Local Perspectives on the Shoreline Monitoring Toolbox
Presentation Abstract
The Jefferson County Marine Resources Committee (MRC)’s use of the Shoreline Montoring Toolbox illustrates how small local groups can use the Toolbox as a resource for building stronger connections between volunteers, managers and the science community while adapting to site-specific needs, local challenges and local volunteer resources.
The MRC is using trained citizen-science volunteers to monitor pre- and post-construction changes for a shoreline restoration project at Fort Townsend State Park. The MRC used the Shoreline Monitoring Toolbox Decision Tree and references to decide which beach characteristics should be measured for this particular project. They selected monitoring protocols consistent with regional monitoring datasets.
Protocols were then adapted and expanded to accommodate specific site conditions, project goals and volunteer resources. Changes to protocols were vetted with agency, tribal and science professionals. For example, WDFW forage fish spawning survey protocols were adjusted to complement current work by Tribal biologists, with approval from WDFW. Large woody debris monitoring followed protocols that were consistent with the Northwest Straits Foundation protocols for that data. Two of the project goals were improved access and increased understanding of the impacts of shoreline armoring, so new protocols were developed specifically for this site to measure visitor perceptions of public access improvements and effectiveness of interpretive signs with guidance from a WSU Extension Evaluation specialist. The MRC worked with science advisors from Washington SeaGrant, WSU Extension, Tribal biologists and state agencies (WDFW), in partnership with WA State Parks, the Northwest Straits Initiative and local volunteer groups to adapt protocols and recruit and train volunteers.
Session Title
Shoreline Monitoring: Citizen Science, Restoration Effectiveness, and Data Integration
Conference Track
Engagement
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2016 : Vancouver, B.C.)
Document Type
Event
Start Date
2016 12:00 AM
End Date
2016 12:00 AM
Location
2016SSEC
Type of Presentation
Poster
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events); posters
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Shorelines--Monitoring--Washington (State)--Jefferson County; Shorelines--Monitoring--Handbooks, manuals, etc.
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Jefferson County (Wash.)
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Local Perspectives on the Shoreline Monitoring Toolbox
2016SSEC
The Jefferson County Marine Resources Committee (MRC)’s use of the Shoreline Montoring Toolbox illustrates how small local groups can use the Toolbox as a resource for building stronger connections between volunteers, managers and the science community while adapting to site-specific needs, local challenges and local volunteer resources.
The MRC is using trained citizen-science volunteers to monitor pre- and post-construction changes for a shoreline restoration project at Fort Townsend State Park. The MRC used the Shoreline Monitoring Toolbox Decision Tree and references to decide which beach characteristics should be measured for this particular project. They selected monitoring protocols consistent with regional monitoring datasets.
Protocols were then adapted and expanded to accommodate specific site conditions, project goals and volunteer resources. Changes to protocols were vetted with agency, tribal and science professionals. For example, WDFW forage fish spawning survey protocols were adjusted to complement current work by Tribal biologists, with approval from WDFW. Large woody debris monitoring followed protocols that were consistent with the Northwest Straits Foundation protocols for that data. Two of the project goals were improved access and increased understanding of the impacts of shoreline armoring, so new protocols were developed specifically for this site to measure visitor perceptions of public access improvements and effectiveness of interpretive signs with guidance from a WSU Extension Evaluation specialist. The MRC worked with science advisors from Washington SeaGrant, WSU Extension, Tribal biologists and state agencies (WDFW), in partnership with WA State Parks, the Northwest Straits Initiative and local volunteer groups to adapt protocols and recruit and train volunteers.
