People For Puget Sound invites the community to celebrate National Estuaries Day on Saturday, Sept. 24 by helping to restore habitat at Cayou Lagoon, Orcas Island’s largest estuary.

“This once-vibrant system has been degraded over the past 150 years by clearing for development, changes to the tributary streams, and the construction of the Channel Road Bridge,” organizers say. “National Estuaries Day is the annual celebration of the vibrant and essential coastal areas where rivers meet the sea. [It’s] a terrific opportunity to learn more about estuaries and get out and do some good for our beautiful island shores.”

People for Puget Sound is a regional environmental organization that has been working with local landowners, community members, school groups, and scientists to restore the estuary since 2002. More intensive restoration work began in October 2010.

The organization is seeking volunteers for a habitat restoration work party from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All tools and equipment will be provided, and supervised children are welcome. Participants are advised to bring sturdy clothes and shoes, a lunch and drinking water. Community member are also welcome to stop by for tours led by landowners and PPS staff members.

“Feel free to come down even if you are not interested in working hard on a Saturday!” organizers say.

Directions to the Cayou Lagoon work party site: Park at the Deer Harbor Community Club. Walk across Deer Harbor Rd. and head north (to the right). Follow a grassy driveway heading down to the left, then follow the wood chip path on the left down to the restoration site. Registration will be set up near the tent. A Google Maps image of the location is available online.

For more information or to RSVP, contact Rachel Benbrook at rbenbrook@pugetsound.org or call (360)333-0651.