Island County March 2026 Natural Resources Newsletter Features Keynote, Volunteer Opportunities

Island County’s March 2026 Natural Resources newsletter, a five-page bulletin, highlights free shoreline assistance through the Shore Friendly program and lists staff contacts for volunteers and committee participation. The newsletter names Jen Schmitz as the primary contact for questions at J.Schmitz@islandcountywa.gov or 360-914-0841 and promotes “Request a FREE site visit today!” for shoreline property owners facing aging bulkheads and sea level rise.

The newsletter summarizes a community day tied to Sound Waters University that capped off with an uplifting keynote by Dr. Elin Kelsey urging residents to “choose hope through empowerment in climate justice.” The wrap-up language in the bulletin reads, “This fun day will celebrate nature, promote environmental awareness, and inspire action towards a sustainable future!” Partner tables at the event included the Island County Marine Resources Committee (MRC) and the Island County Department of Natural Resources, and the newsletter notes Sound Waters University will return in February 2027. The community day took place March 1, 2026.

The Island County Marine Resources Committee is described in the newsletter as an advisory body to county government established in 1999 that carries out scientific monitoring, restoration projects, and community education. The MRC holds monthly meetings on the first Tuesday of every month and the bulletin reproduces a multi-month speaker lineup, including Nancy Conard presenting the Coupeville Reclaimed Water Project and the UW Luce Fellow Team offering a “Progress Report: Salmon Recovery Adaptive Management” on March 18. The bulletin also references an October MRC meeting held Oct. 7, 2025 at WSU Extension, 406 N Main St., Coupeville, with contact Elise Adams at (360) 678-7892 and e.adams@islandcountywa.gov; one exported copy of the agenda showed e.adams@islancountywa.gov (missing the “d”) while the county domain is islandcountywa.gov.

Island County DNR activity listed in the newsletter includes an educational booth and staff-led beach walks to “learn about the nearshore environment,” and the bulletin records a Jan. 3 presentation by Dawn Pucci titled “Sea Level Rise and Storm Surge.” The newsletter reproduces Shore Friendly outreach that warns, “Hard armor (like bulkheads) has a limited lifespan, and with sea level rise, many structures are becoming less effective and more expensive to maintain. They can even increase erosion for your neighbors!” The Shore Friendly services are listed verbatim as “Feasibility consultations,” “Soft shore & vegetation design,” “Permit assistance,” and “Help with finding financial assistance.”

Monitoring and program notes in the newsletter mention the Pollution Identification And Correction (PIC) Program, stating it “has been working diligently to identify sources of fecal pollution in the South Holmes,” with that geographic reference presented as in the bulletin. The newsletter also points readers toward county programs such as the Conservation Futures Fund and lists Jessica Reed at j.reed@islandcountywa.gov for questions about serving the community in advisory roles.

Local policy advocacy and county planning items appear alongside the newsletter content via partner group excerpts urging adoption of specific protections: calls include adopting the Deer Lagoon Preserve Management Plan as proposed by Carlos Andersen, mandating a transparent application of Best Available Science to land-use decisions, and amending NL 11.4 to “encourage climate-smart forestry.” The bulletin references recent Board of County Commissioners and Planning Commission discussions and quotes the state Growth Management Act climate goal: “Climate change and resiliency. Ensure that comprehensive plans, development regulations, and regional policies, plans, and strategies adapt to and mitigate the effects of a changing climate.” It also notes BOCC and Planning Commission meeting dates of Jan. 21, 2026 at 10:25 am and Jan. 21, 2026 at 6 pm respectively.

Residents seeking direct action are pointed to regular MRC meetings on the first Tuesday of each month, the upcoming Sound Waters University session in February 2027, Shore Friendly free site visits coordinated through Jen Schmitz at 360-914-0841, and program contacts including Elise Adams for MRC agendas and Jessica Reed for Conservation Futures inquiries. The newsletter packages volunteering, technical assistance, and multiple monitoring and policy opportunities into a compact five-page briefing intended to connect Island County residents with immediate ways to engage in shoreline and marine stewardship.