Our Stormwater Volunteers

The Stormwater Project:

Dedicated Volunteers Making a Difference:

Our diverse group of volunteers brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to our project. Volunteers engage in important field work, collecting data as a team while braving various weather conditions. A volunteer’s time commitment ranges from a few hours to up to four hours per month; our program is flexible enough to accommodate various schedules and levels of involvement. 

 

The collective effort of our volunteers not only yields valuable scientific data but also fosters a sense of shared purpose. There’s an energy that emerges when people unite for a cause they believe in deeply. Whether it’s the excitement of discovering trends in the data or the satisfaction of knowing their work contributes to larger conservation efforts, our volunteers find many reasons to feel fulfilled in their roles. 

 

In essence, participating in this project isn’t just about collecting data – it’s about being part of a community that’s actively working towards a healthier environment. The shared sense of accomplishment and the knowledge that each small action contributes to a larger positive impact make this work gratifying for all involved.

Our History:

In 2020 we started in Anacortes with eighteen volunteers. Our partner with the City of Anacortes was Diane Hennebert, the City stormwater manager. Anacortes is unusual in that it has 79 shoreline outfall pipes. That is a large number for a community of ony 17,000 people. When COVID descended upon our community people could no longer meet in groups. In some ways this challenge fit our project very well. Our project had volunteers working in teams of two and we carefully followed the COVID safety protocols. Our stormwater project was one of the few that could safely operate through the entire COVID period.

Our Project Today & Tomorrow:

Our project lead organizer is Tim Gohrke and the funding sponsor is the non-profit Friends of the the Salish Sea in Anacortes. The grants for equipment and supplies are managed by the board of directors of Friends of the Salish Sea. Why not include yourself? If this project looks like something you wish to participate with, send us a note and we will send you more information. We plan expand to more communities around the Salish Sea in the future. Click below to reach out via email and get involved!