A CALL FOR Chimacum Creek coho counters has been issued by the North Olympic Salmon Coalition.
The coalition’s annual coho spawner survey training is set for 10 a.m. to noon Friday at the Washington State University Jefferson County Extension Office, 380 Jefferson Street at Point Hudson in Port Townsend.
Volunteer counters have been busy in previous weeks counting the returning numbers of Hood Canal summer chum in Chimacum Creek, but the faster, sleeker coho are in the creek now.
Formerly silver-colored, spawning coho turn shades of maroon on the body and develop greenish-black colored heads.
While in their native streams, the coho search for just the right spot to scratch out a nice redd, or nest in small-to medium-sized gravel and deposit eggs and sperm, passing along the next generation before their own demise.
The opportunity exists to cue up Elton John’s “Circle of Life” from “The Lion King” and enjoy the experience firsthand via Friday’s training.
At the session, coalition members will go over survey and safety protocols, assign teams and survey stretches and issue survey equipment.
No experience is necessary to join the survey team and the coalition boasts many experienced volunteers who are willing and capable of helping new stream surveyors learn the protocol.
Soon after the training — usually around the middle of November — volunteer teams will start surveying the upper stretches of Chimacum Creek from H.J. Carroll Park to Eaglemount.
This is a one-day-per-week commitment, with each survey taking an average of two to four hours to complete.
If you’re interested in joining the survey team, RSVP to Kendra Krantz at outreach@nosc.org or by phoning 360-379-8051.
Plant some grass
I’m talking the legal stuff, here; dune grass, more specifically.
The North Olympic Salmon Coalition has a need for volunteers to assist in the planting of dune grass plugs along Maynard Beach.
Maynard Beach you ask? Well, it’s the name of the beach under restoration at the head of Discovery Bay.
If you passed along U.S. Highway 101 in recent months, you likely saw large construction machinery in place, removing the old railroad trestle and getting things primed for shoreline habitat restoration.
Dune grass communities help to slow down shoreline erosion and stimulate habitat growth.
The volunteer planting session is set from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8.
The coalition will welcome individual planters, but they are seeking large groups, like scouting troops, sports teams, faith-based and other community groups to install the thousands of plugs.
Tools and gloves are provided, with a limited supply.
Volunteers are asked to bring along garden trowels or shovels, if possible.
The event also includes light refreshments and a North Olympic Salmon Coalition staff-led site tour of the newly completed restoration site.
The planting is set in November in the Pacific Northwest, so dress appropriately and bring water, warm beverages and a lunch.
To attend, RSVP by emailing outreach@nosc.org or phoning 360-379-8051.
Fall nature talks
The Port Angeles Library’s fall nature talk series continues tonight with much about mushrooms.
Retired university professor Bryce Kendrick will investigate the mysterious lives of mushrooms and other fungi of the Pacific Northwest in “Now You See Them — Now You Don’t.”
Kendrick has studied fungi for more than 50 years and authored more than 300 mycological publications has been elected a Centenary Fellow of the British Mycological Society and received the Lawson Medal of Canadian Botanical Association for his lifetime contributions.
The series wraps up Tuesday with a discussion of the Wilderness Act led by Ruth Scott of Olympic National Park.
During her presentation, “America’s Enduring Legacy of Wilderness,” Scott will summarize how and why the Wilderness Act came about, its legal implications and the iconic, wild landscapes it protects. Scott also will examine the diversity of wilderness throughout the nation, including the Olympic Wilderness in our backyard.
Check out the pool
This run of wet and windy fall weather has made it easy to pass on heading outside for exercise.
So why not move indoors to a warm location like William Shore Memorial Pool in Port Angeles?
The North Olympic Library System is making this easier, partnering with the pool to make two free pool passes available for checkout.
One pass is for individuals who’d like to try one of the many exercise programs offered at William Shore, including Zumba, water walking and balance and stability classes.
The second pass grants up to six household members access to open swim, lap swim, or shallow/deep swim sessions at the pool.
Patrons may borrow each pass for up to one week.
At this time, these pool passes are only valid at the William Shore Pool in Port Angeles and do not include swimming lessons.
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Outdoors columnist Michael Carman appears here Thursdays and Fridays. He can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5152 or at mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.
