WSU Shore Stewards - Island County

Happy World Ocean Day! Whether you live right on the coast or hundreds of miles inland, we all rely on a healthy ocean.

From captivating underwater videos, to ocean science resources, to beach safety tips, Ocean Service has everything you need to celebrate.

Dive in: https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/news/ocean-month/welcome.html

The FIFA World Cup is right around the corner! With more visitors expected to come to Island County for games in late June, short-term rentals are likely to experience increased demand and occupancy.

If your home uses a septic system, plan and stick to your occupancy limits. Septic systems are designed for a set number of users; overloading them, even briefly, can cause backups, costly damage, and health risks for your guests and the community.

Here are some tips to help get your system ready for the increased load:

- Schedule a Septic System Inspection and have the tanks pumped if needed.
- Clean the outlet baffle filter every 6-12 months to prevent sewage from backing up into the home.
- Ensure guests are not parking over septic components. This can lead to compaction or breaking components and early failure. Rope off the area so they know where not to park.
- Make sure that all of your guests know that the home is on a septic system and what not to flush. Signs throughout the house, over the toilet and the sinks can be helpful. Consider communicating in messages before check-in about your septic system.
- Avoid hydraulic overload by fixing leaks and keeping guest numbers within your septic system’s limits. Too many people can overload the system, pushing solids into the drainfield and causing early failure.
- A flooded drainfield can’t absorb wastewater, which may lead to backups or overflows. If emptying a hot tub, make sure it’s drained away from the septic system.
- Avoid using harsh cleaners and chemicals. They can reduce the bacterial communities needed to treat wastewater.
- Use a sink drain strainer.

Visit our website for important septic tips, maintenance reminders, and ways to avoid common issues during busy rental periods: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/672/Homeowner-Support

Molt Blitz is almost here! Join the Blitz Friday, June 26 by Molt Searching on a beach near you.

Need to learn how? Attend our virtual training June 24 to get up to speed!

Each year our Molt Search program with Washington State University Extension hosts Molt Blitz, a Salish Sea-wide effort to gather the largest single-day dataset of crab molts in Washington. Gathering photos of crab molts helps us learn more about where invasive European green crab might have spread, and also provides valuable info on important native species like Dungeness crab.

You can help by completing a Molt Search on June 26. Go to bit.ly/moltblitz2026, complete a Molt Search training in person or online, and get ready to Molt Blitz!

Imagine having bursts of vibrant fuchsia throughout your garden. It's easy to do. Simply plant chive (Allium schoenoprasum).

This versatile, self-seeding herb deters pests, discourages deer, and is a good companion plant with carrots, celery, lettuce, peas, and tomatoes. It enjoys full sun, but can go dormant in the summer, popping back up in the fall.

It's a delight in ornamental gardens, growing in clumps. about a foot high, making it lovely as part of a border or in front of larger plants. Its dramatic flowers attract pollinators, and after blooming, produce sesame-seed-sized seeds.

Don't confine chive to herb gardens. Plant is in unexpected places to add color and interest.

ICYMI - Our June newsletter is available online:

MRC highlights include:
* Searching for Seaweed (Jefferson), Forage fish (Clallam & Island), Crabber Outreach (Skagit), Outreach & engagement (San Juan)
* Kelp kayak season kickoff
* NOAA partnership feature
* and more!

Read the June edition >> https://bit.ly/June2026NWStraits

June is the time of year when community members start to think about clam digging and shellfish harvesting. Before heading out, always make sure to check the shellfish safety map for season openings and potential closures due to biotoxins.

Find the map here: https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/biotoxin/biotoxin.html

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife also has important information on harvesting regulations that are necessary for sustaining healthy shellfish populations. Please make sure to check for shellfish signs at public access beaches. They can inform you if there are any species-specific or whole beach closures.

If you have any questions about harvesting in Island County or about any of the information on our website, please feel free to reach out to the Island County Natural Resources Department: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/644/Shellfish-Advisories

At WSU Island County Extension ALL are welcome! Wishing everyone a Happy Pride Month!