Making the environment a priority in 2010

http://www.gigharborguide.com/


Gig Harbor has, over the past few years, made a commitment to the local environment through local programs, projects and events. Both at the grassroots citizen level and the city/county government level. Some of the recent developments include;

• Completion of the Cushman Trail Extension in partnership with Pierce County
  
• A $1500 Lu Winsor Grant award for the 2010 Donkey Creek Chum Festival


• A $1.4M Federal Transportation Enhancement Project grant for the Donkey Creek Day-lighting Project.


• Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group chosen to begin work on the Donkey Creek Day Lighting Project (awaiting Council Approval).


• Release of a new book published by Harbor WildWatch called "Puget Sound Wildside" featuring original illustrations and education on our Puget Sound marine environment (no available at the Gig Harbor Visitor Information Center, Gig Harbor's Mostly Books and the Seattle Aquarium as well as other locations.
  
• 
  Ongoing environmental and recreation partnerships between PenMet Parks, Key Pen Parks, Envirocorp and other working to develop and/or restore such places as the Sehmel Homestead and the Wollochet Estuary Parks
  

Gig Harbor recently caught the attention of Dr. Usha Varanasi, Acting SW Fisheries Science Center Science & Research Director at NOAA and NW Fisheries Science Center Science & Research Director who wrote, "Science is an integral part of our daily lives, from the safety of foods we eat to the health of our ecosystems that provide clean water for drinking and recreation. The (Donkey Creek) Chum Festival is an excellent venue for bringing people together to exchange information on the science that informs society on important environmental issues such as recovery of salmon and health of the habitats that supports them."

Gig Harbor and the greater peninsula region are committed to the environment and preserving our local eco-systems for future generations. There are lots of ways you can get involved. Below is an article written by Erin Ewald of the Pierce Conservation District about last year's Donkey Creek Chum Festival. She does a wonderful job describing the range of organizations, activities and interests that come together. I have taken the liberty of running her article in its entirety.

DONKEY CREEK CHUM FESTIVAL 2009 - by Erin Ewald

Every once in a while a plan comes together. After two years of struggling to time the tides, coordinate partner organizations, address advertising logistics, and cross our fingers for a break in the weather, the third annual Donkey Creek Chum Festival went off without a hitch.

A beautiful October day greeted the canoe and kayak racers at the Austin Creek Estuary in Gig Harbor as they prepared to paddle around fishing vessels and each other in a mad dash to the finish line. Back on land, the Gig Harbor Fisherman and local Kiwanis club grilled up tasty salmon burgers and hot dogs. Lined up in front of the new Harbor History Museum, local organizations celebrated this year's accomplishment to improve water quality, protect habitat, and increase stewardship of Puget Sound. Throughout the day, event participants enjoyed opportunities to make their own salmon art, time themselves donning boating survival gear, learn how to fly fish, and investigate interpretive touch tanks displaying urchins, anemones, and sea cucumber. Additional booths provided event guests with energy saving tools like compact fluorescent light bulbs, as well as information on project underway that are designed to improve local habitat and open waterways. Residents were informed of park locations in order to encourage them to gt outside and view wildlife and enjoy the facilities. Opportunities were also provided for residents to get involved in next year's activities.

Near the end of the day, after the race, participants were awarded their ribbons and the booths were packed up, the event sponsors gathered together to note the only thing missing at the party. Across the street at Donkey Creek Park, the stream was empty of returning chum salmon. While the celebration was held a little too early in the season to witness the salmon's winter arrival, the success of the event remained clear. Each group that participated in the Donkey Creek Chum Festival is dedicated to ensuring the health of local waters and the resources of Puget Sound. Without clean water, the associated fishing, recreation, economy and intrinsic value is lost. As Paul Ancich, a local fisherman and event sponsor noted (editors note - Paul is the founder of the Donkey Creek Chum Festival), the ripple effect that one person's actions can spark is incredible. The willingness of a community to rally around a fish is undeniable.