SMOLTS, STUDENTS ALL GONE
The annual documenting of coho smolts leaving the creek ended May 31 with a total of 18 passing through our trap en route to saltwater. All made their getaway during April. This total is one more than last year but a few less than in 2006 and 2007. The coho survival rate in the wild, from hatch to out-migration, is estimated at 1% to 2%. Our data show that Fauntleroy Creek is comparable, at about 1%.

The last of 15 salmon-release field trips was May 28. Nearly 500 youngsters visited the watershed for these events, releasing just under 2,000 fry to grow in the upper creek over the next year.

Thanks to volunteers Steev Ward for taking the lead on the out-migration study, Judy Pickens for leading release field trips, and Phil Sweetland for aiding with field-trip hospitality at the fish ladder.

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FINAL RESTORATION PROJECT
We have received word that the last of the financing needed to restore the last degraded reach of the beach will soon be in hand.

On March 23, the board of supervisors of the King Conservation District approved an $11,575 grant toward restoration of Fenton Glen, which abuts the east end of the Fauntleroy Church parking lot. This award, together with grants from the City of Seattle and King County, will fund what is expected to be a $93,000 undertaking.

We'll kick off the project as soon as contracts are signed, which we hope is by mid April.

Interpretive Sign
If you haven't already, take a look at our first-ever interpretive sign about Fauntleroy Creek, newly installed along the pedestrian walkway to the ferry.

Funded by the last of a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Federation, the sign focuses on the "reach-to-the-beach" project but also provides basic information about the creek and watershed. Most striking is a watercolor of the reach by nationally known artist Karen Brussat Butler (mother of creek neighbor Elizabeth Butler).

Special thanks to Elizabeth for getting the project done, to Ware Lantz for fabricating a no-fail mounting, and to ferry-terminal staff for doing the installation and kindly agreeing to "host" the sign.

Plant give-away

Steve Richmond (left), owner of GardenCycles and a contractor working in Fauntleroy Park, instructs park neighbors in how to install native plants.  The plant giveaway on Feb. 22, hosted by Steve Bomkamp (second from left), boosted the number and diversity of native plants in several residential landscapes - plus Fauntleroy Church - around the rim of the park.  Photo courtesy David Follis.

 

Spawning Salmon Movie

 

06/03/2009

A SERVICE OF THE FAUNTLEROY WATERSHED COUNCIL

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Artwork Credit:

Here interpreted by artist Richard Sleight, the "salmon-trout's head" ovoid captures the central importance of salmonids (both salmon and their trout cousins) to northern Coast Salish culture. It is often used as the eye in a complex image, with proportions varying according to space and the artist's intentions.