Classes will train wetland stewards for Port of Everett

Published 11:00 pm Thursday, March 13, 2008

EVERETT — Are we loving Jetty Island and some of the community’s other public wetlands to death?

That question worries organizers of a group called People for Puget Sound, who hope like-minded folks will help do something about preserving wetlands by attending two upcoming training programs.

The nonprofit group formed a partnership last year with the Port of Everett, which owns Jetty Island and a wetland on Union Slough that is available to the public. The city of Everett operates a popular program at Jetty Island each summer that will be expanded from five days to six this year.

Last year, People for Puget Sound trained 27 volunteers to work on the port properties doing a wide range of activities, including pulling invasive weeds such as Scotch broom and blackberries, making trails, and planting native species. Workers also are keeping records to monitor the effectiveness of their projects, said organizer Keely O’Connell.

About 15 of the trainees from last year are still active, O’Connell said. She’d like to greatly expand the project this year, training stewards who will get an opportunity to work on a restoration program as often as once a month.

“I’m very appreciative of the work they’ve done,” said John Mohr, the port’s executive director.

Noting the organization has members as young as 10 years old working on its projects, port commissioner Connie Niva praised the group for teaching the next generation the importance of protecting wetlands.

Upcoming stewardship trainings

March 27: Classroom training, 6 to 9 p.m. at the Port of Everett, 2911 Bond St., Suite 109, Everett. Field training will follow, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 29 at Union Slough and Jetty Island.

April 3: Classroom training, 6 to 9 p.m. at the Port of Everett, 2911 Bond St. Field training follows 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Kayak Point and Picnic Point.

Contact: Keeley O’Connell, 360-336-1931 or koconnell@pugetsound.org.

Reporter Mike Benbow: 425-339-3459 or benbow@heraldnet.com.