Orca Recovery Day:
Join Kitsap County events to be a part of critical collective action!
Kitsap County Parks, the Kitsap Conservation District and partner organizations will host eight COVID-safe events in 'Orca-tober' as part of Orca Recovery Day October 16, aimed at improving conditions for critically endangered Southern Resident Orca Whales and their main food source, salmon. Volunteers are invited to participate in stewardship action events that take place Oct. 9, 16 and 23 throughout the county.
After so many have looked to nature for space and renewal these past 18 months of the pandemic, three junior Orcas swimming the Puget Sound offer hesitant hope. But their future depends on healthy habitat, a sustained food source of salmon, and community care and stewardship of watersheds where their food sources come from.
Orca Recovery Day engages people in actions targeted at helping endangered local salmon and orcas. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, only 75 Southern Resident Orca Whales are left in the wild. It is our collective impacts on the environment that led to this crisis and our collective action is critical to recovery. Providing clean waterways that support fish health and improved water quality helps make quality of life better for everyone.
Kitsap County Parks Orca Recovery Day Events - For a complete list, click here.
- North Kitsap Heritage Park, 9 a.m. October 9, Kingston. Meet at Miller Bay Road parking area. Bring sturdy shoes, gloves, pruning tools, and water.
Register here - Banner Forest Heritage Park, 9 a.m. October 9, Port Orchard. Arrive at Banner Road parking area. Bring sturdy shoes, gloves, pruning tools, and water. Group will be removing invasive plants.
Register here - Harper Park, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. October 16, 3500 SE Southworth Dr., Port Orchard. Rock painting, native plant planting, a beach walk, invasive plant removal and more - all at the park and estuary. All tools and instructions will be provided.
Register here - Newberry Hill Heritage Park, 10 a.m. October 16, Silverdale. Arrive at Newberry Hill parking area at Klahowya Secondary School (park near kiosk). Bring sturdy shoes, gloves, pruning tools, and water. Group will be removing invasive plant species.
Register here - Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park, 9 a.m. October 16, Port Gamble. Arrive at Port Gamble Bayview parking area. Bring sturdy shoes, gloves, pruning tool, and water. Group will be removing invasive plant species.
Register here - Veterans Memorial Park, 9 a.m. October 23, Port Orchard. Group will be removing large volumes of litter from the park. Bring Gloves, sturdy shoes, and water.
Register here
Trail Closure at Chico Salmon Park
The trails at Chico Salmon Park are temporarily closed until construction can be completed to ensure public safety. Trail construction is estimated to be completed by October 15. Please respect trail barriers and signs.
Trail Closure at Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park
Starting March 22nd, Evergreen Mountain Bike Association (EMBA) – West Sound Chapter will be removing unsanctioned trails and constructing three sustainable, directional trails within the Ranger Corridor. For public safety, this trail corridor will be closed for the duration of the construction activity and signage will be posted to alert trail users. The tentative timeline for reopening is early May.
This trail improvement activity is part of a larger, collaborative project between EMBA, Kitsap County Parks, and Washington Trails Association (WTA). The goal of this project is to address public safety concerns, while being mindful of the need for multi-use access. WTA is in the process of adding a western extension off of the EWOK trail, as part of the Ranger Corridor plan, which will be open to pedestrian and equestrian use. Mountain bike use on this trail extension off of EWOK will be limited to uphill travel only.
Silverdale Waterfront Park - Parking Lot Closure and Restroom Closure
The parking lot and restroom facilities at Silverdale Waterfront Park will be closed for the near future due to the Bayshore, Washington & Byron Improvement Project. Click here for more information on the Bayshore, Washington & Byron Improvement Project.
Trail Closure at South Kitsap Regional Park
A section of a back trail at South Kitsap Regional Park is temporarily closed until construction can be completed to ensure public safety. Please respect trail barriers and signs.
Trail Closure at Guillemot Cove
Beach access trail is closed until required permitting and construction of an additional section of boardwalk is completed. Please respect trail barriers and signs.
Conservation Futures Grant Update
Early this year, the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners announced that the County would consider applications for land and/or conservation futures acquisition during the year through a competitive process and will distribute up to $300,000 of conservation futures tax revenue to eligible projects and organizations. Those entities include Cities, Metropolitan Park Districts, Metropolitan Municipal Corporations, Nonprofit Historic Preservation Corporations, and Nonprofit Nature Conservancy Corporations or Associations. Click here to view more information on the Conservation Futures Grant.
