PACIFIC MARINE RESEARCH

PO Box 31137, Seattle WA 98103

206-361-1919  

fieldtrips@marinescienceafloat.org

www.marinescienceafloat.org

 

 

Protecting Puget Sound: whose job is it?  

Who must take care of Puget Sound, the watersheds that feed it, and other watersheds throughout our state?  ALL OF US!  There are countless opportunities to participate; some are quick and easy, while others involve more long-term commitment.  Perhaps one or more of the following contacts can help you get started!

 

GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS

Washington Department of Ecology

Washington Waters – Ours to Protect

http://www.ecy.wa.gov/washington_waters/

 “The Washington Waters — Ours to Protect campaign provides a framework to help people change some of their behaviors that pollute Washington's lakes, rivers, wetlands and marine waters.  …Here you'll find ideas to help people make a BIG difference to the health of our waters and watersheds.”

Recycle Hotline:  1-800-RECYCLE (1-800-732-9253)

http://1800recycle.wa.gov/

Besides the environmental benefits of recycling in general, recycling hazardous materials is especially important to protecting the health of our waterways.  The statewide toll-free Recycle Hotline is a good first step to find out where and how to recycle specific materials in your area.

Seattle Public Utilities

700 Fifth Avenue, Suite 4900, PO Box 34018, Seattle WA 98124-4018

Seattle Public Utilities offers a wealth of information on ways to protect our environment.  Here are two links you may find especially useful:

Conservation and Environment: http://www.seattle.gov/util/Directory/Conservation_Index/index.asp

Hazardous Waste: http://www.seattle.gov/util/Services/Garbage/Special_&_Unacceptable_Items/

King County Local Hazardous Waste Management Program

130 Nickerson Street, Suite 100, Seattle WA 98109

Hazards Line:  206-296-4692

http://www.govlink.org/hazwaste/house/index.cfm

The web site has lots of information about identifying hazardous materials, finding less hazardous alternatives, and safely disposing of hazardous waste.  Answers to specific questions about hazardous materials can be obtained from the Hazards Line.

Puget Sound Partnership

PO Box 40900, Olympia WA 98504-0900

800-54-SOUND

http://www.psp.wa.gov/

"The Puget Sound Partnership is a community effort of citizens, governments, tribes, scientists and businesses working together to restore and protect Puget Sound.  Our goal is to make Puget Sound healthy again, and create a roadmap for how to get it done."

 

PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS

Puget Sound Green Pages

http://www.greenwest.net/psgp/

“Internet links of interest to people working on environmental issues in the Puget Sound region of Washington State.”  With dozens of organizations listed, this site is a great place to start looking for opportunities for involvement.  The site also has “Beyond the Sound” links to help find activities in other parts of the Pacific Northwest.

People for Puget Sound

911 Western Avenue, Suite 580, Seattle WA 98104

206-382-7007

http://www.pugetsound.org/

People For Puget Sound is a citizens' group working to protect and restore the health of Puget Sound and the Northwest Straits through education and action. Our vision is a clean and healthy Sound, teeming with fish and wildlife, cared for by people who live here.”

Puget Soundkeeper Alliance

5309 Shilshole Ave NW, Suite 215, Seattle WA 98107

206-297-7002

http://www.pugetsoundkeeper.org/

The mission of Puget Soundkeeper Alliance is to protect and preserve Puget Sound by tracking down and stopping the discharge of toxic pollutants into its waters. The Alliance is the only organization that actively monitors and patrols the waters of Puget Sound to detect and document sources of illegal pollution.”

Adopt-A-Stream Foundation

Northwest Stream Center, 600 128th Street SE, Everett WA 98208-6353

425-316-8592

http://www.streamkeeper.org/

“Our mission is ‘To teach people to become stewards of their watersheds.’ We achieve our mission through two focus areas: Environmental Education and Habitat Restoration.  ‘Adoption’ of a stream means that volunteers will provide long-term care of the stream and establish stream monitoring, restoration, and community-wide environmental education activities.”

Friends of the Cedar River Watershed

6512 23rd Avenue NW #201, Seattle, WA 98117

206-297-8141

http://www.cedarriver.org/

“The Friends of the Cedar River Watershed (FCRW) is a private, non-profit organization…dedicated to the protection and restoration of the Cedar River Watershed, an ecological preserve that is the source of drinking water to more than a million greater Seattle area residents. Our primary goal is to educate the public about the source of our water and its ecological and cultural value, and to engage them in promoting the health of the Watershed.”

Washington Toxics Coalition

4649 Sunnyside Avenue N, Suite 540, Seattle WA 98103

206-632-1545

http://www.watoxics.org/

Washington Toxics Coalition protects public health and the environment by eliminating toxic pollution. WTC promotes alternatives, advocates policies, empowers communities, and educates people to create a healthy environment.”

The NatureMapping Program

Karen M. Dvornich

University of Washington, School of Aquatic & Fishery Sciences, Box 355020, Seattle WA 98195

206-616-2031

http://depts.washington.edu/natmap/

“The NatureMapping Program's vision is to create a national network that links natural resource agencies, academia and land planners with local communities primarily through schools. Our goal is to keep common animals common and to maintain our quality of life. Our approach is to train individuals to become aware of their natural resources and to provide the tools to inventory and monitor their resources.”

EarthCorps

6310 NE 74th St, Suite 201E, Seattle WA 98115

206-322-9296 x101

http://www.earthcorps.org/volunteer.php

“Volunteering is a great way to get involved in your community and to make new friends. EarthCorps provides volunteer opportunities for individuals and/or groups to work on trails, remove invasive plants, and plant native species.”