Can you name this plant?

Beloved beach stewards Friends of the Dunes always have a lot going on, but this weekend positively brims with ways to get involved, get smarter and learn a whole slew of new info about our coastal region. Tune into Coastal Currents today at noon on KHUM 104.7 FM to catch the details and/or get the essential facts below:

• Saturday, March 22: DERT! Volunteers are needed to join the Dune Ecosystem Restoration Team (DERT) in removing invasive plants at the Ma-le’l Dunes Unit of the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge on Saturday, March 22 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Volunteers who participate in restoration work days at three sites will receive a free DERT T-shirt. Gloves, tools and cookies will be provided, please wear closed-toed shoes and bring drinking water. Meet at the Ma-le’l North parking lot, off of Young Lane in Manila. For more information, call (707) 444-1397 or email justin@friendsofthedunes.org.

• Saturday, March 22: Get Outside Gear Sale dropff Support Friends of the Dunes by donating or consigning your gently used outdoor gear for the Get Outside Gear Sale during the Wildberries Marketplace drop-off day on Saturday, March 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Load up your gear and drive-through, volunteers will be available to help unload your donations. All donated and consigned items, as well as some new items, will be on sale during our Get Outside Gear Sale on Sunday, April 6 at the Humboldt Coastal Nature Center. Anyone who donates gear during the Wildberries drop-off day will be entered into a drawing for a mystery outdoor gear item. For more information and other drop-off locations, visit friendsofthedunes.org or call (707) 444-1397.

• Saturday, March 22: I Love Wetlands! Join Friends of the Dunes and students from Redwood Coast Montessori School and explore the wetlands of Manila during the I Love Wetlands event at the Manila Community Park on Saturday, March 22 from 1 to 3 p.m. Discover the cool creatures that live in salty mudflats, learn about the birds that eat them, dip net in a freshwater pond, and create some nature-inspired art! This event is free, but donations are gladly accepted. Wear boots if you have them, and be prepared for hands on exploration in wet and muddy habitats! RSVP by calling (707) 444-1397 or emailing info@friendsofthedunes.org.

• Sunday, March 23: Interpretive Techniques Workshop Learn how to share nature with others using activities that spark interest, reveal meaningful relationships and help people develop a deeper connection to the natural world. Join experienced nature interpreters Patti Johnson and Carol Vander Meer for an Interpretive Techniques Workshop on Sunday, March 23 from 1 to 4:30 p.m. will share techniques that can be used to engage all ages. This workshop will include a combination of indoor and outdoor activities, games, tips and techniques that can be used to engage all ages. Participants will learn how to assemble their own interpreter’s tool kit to help them share the joy of nature with others. Dress appropriately for an outdoor session in the dunes. This workshop costs $5 per person, but is free for Friends of the Dune Education Volunteers. Meet at the Humboldt Coastal Nature Center, 220 Stamps Lane in Manila. Reserve your spot by calling (707) 444-1397 or emailing info@friendsofthedunes.org.

Up Fecal Creek?

A rainy February enabled Humboldt Baykeeper to finish a winter’s flow study calculating the mass volume of fecal coliform bacteria in four Humboldt Bay tributaries: Janes, Jolly Giant, Jacoby and Campbell Creeks). The results showed that Janes Creek carries more than 75 percent of the E. coli carried by the four streams into Humboldt Bay – a whopping 375 lbs. per day. During dry weather, Jolly Giant Creek carries the majority of runoff polluted with E. coli. Next steps: Identifying the sources and working to reduce or eliminate them to improve water quality in the creeks and Humboldt Bay. Full story here.

Protect Streams and Wetlands 

On March 10, the Board of Supervisors heeded calls to put an end to the Planning Commission’s review of the GPU’s Conservation and Open Space Element. On March 24 at 1:30, the Supervisors will have the chance to undo the damage to protections for streams and wetlands, open space, the goal of a Countywide trail system and county community forest program and show commitment to a future that includes trails and community forests – if Humboldt County residents show up and advocate for it.

Detail of the Northwest Training and Testing Range

Protect Whales and Dolphins

Deadline to submit comments to the U.S. Navy regarding a proposal to extend its program in the Northwest Training and Testing Range, an area that encompasses the northern end of waters off Humboldt County’s coast. Over 100 people attended a March 6 hearing regarding the Navy’s plan to include sonar technology, electromagnetic devices and explosives in the testing and training – all spoke against it. Several environmental groups are asking the Navy to, at the least, create exclusion zones around the most sensitive habitats. Start here for an overview of the EIS and links to the comment portion of the site.

Pick it up.

Protect the Peninsula

If you’re looking for some immediate gratification, help the PacOut Green Team clean up around Bay Street this Saturday at 8:30 a.m.

NEC/Baykeeper hiring

Know Spanish? Like kids and teaching them about watersheds? Love Humboldt Bay? Here’s a way to put all that to use.

Jennifer Savage is the Northcoast Environmental Center’s Coastal Programs director, Humboldt Surfrider chair and co-host of KHUM’s Coastal Currents.