Provide guidance to private citizens and governments that will lead to conservation and preservation of Chinook salmon, forage fish and their critical habitats.

Technical assistance is aimed at managers to keep them knowledgeable about research findings and habitat issues.

Public education is aimed at all age groups of county residents. School children will learn the importance of marine habitats and there will be workshops for landowners to acquaint them with “best management practices” of their property for salmon and forage fish. The “Salmon in the Schools” program is aimed at 4th grade students where they spend a semester learning about Chinook salmon and rearing juveniles for release.

The Lead Entity will interact with county managers to keep them abreast of new information. A web site has been developed but still needs additional work to provide information for anyone with questions regarding the stewardship, conservation and preservation of habitats that are critical to salmon.

Educational outreach has several vectors: scientists in the classroom, salmon in the schools program, adult education by the San Juan Nature Institute and lecture series at Camp Orkila. The Beach Watchers program began in 2006 and will focus on ecosystem awareness for visitors to San Juan County.

Increased awareness of managers and citizens of proactive methods they can take as part of the San Juan County Marine Stewardship Area (MSA) is a key component of the outreach work in WRIA2 na di being spearheaded by the MRC. An understanding of the links between watersheds, land use, and nearshore habitats will be emphasized. Tools will be provided for landowners to better manage their property for enhancing salmon and forage fish habitat.

The Lead Entity, the MRC, the SJI, and the Sr Planner working on the CAO Update combined their resources to hire in 2008 a part time Education & Outreach Coordinator to help with much needed public outreach and education and message coordination. These 4 programs with the guidance of the Outreach Coordinator have developed an ongoing electronic newsletter titled “Stewardship Connections” to help highlight local marine issues, actions and events.