Beards Cove Acquisition and Restoration project restored nearshore and estuarine habitat in Lynch Cove, on the Union River Estuary, at the toe of Hood Canal on an estuary site filled c. 1973. This estuary provides habitat vital to ESA-listed Puget Sound Chinook, Hood Canal summer chum and winter steelhead. This acquisition/restoration project covered adjacent Beards Cove Community Organization (BCCO), Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), and Great Peninsula Conservancy (GPC)-owned sites. This project took an area of the estuary that was filled around 1973 for BCCO recreational purposes, and returned it to its original estuarine state. GPC acquired a 1.9-acre portion of the previous 3.9-acre BCCO site, added this to its larger 96-acre Klingel Refuge, and restored a 12-acre area spanning the three ownerships. 2,281 feet of tidal channels, 1,754 feet of shoreline, and 7.2 acres of filled tidal marsh/estuarine habitat was restored to benefit Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed Hood Canal Summer Chum and Puget Sound Chinook salmon species. The restoration project used design plans developed with 2012 SRFB (#12-1312) funding. The project removed 46,000 cubic yards of fill, a derelict swimming pool, picnic pavilion, bathhouse and play equipment, a septic system, sheds, asphalt paving, and invasive plant species; restored grade to historic conditions prior to 1973 fill; restored side-channel habitat; installed LWD; and planted native plant species. 5.4 acres of invasive plants were removed and replaced with 12,000 native plants/shrubs/trees. A temporary irrigation system was installed to aid in plant survivability. 1,754 feet of shoreline and 2,281 feet of tidal channels, and 7.2 acres of near-shore/estuarine habitat was restored. Signs were installed to tell the story of the history of the site and its restoration, and acknowledge three decades of conservation and restoration work by state agencies, local land trusts, the Pacific Northwest Salmon Center and the North Mason School District, adding up to over 650 acres of preserved sub-estuarine, nearshore, riparian, and adjacent upland habitat. GPC completed a Stewardship Plan for the 1.9-acre acquisition, adding this property to the annual monitoring protocol for GPC’s 96-acre Klingel Refuge. The Beards Cove Restoration project provided the missing piece that re-established connectivity among the estuarine habitats running along the northern shore of Lynch Cove, creating 1.7 miles of contiguous, preserved estuarine habitat, vital to multiple ESA-listed stocks.