Island County Marine Resources Committee (MRC) is an advisory body to county government established in 1999 and comprised of many community volunteers who represent diverse interests and industries, with the common goal to protect and restore marine resources in the Puget Sound area through scientific monitoring, restoration projects, and community education.

About Us
Photo credit: Rich Yukubousky
Island County Shore Friendly Coastal Processes Webinar
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Webinar on Coastal Processes: March 17

We invite you to join us for a free virtual workshop, in partnership with the Northwest Straits Foundation and Island County's Shore Friendly program, in our ongoing work to provide resources for shoreline landowners and anyone interested in learning more about this place we all love. 

The workshop will cover coastal processes and Island County habitats. Shoreline erosion can be a challenge, but it is a natural process. Learn how you can protect and maintain your shoreline property and access while also protecting the fish, wildlife and habitats that we all enjoy.

Register Here

Congratulations, Karis!

Meet Karis Barnes, the recipient of the 2021 Jan Holmes Island County Coastal Volunteer of the Year award!

Karis went above and beyond in her volunteer work at Deception Pass State Park this past summer. Her educational efforts and stewardship messaging helped reach over 20,000 visitors, leaving them with positive memories and nuggets of information about tide pool ecosystems.

Read more about Karis and her volunteer work here!

Volunteer of the Year
Kelp surveyors. Credit: Ron Beier

Bull kelp in Island County

Our amazing bull kelp volunteers conduct boat-based surveys as well as aerial photography of kelp beds around Island County to observe changes throughout the growing season, and compare results from year to year. 

Read all about this year's findings in the 2020 report. You can also learn more about the project and check out videos of the variety of creatures observed within kelp beds on our project page!

Bull Kelp Project Page

Here's What We've Been Up To!

From kelp surveys to crabber outreach, restoration planning to vegetation planting, art contests to Zoom meetings, our work has taken us onto the beach, under the water, and to our community!

Despite the changes that 2020 has brought, we've been able to adapt and continue to work on projects that protect and restore our marine species and environment. Read more about our projects and accomplishments in our 2020 summary sheet or full annual report!

2020 Annual Report