People who want to learn about the top 50 plants, animals and diseases threatening Washington’s natural environment and economy have a new online resource, the Washington Invasive Species Council’s W.I.S.E. Web site. This week, the statewide council launched the new Washington Invasive Species Education (W.I.S.E.) Web site with the goal of educating people about invasive species and the damage they can do to the environment and economy, how invasive species spread and how everyone can help stop them. The Web site can be found at: www.wise.wa.gov/.

“By giving people information about invasive species, we hope they will help us prevent their spread and reduce the damage they cause,” said Bill Tweit, council chairman. “The Web site makes it easy for people to know what species to be on the lookout for when they are hiking, boating or just having fun outdoors.”

Hey dog - The day has arrived! With summer here there's no better time to remind everyone that picking up after your pooch helps protect Puget Sound.  But there's no reason to be a drag about it. That's why we've been reaching out about this brand new video from Puget Sound Starts Here (http://pugetsoundstartshere.org/scoop-poop/)  - Dog Diggity. Featuring the music of Martin Luther (with all respect to Blackstreet), Dog Diggity is our gift to the many residents all around the Sound.  Just a reminder that picking up after Fido isn't just the neighborly thing to do in your 'hood, it goes a long way to protect the health of Puget Sound. Because remember, Puget Sound Starts Here.

Writen by Kristen Cooley
Education & Outreach Manager
PUGETSOUNDPARTNERSHIP

Keeping Washington beaches healthy -- we're all in this together!

The Washington BEACH Program is led jointly by the Washington State Departments of Ecology and Health, and consists of county and local agencies, tribal nations, and volunteers.

The mission of the BEACH Program is to reduce the risk of disease for people who play in saltwater by:

   •   Monitoring bacteria levels at popular, high risk beaches.

   •   Notifying users when bacteria results are high or when a known pollution event, such as a sewage spill, has occurred.

   •   Educating the public about the risks associated with polluted water and what each of us can do to reduce that risk.
 

From Department of Ecology BEACH program website.