By CHRIS WOODS
For The Beachcomber
January, named for the two-faced, Roman threshold god Janus, who could look both backward and forwards, is traditionally a time to assess the past and plan for the future. Here’s what three of Vashon’s nature organizations accomplished in 2017 and what they are planning for 2018.
The Vashon Nature Center’s third annual ED Talks science symposium focused on shoreline and creek ecosystems allowing local students to present their research alongside professional scientists. Keynote speaker Patrick Christie challenged the audience to examine how their world view shapes their behavior toward nature. Poster presentations included light pollution, Vashon’s coyotes and sea star wasting disease.
A Bioblitz Retrospective presented the results of VNC’s five intense, annual 24-hour species counts to date. The exhibit, including hundreds of photos representing some of the 1,134 species volunteers have counted at five different locations on Vashon, will remain up at the Land Trust Building through the end of this month.
In December, to answer tough questions about cougars, coyotes and bears, VNC produced a pamphlet on “Co-existing with Large Carnivores” and an “Active Livestock Management Guide.” Both are available on their website.
VNC will continue their popular education curriculum in 2018 including the Invertebrates in Schools Program, ED Talks, Naturalist Workshops — beginning with An Introduction to Nature Observation this month — and an informal Nature Lounge discussing invasive green crabs in March.
Citizen science projects for 2018 include stream invertebrate surveys, SalmonWatchers, BeachNET and coyote DNA research. They’re making plans for Bioblitz 2018 this summer and are already preparing a natural history exhibit opening in 2019 at the Vashon Heritage Museum.
The Vashon-Maury Island Audubon Society held several immensely popular talks in 2017 including expert speakers on owls, hawks, and starlings. Their second Saturday bird walks guided veteran birders and newcomers to forest and shoreline hotspots around the island. Audubon also gathered more than 200 photos from local nature photographers for November’s First Friday Art Walk Show and their annual calendar.
Since 1990, one of Vashon Audubon’s biggest contributions to Vashon’s collective nature education is the 4th-grade Birding Program at Chautauqua Elementary School. This spring, Harsi Parker will teach it for the fifth time. She’ll cover forest and water birds during the three-month program, which includes a field trip to KVI and a session on vocalizations at Chautauqua Pond. According to Parker, “These kids spend more time studying birds than most adults and they are mini-experts by the time they are done.”
Ezra Parker organized the 2017 Christmas Bird Count conducted on January 31st. He is currently compiling the numbers and comparing them to historical records to come up with the final results.
During 2018, Vashon Audubon will continue their walks, talks and classes beginning this month with author Maria Mudd Ruth talking about her most recent natural history books. Spring events will include “Last Stand,” a documentary about the last herd of mountain Caribou in British Columbia, and wildlife biologist David Drummond will present his research on the merlin’s mating and nesting habits.
The Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust added 23 acres to the Judd Creek Preserve in 2017.
Much of the coming year will be dedicated to restoring and connecting the nearly 150 acres of conservation lands now running along this critical watershed.
Throughout the Land Trust’s preserves, the stewardship team and volunteers maintained 10 miles of trails, as well as built bridges, planted trees and restored native habitats.
Work on infrastructure at Matsuda Farm in 2017 included bringing in water and power for the growing field and building a new pump house, shed and hoop house. Starting this year, Matsuda Farm will be growing food for the first time since 1985. Food grown in 2018 will go to the Vashon-Maury Community Food Bank, and they are also planning a farm-to-school program with the Vashon Island School District.
The Land Trust formed a book club in 2017 to discuss environmental and conservation books including those by Vashon authors Don Stuart and Laurel Saville. New members are encouraged to join beginning with Saving Wild, this month. The Wild and Scenic Film Festival will also debut this month, and organizers hope to make it an annual event.
This list doesn’t do justice to the many ways Vashon’s nature organizations serve the larger community and connect nature on our island to schools, seniors, farmers, artists, local businesses and the world beyond our shores. Just as nature runs on energy from the sun, these organizations run on energy from volunteers. Please consider helping them in the new year.
January Field Notes Calendar
January 1 to February 3
Annual Native Plant and Tree Sale
Each year the Land Trust selects native trees and shrubs for their qualities as attractive landscape plants as well as their ability to attract wildlife and thrive in our Puget Lowland soils and climate. Vashon residents will receive a postcard with a list of species and details on ordering. Go to vashonlandtrust.org for more information.
Thursday, January 11
Vashon Audubon Talk
Olympia natural history author Maria Mudd Ruth will discuss her two recent books: “A Sideways Look at Clouds” and “Rare Bird: Pursuing the Mystery of the Marbled Murrelet.” This program will feature details on marbled murrelet conservation in Washington and slides featuring stunning Pacific Northwest clouds and elusive marbled murrelets. This event is free and open to the public. 7 p.m. at the Land Trust Building
Saturday, January 13
Vashon Audubon Field Trip
Come out for a free, guided bird tour around the island. No experience necessary. Bring binoculars or a scope, and wear walking shoes or boots. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Carpools are encouraged and may be arranged at the meet-up location. Leave from Ober Park and Ride at 9 a.m. and return at 11 a.m.
Saturday, January 13
Wild and Scenic Film Festival
The Land Trust is hosting the Wild & Scenic Film Festival at the Vashon Theater. Films were selected from a collection of more than 100 films shown at the annual festival held in Nevada City, Ca. They capture the spirit of environmental movements across the country dedicated to saving our increasingly threatened planet. Please see vashonlandtrust.org for information on tickets. 11:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Vashon Theater
Wednesday, January 17
BeachNET Forage Fish Surveys
Join Vashon Nature Center to survey local beaches for forage fish eggs. Contact Maria Metler, mariametler.vnc@gmail.com for more info or to sign up. 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Thursday, January 18
Land Trust Book Club
“Saving Wild: Inspiration from 50 Leading Conservationists,” by Lori Robinson. Join us for our first meeting of the year and the first to be held at Kneeshaw House. We will discuss this timely collection of writings from conservationists around the world. 6:30 p.m. at Kneeshaw House, 11132 SW 204th Street
Sunday, January 21
Vashon Nature Center Naturalist Workshop
Introduction to Nature Observation: Join certified tracker Mallory Clarke to learn techniques that will take your wildlife observation skills to the next level. Learn how to use soot track traps, cast tracks, place wildlife cameras and identify tracks, scat, and animal signs. Participants will get a cast track and soot trap. Sign up on brown paper tickets: https://natureobservation.brownpapertickets.com. For more information go to vashonnaturecenter.org 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Land Trust Building
