Friends Notes

Trail Tales Docents will lead an interpretive tour via bicycles to visit a number of the Anacortes shoreline sites that are being cleaned up by the WA Department of Ecology. Join us to learn about the history of the sites going back to the 1890s and what's happening there today.

When: Saturday September 29th at 10AM to ~11:30AM

Starting Point: Meet at the Anacortes Farmer's Market at the Depot in front of the Snag Boat Museum.

Where we'll go - out to March Point along the Tommy Thompson Trail

In case of heavy rain or winds, we will reschedule for another date.

Do you know what this is? You'll find out on our ride.

Friends of Skagit Beaches, under funding from the Washington Department of Ecology’s Public Participation Grant program, is developing a new shoreline interpretive program in Anacortes along the shoreline of Fidalgo Bay. The project, called Trail Tales, will focus initially on the Tommy Thompson Trail and later expand to the shoreline of Guemes Channel. The goal of the project is to combine an opportunity to explore and learn more about our local history, marine and shoreline ecosystems, local watersheds and Ecology's Anacortes Baywide Cleanup Project. Ecology is partnering with the Port of Anacortes, Samish Indian Nation, and local landowners to cleanup a legacy of industrial pollution left behind by a century of lumber and wood processing industries.

The program will combine recreation and education providing an opportunity to learn while enjoying the natural beauty of our local shoreline. The statement below summarizes the interpretive theme for the project and sets the tone for developing educational materials and activities for the project. Trail Tales leads us on a journey to discover Fidalgo Bay’s natural beauty and its diverse ecology and history, while calling us to restore and protect it for future generations.

The project will be developing shoreline interpretive signs, training interpretive guides , designing a supporting website, hosting special educational presentations and events, and working with local schools and the arts community to engage the public in learning more about the our local history and environment and what role we play in the big picture. Friends is working with the WSU Skagit County Beach Watcher program to offer summer interpretive hikes and other outreach events throughout the year. In addition, the WWU Shannon Point Marine Center will be developing a Fidalgo Watershed class for all 8th grade students at the Anacortes Middle School. How can you get involved?

Sign up for our newsletter and “like” us on Facebook and you’ll receive announcements about what we’re doing and upcoming activities. Starting in June 2012, we’ll be rolling out interpretive programs open to the local community and visitors to the area. This will include interpretive hikes and special events that will be advertised via our website calendar, emails, Facebook page and in the Anacortes Parks & Recreation Summer Menu - and don’t forget to check the Anacortes American’s Community Calendar.

We’re excited about our kickoff event coming up June 9th, the first annual Fidalgo Shoreline Academy, a one-day symposium of presentations and interpretive hikes at the Fidalgo Bay Resort. To learn more, check out the agenda and register to attend at http://fidalgoacademy.eventbrite.com/.

See you on the trail!