Visitors to many parks and waysides along the Island County shoreline soon will find something new.
It is shoreline educational signage developed by the Island County Marine Resources Committee (MRC). The first such signs appeared recently at Coupeville Wharf and Clinton Beach. Additional signs have been delivered and will go up soon at other locations throughout the county describing the Admiralty Inlet and Saratoga Passage marine stewardship areas. In coming years the MRC expects to add signage at each site to more fully describe local conditions.
“Purpose of the signage is to increase the public’s enjoyment and understanding of our shoreline,” said Dan Pedersen, MRC communications manager. “We are convinced that as people learn more, they will want to do more around their homes and beaches to benefit marine life and habitat.”
Clinton artist Kris Wiltse designed and painted the signs. Pedersen, of Langley, wrote the text.
For those who live along the shore, Pedersen said a great way to learn more is to join the MRC’s voluntary Island County Shore Stewards program, www.shorestewards.org/island. The MRC also works closely with the large Washington State University (WSU) Beach Watchers program, www.beachwatch
ers.wsu.edu, another excellent resource for those who want to learn and make a difference.
Last fall the MRC and Beach Watchers jointly published a field guide to the Island County shoreline, Getting to the Water’s Edge. The local best-seller is for sale at the offices of WSU Extension in Coupeville and Camano Annex, online at www.island.wsu.edu, and from many Island County bookstores and shops. It presents a wealth of information about Island County’s beaches and further describes the values and goals of the MRC’s stewardship education effort.
Whidbey Island locations will be West Beach, Cornet Bay, Oak Harbor, Fort Ebey, Coupeville Wharf, Fort Casey, Keystone, Freeland Park, Double Bluff, Langley, Maxwelton Beach, Possession Beach and Clinton Beach.
Camano Island locations for the MRC’s new interpretive signage will be English Boom, Iverson Spit, Cama Beach and Camano Island State Park.
