WSU Wahkiakum County Extension brings university-based research and expertise to our county in forest and marine resources.
WSU Wahkiakum County Extension coordinates the Wahkiakum County Marine Resource Committee (MRC).
MRC’s are volunteer groups in each county along Washington’s coast, and were created by the Washington State Legislature to promote collaboration and citizen involvement in local marine resource management and stewardship. The Wahkiakum County Commissioners passed Resolution No. 125-10 on September 27, 2010 establishing the Wahkiakum County Marine Resources Committee (WCMRC). The Commissioners appointed thirteen volunteer board members ensuring balanced representation from local government, local residents, scientific experts, affected economic interests, affected recreational interests, and environmental and conservation interests. The goal of the MRC program is to understand, steward, and restore the marine and estuarine ecological processes of the Washington coast and the lower Columbia River Estuary in support of ecosystem health, sustainable marine resource based livelihoods, cultural integrity, and coastal communities. This program is funded with a grant from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to fund local projects. Since its initiation in 2010, the Wahkiakum County MRC has approved and funded several local projects, including:
- MRC Brochure
- 2014 Fish and Seafood Guide
- Columbia River Fisheries Exhibit
- Student tours and job shadowing at fish hatcheries
- Trail completion and invasive species signage at Skamokawa Vista Park
- Dredging assessments of Wahkiakum County tributaries
- Columbia River noxious weed survey by students
- Water quality monitoring in Columbia River and tributaries
- Monitoring and observing Seal and Sea Lion activity on the Columbia River
- Installation of fish cleaning stations at Elochoman Slough Marina, Skamokawa Vista Park, County Line Park, and Svenson Boat launch
- Fish Preservation Workshops
WSU Extension also has many statewide research-based publications and workshops for forest owners. Watch this website and the local newspaper for announcements of event dates and registration information.
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