Orca Recovery Day
On October 19 at sites across the Puget Sound area, communities came together for a volunteer day to work on projects that support our endangered resident orcas. At the Lay Wildrose Estuary in Gig Harbor, Great Peninsula Conservancy volunteers planted native nootka rose and salmonberry on the estuary shoreline. A very rainy day didn’t stop people from coming out and getting muddy to help restore habitat that is used by the forage fish and salmon that orcas rely on for survival. In advance of the event, the GPC stewardship team removed blackberry and brought in erosion fabric and sandbags to make sure the planting was a success!
Grovers Creek Tree Planting
On November 2nd, the Kiwanis Club of Greater Poulsbo collaborated with GPC to organize a tree-planting event for a local middle-school Earth Steward Club at GPC’s Grovers Creek Preserve. Armed with bright orange vests, shovels, and a variety of native trees, the kids worked together to clear brush, build habitat piles, and plant trees. Of special importance, a grand fir was planted to honor the memory of GPC member Elisabeth Bondy, who passed away in 2019. Elisabeth cared deeply about local conservation and joined GPC’s Legacy Society, leaving a generous bequest to continue the work to protect the places we all love on the peninsula.
Salmon Tours 2019
Once again, Great Peninsula Conservancy was thrilled to play a part in the 2019 Kitsap Salmon Tours by hosting a site at the mouth of Chico Creek. Despite the low rain these last few weeks, 70-90 chum salmon filled the estuary, waiting for the waters to rise even more to pass through the culvert. A large restoration project is in the works at this site, which is owned by the Suquamish Tribe with a conservation easement owned by GPC. The plan to remove the culvert running under Highway 3 and build a bridge will open the stream passage. Chico Creek boasts the largest chum runs in the county!
