Timber Talk and a Park Tour - Tues, April 19th

The Key Peninsula, Gig Harbor and Islands Watershed Council will be at Homestead Park in Gig Harbor on Tuesday, April 19 from 4-6 PM. The Council will be hosting and informational meeting with a representative from the Natural Resource Conservation Service discussing the process and eligibility requirements for the Forestry Conservation Stewardship Program, now available for private forest landowners in the Puget Sound area. This is a voluntary program working with property owners to provide them with the tools and resources to improve, manage and develop a sustainable plan for their timber properties. A park tour will follow this discussion.

For directions or additional information, please contact Erin Ewald (253) 884-9474 or Barbara Ann Smolko at (253) 798-6156

A Big Change to Gig Harbor

As of Wednesday, March 16, 2011, the outfall from Gig Harbor's Wastewater Treatment Plant will no longer discharge to Gig Harbor but will, instead discharge into Colvos Passage.  It should be fun to see how the water quality and critters in the Harbor react to the change.

If you're interested, join city officials and staff for the ceremonial valve turning on Wednesday, March 16. The event will celebrate the completion of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Outfall Extension Project. It will be held at the Bogue Viewing Platform, 8803 N. Harborview Dr. at 3 p.m.

The City of Gig Harbor began planning for this $6.1 million, four-phase project more than 10 years ago.
Since 2008, the construction for new outfall pipe included replacing the old 10-inch pipe with 24-inch high density polyethylene pipes.

April is Puget Sound Starts Here Month!

Mark your calendars…April is Puget Sound Starts Here Month!

There are a host of workshops, events, volunteer opportunities and more planned for you and your family throughout the month. Visit this site www.piercecountywa.org/pssh to see the growing list of things to do. Be sure and save the link in your Favorites folder so you can check back often for updates and additions!

Pier Into the Night with Harbor Wildwatch, March 19th

Harbor Wildwatch is hosting another of their wonderful Pier Into the Night events! Mark your calendar for March 19th "about" 7:30 PM! Folks will be peering into the night waters from Jerisich Dock in downtown Gig Harbor to see what lurks below.

Once darkness descends on the harbor, lights are placed in the water around the dock drawing out all manner of water creatures. Buckets are used to safely bring up samples. Harbor Wildwatch volunteers will be on hand with identification and information about the visiting creatures.

In past Harbor Wildwatch Pier Into the Night events all kinds of expected and surprising marine invertebrates have shown up. You may see jellyfish, squid, tube worms, sea slugs, shrimp and more, in addition to any number of interesting fish.

Grab your jackets and spend an evening seeing things in a whole new light.

Wild Edible Plant Programs at Penrose Park

Looking for a sure way to spot wild healthy greens? You are in luck. Penrose Point State Park will be hosting two "Wild Edible Plant Programs" at 1:30 PM on Saturday, March 5th and Saturday, March 19th. The meeting spot will be in the big parking lot at 321 158th Ave., Key Peninsula Highway S in Lakebay. Be sure to call for reservations as each class is limited to 15 people.

Feel free to bring examples of plants you have questions about. The programs are free however donations are welcome and used to keep the park open. For reservations call: 253-884-2514.

(Information courtesy of the Peninsula Gateway)