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)

Can Mushrooms Clean Up Puget Sound?

Couldn't resist posting a link to this story!

http://www.nwcn.com/news/environment/Puget-Sound-Solution-Mushrooms-113299614.html

The potential for using mushrooms in treatment has come up before in our discussions about shellfish growing areas.  Here in the KGI area, we've been looking into mushrooms as a potential method for treating the fecal coliform bacteria in livestock waste.  One of the leaders in this effort is Paul Stamets who owns a company called Fungi Perfecti which is based out of Olympia, WA.  He is also the author of Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save The World. 

A Big Thanks!

Thanks to all who attended the 2011 KGI Watershed Council Planning Retreat January 8th. It was a success and each of those attending provided valuable input and direction for the coming year.

Keep an eye on KGI in the year ahead.
It's going to be a good one!

KGI Annual Retreat Time!

Saturday, January 8th, 2011, Key Peninsula, Gig Harbor and Islands (KGI) Watershed Council will come together in a facilitated retreat to review past efforts, better our effectiveness, and set a course for the year ahead. It is always a good and fertile time for ideas, discussion, and determining how our available resources can best assist us as we strive for a healthy watershed.

Opportunities for attaining a healthy watershed take on many forms. KGI serves that purpose in a number of ways.

• Bringing people together.
• Collaborating with our partners on beneficial projects. 
• Providing opportunities for education through speakers at our monthly meetings. 
• Awarding small grants through the Lu Winsor Memorial Grant program.
• Participating in numerous public events.
• Providing workshop opportunities.
• Working toward clean, unpolluted waters; runoff, groundwater, lakes, streams and the Puget Sound.
• If all that isn't enticing enough, we can offer you suggestions on some interesting books and movies too!

With that in mind, spending part of a day with us may be the best choice you make this year. At a minimum it will be an interesting time with some good folks. Give us a try.

Date: Saturday, January 8th, 2011
Time: 11 AM-3 PM
Location: Gig Harbor Library Conference Rm
4424 Point Fosdick Dr. NW
Gig Harbor, WA 98335
Beverages, snacks and lunch will are provided
Directions: http://www.piercecountylibrary.org/map/default.aspx?id=612&marker=5

For questions call:
Erin Ewald (253) 884-9474
Barbara Ann Smolko (253) 798-6156
Chris Schutz (253) 798-7620

Western Oyster Co. Tour

On Tuesday, March 16, 2010, prior to our regularly scheduled monthly KGI Watershed Council meeting. The council will have a tour of Western Oyster Company operations in Purdy (on Burley Lagoon). The tour will be hosted by owner, Jerry Yamashita. This is an opportunity to learn about the history of shellfish harvesting in Puget Sound including the challenges and successes. The council will meet at the Peninsula Light Business Office, 13315 Goodnough Drive NW, Purdy, WA at 1:45pm and carpool to the location. Call Chris at (253) 798-7620 to RSVP.

The council's regular meeting will begin at 4pm at Peninsula Light and will include a discussion about current conditions in Burley Lagoon.

Film Forum: Screening of Extended, Northwest Version of "Poisoned Waters"

Please join the Key Peninsula, Gig Harbor and Islands Watershed Council on January 5^th at the Gig Harbor Library from 6 – 9 p.m. for a special showing of the acclaimed documentary, Poisoned Waters. This particular version includes additional footage taken in the Puget Sound area that was not included in the original, nation-wide airing of this film.

This documentary, filmed by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Hedrick Smith examines the growing hazards to human health and the ecosystem.

The event is free, however seating is limited. Please RSVP to erine@piercecountycd.org or by phone at (253) 884-9474.