Citing frustration with restrictive policies and conflicting visions, members of Island County Beach Watchers are breaking free from Washington State University Extension.

“The university is very clear. The first priority is the university, the second is the project and the third is the members,” said Derek Pritchard, president of the Island County Beach Watchers board of directors.

“We see it differently.”

The group will remain under WSU Extension stewardship until Dec. 31. After that, the group will become an independent organization but retain close ties with Lighthouse Environmental Programs, the nonprofit through which it conducts all fundraising.

“The idea is that the membership has reached a maturity that it can run its own business,” Pritchard said. “We want to address the needs of the community and the desires of the membership.”

Tim Lawrence, director of WSU Extension in Island County, agreed that there has been some tension with members of Beach Watchers who have found it frustrating to constantly have to get approval from WSU leadership in Pullman.

In some cases, the university and Beach Watchers were unable to reach agreements on simple things like venues, speakers or training.

“Now they can do what they want to do without restriction,” Lawrence said.

Beach Watchers is celebrating its 25th anniversary and 20th year organizing Sound Waters, its annual fundraising seminar focused on environmental issues.

“It’s easier for them to plan this on their own,” Lawrence said. “We wish them well.”

Another extension group, the Lighthouse Docents, left WSU oversight starting Jan. 1 and is now under the management of the state Parks and Recreation Department.

Lawrence said in both cases, the individual organization grew to where they no longer needed the assistance of the WSU Extension.

Similar to the Master Gardener program, an agreement between WSU Extension and its former programs will allow for sharing resources while still allowing them the autonomy they crave.

Judy Feldman, who worked within WSU Extension programs for more than 10 years, said that there has been a shift in the university’s priorities over the last several years.

“It’s a different climate now,” Feldman said.

Ten years ago, the program was under the leadership of Don Meehan, a man who prioritized finding grant money and supporting volunteerism, according to Feldman.

“It was a different time at the extension,” Feldman said. “Each director brings their own personality and priorities. The current director just has a different perspective with more focus on academic resources. That’s not bad, it’s just different.”

Feldman served as the interim director of Beach Watchers for a year and a half during her tenure and is now the director of Greenbank Farm Management Group.

At the height of its popularity in 2004-06, the county’s Beach Watchers was the “poster child” for WSU Extension programs state-wide, Feldman said. The organization enjoyed an influx of grant money at the time, both due to a popularity of environmental issues and Meehan’s dedication to seeking out and attaining funding.

“It was a time of heightened funding for all things maritime ecology,” Feldman said. “(Meehan) saw that as his role. Don was the master at finding the money.”

The group took some heat from the public at the time because they thought state funding was better spent elsewhere.

“There was some frustration,” Feldman said. “’Why was Beach Watchers getting so much support?’”

Since that time, grant funding has all but disappeared and the group relies almost exclusively on fundraising.

“In the early days, many grants were forthcoming,” Pritchard said. “That has pretty much dried up.”

Despite its 580 members, only 220 are active and Beach Watchers only raises about $50,000 annually.

“Our ability to raise funds is not fine,” Pritchard said. “We’re working to strengthen our capacity.”

With its new independence, the group can pursue donations from companies like Shell Oil Company —which already gives to WSU. The group can also plan fundraising events and activities without WSU approval.

Beach Watchers director Barbara Bennett was  unavailable for comment.

Bennett will retain her position as director through the end of the year, but it’s unclear what role she would play in the new organization.

“None of us like change unless it’s what we are initiating,” Feldman said. “I respect how the Beach Watchers are handling the situation. Their priority is how they can continue to engage and protect this community that they love.”