters Scott and Kathleen Chase [C18]

The Earth

Coastal Bluffs and Beaches
Meet a guy who really likes "Weather", the wilder the better! Learn about coastal geologic processes on Whidbey and Camano Islands. Talk about shoreline erosion, beach formation and how our coastline changes over time. Presenter Hugh Shipman [A04]
Estuaries and Human History NEW
Estuaries were the cradle of human culture. Explore how they and climate are changing and how those changes will affect our civilization. Presenter David Henry [C07]
Impact of Global Warming on Washington NEW
Global Warming and climate change are happening now. This presentation will provide an overview of climate change impacts to the Pacific Northwest and the Puget Sound. Presenter Laura Whitely Binder [A06]
Nuclear Energy - Environmental Considerations NEW
Explore the issues associated with providing electricity for the next generation from an environmental perspective. Various options will be discussed and compared. Presenter Daniel Moon [B10]
Tidal Energy Exploration in Puget Sound NEW
What is the potential of tidal energy development in Puget Sound from a technological, economic and environmental standpoint? Learn the current status of Snohomish PUD's efforts to explore the tidal energy resource in the Sound. Presenter Craig Collar [A16]
Wetlands of Island County: an Overview
What kind of wetlands are present in Island County? What 'makes' a wetland, why is there such a concern about protecting them, where are they and where can I go to see some? Presenter Dyanne Sheldon [A17]
Wetlands of Island County
What are wetlands? Why are they important? How are wetlands doing in Island County and Puget Sound? How are they protected? Matt will answer these questions and more. Presenter Matt Nash [B15]

Wildlife

Bats - Our Backyard Allies
The much-maligned bat is a good neighbor and is ecologically important worldwide. Learn about bat biology and diversity and about Washington's native bat species. Presenter Sarah Schmidt [A01]
Birds of Whidbey Island NEW
Would you like to know more about Whidbey's wonderful winged life? View colorful close up photographs of Whidbey Island's amazing birds and where to look for them. Presenters Craig and Joy Johnson [C02]
In Harmony with Nature - One Yard at a Time NEW
Sick about losing wildlife habitat? Restore wildlife corridors by creating a backyard wildlife habitat in your yard that can link to your neighbors’ yards and community areas. Presenters Val Schroeder and Jean Bach [A07]
Raptors in the Reserve
Learn about raptors found in Ebey's Landing Reserve, field ID, hot spots, and little-known facts. Bring your questions. Presenter Pat Cozine [B11]
Whidbey Pigeon Guillemots NEW
1,000 guillemots breed in the bluffs around Whidbey Island. These black and white seabirds with bright red feet indicate the health of our marine environment. Come learn about these entertaining seabirds. Presenter Frances Wood [B17]
Wildlife Art
Award winning professional wildlife artist offers a behind the scenes look at how he creates wildlife paintings. Presenter Bart Rulon [A18]
Wildlife Photography
Award-winning wildlife photographer reveals the tricks and stories behind samples of his work. He describes equipment, locations, and techniques for getting better photos of our local wildlife. Presenter Bart Rulon [B18]
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WSU Extension - Island County, P.O. Box 5000 Coupeville, WA 98239-5000 USA    360-679-7327    Contact Us