December 2007

Snohomish Sound Stewards Get The Job Done

People For Puget Sound welcomed 27 new Sound Stewards in the first year of the program in Snohomish County.

Originating in King County along the banks of the Duwamish River, the program trains volunteers in principals of habitat restoration, biological monitoring techniques, and volunteer management skills.

Snohomish Sound Stewards this year contributed 287 hours assisting volunteers as team leaders at restoration events and conducting annual vegetation monitoring at two of our newly adopted Snohomish County sites. 

“It’s an amazing program”, says Keeley O’Connell, People For Puget Sound’s North Sound Habitat Restoration Coordinator. “These Stewards are very engaged and committed.  It’s like having additional staff people at a restoration event, and that really benefits the volunteers who come out to help for the day.”

“It gets me out of my office,” said steward Gordy Graham of Mukilteo. “I’m doing something consistent with what I hold to be most important.  And I’m meeting new people, many of whom have become friends.”

“It's added to my own natural resource background, water quality knowledge and awareness,” said Charles Johnstone of Marysville. “It's given me a chance to meet people who share concerns and passions for better environmental stewardship.”

Charles was a team leader at the Union Slough restoration site in Marysville in June helping 100 local 7th graders. “I think working with young people is one of if not the most invaluable part of our efforts,”  he noted.

This summer Snohomish Sound Stewards helped manage 10 restoration work parties that hosted over 450 volunteers from the community. 

“I most enjoyed the planting on Jetty Island because I think it was the most significant,” said steward Tom Murphy of Edmonds. “It is also my favorite site.”

Stewards Katie Kelleher and her nine-year old son Conor agree. “We have to say Jetty Island is our favorite site,” said Katie.  “We love working on Jetty and we love playing on Jetty.” 

“ I appreciate what People For Puget Sound has done in setting up the Sound Stewards training, getting us out there, getting us trained, and providing us with some awesome volunteers to work with,” added Katie.  

According to Keeley, the stewards are real heroes in the community. “I love working with the stewards,” said Keeley. “They care so much for these sites and the work we’re doing, and they have fun doing it.”  

“The best part about the Sound Stewardship program is that everyone here is doing it because they want to,” said steward Becky Hudson of Everett. “It is very rewarding and promising for the future to see so many committed people out there making a difference.”

You too can join in the fun and help make a difference.  Check our online calendar of events for upcoming Sound Stewardship trainings and events in your area and contact Jamie Wine (206) 382-7007 to get involved.

Come get muddy with us and feel good about doing something good for Puget Sound!

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