On a recent cool sunny day, SFEG staff visited a few Seattle City Light-owned properties upriver.  Hydroelectric dams, of which Seattle City Light (SCL) has three on the Skagit River,  impact salmon and to compensate for (or offset) this SCL buys lands and puts them into a conservation trust.

Bengt Miller, Stewardship Coordinator, along the Skagit River at the Illabot Creek property

SFEG stewards about 2,500 acres for SCL. These lands are managed for multiple use by wildlife and humans, though regular check-ins are required to ensure plants are growing and human use is light and as intended.

Some of the new trees planted at Illabot Creek

At the sites known as Illabot and Carefree Acres, staff assessed the growth of newly planted native species, planted a few additional plants, and documented some new and existing human impacts. 

A dilapidated outhouse at Carefree Acres hints its former homesite days

Along the way we scared up a ruffed grouse, and saw ample evidence of deer and elk using both properties.  Songbird houses have been installed too, since habitat restoration is about WAY MORE than just salmon!

Birdhouses made by volunteer Jack Middleton and decorated by local youth provide nesting habitat for a variety of birds at Carefree Acres

In lieu of a physical Earth Day, Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group hosted a photography and art Earth Day contest!

 

There were four different categories where people submitted their work, three of them were photography and one was any other type of visual art. We chose two winners for each category; one 17 and under winner and one 18 and over winner.  

 

Category 1: Best Bird or Beast 

Go out and find inspiration among wildlife. Whether it be an eagle, a bear, a salmon, or a spider, this is your chance to show us what birds and beasts you can find. For this category, you must have at least one animal in your photograph. Once you’ve got your wildlife in sight, snap away!

 

Winners

Megan Jewell, 17 and under

Timmy Moser, 18 and over

 

Category 2: Water is Life

The life of the Skagit comes from its water, and we want you to go out and capture that. You must have some kind of connection to water in your photograph. It can be a river, creek, bay, or anything else you can find! If your connection to water seems abstract make sure to explain it to us when you submit your photograph.

 

Winners

Jordan Janicki, 17 and under 

Tessa Perler, 18 and over

 

Category 3: Everyday is Earth Day

Regardless of the day, everyday should be Earth Day. Your task is to show everybody why! Show how we can help the Earth even when nobody else is looking. This could mean showcasing a relationship between person and wildlife, conservation efforts within the Skagit, and everything in between!

 

Winner

Maddie Hicks, 18 and over

 

Category 4: Scenic Skagit *This category is for non-photography based visual arts*

This is our category for forms of visual art that are not photography. From paintings, to drawings, to sculptures, this is your time to show off all of your artistic skills! This category is also the most open to a wide array of submissions. Like the other categories, this must be based on things that you have seen or experienced within the Skagit Watershed. We want to know what Skagit means to you. Show us the beauty you see here, the reasons why you love it, and the things that scream Skagit to you. As long as your art portrays an aspect of life or nature here, we would love to see it!

 

Winners

Samantha Jepperson, 17 and under

Anders Rodin, 18 and over 

 

 

 

We had so many amazing submissions that we decided to include an honorable mention section as well. We hope these incredible photos bring some beauty to your day!

 

Honorable Mentions

Anders Rodin

Samantha Jepperson

Amy Fenlon

Anders Rodin

Timmy Moser

Anders Rodin

David Wright

 

This event has been postponed due to public health concerns. We are hoping to re-schedule this ivy pull to later in the summer. Once plans are finalized, the information regarding re-scheduling will be up on the website. Thank you for your patience.  

 

Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of Earth Day on April 18th, 2020! It will be at Scott’s Point on Samish Island from 10am until 2pm. Come out to remove invasive ivy and participate in our other family friendly events! Some of which include: water quality tests, a scavenger hunt, and a raffle! So let’s all celebrate and help our beautiful shared Earth!

Tools, snacks, and gloves will be provided!

 

For more information, you can email outreach@skagitfisheries.org or call 360.336.0172

 

 

This event could not be possible without the support of our wonderful partners.