From the Washington Shore Stewards Website. Read more about how you can get involved at: http://shorestewards.org

See Also: Shore Stewards Newsletter: http://www.shorestewards.org/island/newsletter/ 
Scott Chase, Shore Stewards Coordinator, Island County, 121 N. East Camano Drive, Camano Island, WA 98282, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
 (360) 387-3443, ext 258

Creating healthier shores
for wildlife and people

 Washington Shore Stewards are waterfront and stream-side property owners who share ideas, information and resources to enrich the beauty and abundance of our shoreline properties. By understanding and applying a few habitat-friendly concepts we are creating healthier waters and shores for birds, fish and wildlife. We are leaving something better to those who will follow.

Our membership includes homeowners, renters and residents who live along the shoreline or in communities with shared access to the beach, or who have a river or stream on their property. It also includes farmers and forest owners, parks, port districts, cities, businesses and others with land along shores and streams. We learn 10 habitat-friendly guidelines and voluntarily apply as many as we can when caring for our beaches, bluffs, gardens and homes. In turn, we receive official recognition as Shore Stewards.

We love our beautiful shores and waterways, and understand as owners and users that we are the stewards who will pass them to the next generation. We are learning all we can so we may care for them wisely and pass them along in even better condition.

Shore Stewards is open to those who live along streams, who own or rent shoreline property, or who live in communities with shared beach access in Clallam, Island, Jefferson, Kitsap, Mason, Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom counties. Members in each county learn 10 Guidelines for Shoreline Living.  

What are the 10 guidelines for shoreline living?

1. Use water wisely.
2. Know and practice all the elements of septic maintenance.
3. Control pests wisely.
4. Manage water runoff.
5. Encourage native plants and trees.
6. Know the permit procedures for shoreline development.
7. Develop on bluffs with care.
8. Use soft armoring techniques when appropriate.
9. Respect intertidal life while on the beach and boating.
10. Preserve eelgrass beds and forage fish spawning habitat.

Once I join, what do I have to do?

Once you submit your application, you are not required to do anything but be a conscientious shoreline resident. We encourage you to make future decisions about your property based on our 10 guidelines for shoreline living. We may mail you periodic survey forms to gauge the impact and value of the program. We want to help you be the best Shore Steward possible, so your feedback is vital.

We will also invite you to participate in special workshops and field trips conducted by local and regional experts in landscaping, ecology, water conservation, shoreline development, wildlife biology and more. Participation in these events is entirely optional.

What is the program's background?

Modeled after the National Wildlife Federation's successful Backyard Wildlife Habitat program, Shore Stewards was developed from the ground up with an emphasis on community-based marine shoreline protection.

What are the future plans for the program?

Since its launch on Camano Island in 2003, Shore Stewards has spread from Island County to Kitsap, Mason, Jefferson, Snohomish, Skagit, Clallam and Whatcom counties. We expect it will soon reach the remaining counties of Puget Sound.