Land & Water
Our Restoration & Research Initiatives
Whidbey Watershed Stewards began as an organization committed to educating young people about their homes on Whidbey Island. Quickly, we realized that the home we all share was in trouble — and the legacy that we are passing on to our children is missing some important components. We began our restoration and research programs to return those missing pieces of our ecosystem to the island. Through actions big and small we work toward providing a healthier, more resilient place to live where our children will be able to swim in the water, eat the shellfish, and fish for salmon.
Learn What Salmon Need, and What You Can Do to Help!
Learn about The Maxwelton Watershed
What we protect.
Our efforts began with students raising salmon fry to release into a local salmon-bearing creek. Our program has evolved to protect habitat and increase biodiversity in the plant community. We own and actively steward several Whidbey Island properties. Click to explore them!
What we’re learning.
When grant funding is available, we lead and participate in citizen science projects around Island County. Over the years, this has included an annual smolt count, kelp harvest monitoring, and more. Click to learn about our research, including several local salmon studies and participation in the WRIA 6 Salmon Recovery Plan.
How to get involved.
If restoration, stewardship, and research are your passion, click here to learn more about how to get involved as a volunteer.