The Community Leads the Way A community assessment is conducted where key community leaders, associated groups and shoreline property owners from previous programs are pulled together to be advisors for implementation of the program, as well as to be ambassadors to other communities. Our program targets marine waterfront property owners directly though we work with all lands that affect the marine environment. The results are a new group of informed shoreline property owners and stakeholders about nearshore processes, leading them to more ecologically friendly methods of developing their land.

Many tools are used to reach out and engage the marine waterfront  property owners to help protect, restore and preserve the Hood Canal nearshore habitat.  Workshops where recognized local and regional scientists provide science based information. Landowners are asked to host beach events in their neighborhood Beach walks provide the opportunity to identify habitat projects Open houses for the community input and outreach Marine Riparian Initiative is native vegetation for the marine shoreline

Science is Used for Education A nearshore assessment of physical and biological conditions and how those conditions have changed over time is completed for the targeted shoreline. Historical maps from the 1800's are over-layed with contemporary shoreline maps to provide a change analysis of estuarine and shoreline conditions. The assessment results are used extensively throughout the program to build awareness of our changing shoreline conditions and what those conditions mean to the health of the nearshore and those creatures that depend on these habitats.

Completed three shoreline phases: 2003 Northshore area of lower Hood Canal from the Union River to Bald Point 2004 Tahuya/Dewatto area from Bald Point to Mason County line 2006 southshore of lower Hood Canal from Union to Belfair 2007 Kitsap County/Hood Canal had first workshop on November 15th, 2007.  Beach walks summer 2008.

The education and outreach component has received funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Puget Sound Action Team and the Hood Canal Coordinating Council's Salmon Recovery Funds. The habitat projects have been funded through many sources inlcuding private, corporate, state and federal programs. Our partners include the Puget Sound Partnership, Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group, Great Peninsula Conservancy, Conservation Districts, WSU Extension, WA Sea Grant Program, WA State Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, U S Fish and Wildlife Service, Mason County Health, Kitsap County, Mason County Assessor, North Mason Chamber of Commerce, Port of Dewatto, Mary E. Theler Community Center, WSU Master Gardeners, Seabeck Community Club, Holly Community Club, Lynch Cove Community Association, Hood Canal Improvement Club, Seabeck Christian Conference Center.  Contact Information: Sue Texeira, Program Coordinator 360-801-0958 stexeira@hccc.wa.gov