Restoration of the Elwha River, including the start of the Nation’s largest dam removal to date, is the backdrop for the Elwha River Science Symposium, scheduled to be held at Peninsula College September 15-16, 2011.

"Over the last six years, a flurry of scientific studies has occurred in the Elwha River watershed in anticipation of dam removal,” said Jeff Duda, a U.S. Geological Survey scientist co-organizing the symposium. “This information will be used to better understand and document ecosystem responses to dam removal."

The symposium will feature presentations of recent scientific studies, as well as lectures from nationally-recognized scholars in the fields of fisheries biology, geomorphology, ecosystem health, and dam removal and river policy.

"A pelican recently made a visit to the Hood Canal Hatchery in Hoodsport and caused quite a stir with residents and hatchery employees alike. He dined on yearling fish until he was captured and transported to Quilcene.
It was a short visit for the pelican, however. He beat the truck back to Hoodsport. It is curious if he is friends with a certain sea lion named Herschel... "

Mushrooms might help treat one of the most widespread causes of water pollution — fecal bacteria from human and livestock waste in stormwater runoff. And if it works, the system can be used to protect the rich shellfish heritage of Puget Sound.

The Squaxin Island Tribe is teaming up with Mason Conservation District and Fungi Perfecti to test how well the vegetative growth (mycelia) of fungi filters fecal coliform bacteria out of running water.

For full story see: 
Squaxin Island Tribe Further Testing Mushrooms as Water Quality Solution
 

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