People For Puget Sound and local landowners Bob and Meg Connor are seeking the help of volunteers this month to restore habitat in the Cayou Valley Lagoon at Deer Harbor on Orcas Island.

Work parties will be held at the habitat restoration site on March 16 and 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on March 27 from 1 to 4 p.m. Volunteers will install native plants, remove invasive weeds and help clean up shorelines. No experience is necessary and the work is family-friendly, with the requirement that each child under 10 be accompanied by an adult.

Cayou Valley Lagoon is the largest estuary on Orcas Island, and was once a vibrant tidal lagoon with shellfish beds and abundant wildlife.  Man-made changes over the last 150 years have unintentionally degraded the system, and work is underway to bring it back to health.

The restoration site features installation of a stair step weir by local contractors to enable fish passage on Fish Trap Creek. Volunteers will also be able to see innovative mycoremediation techniques using locally-sourced mushrooms to help filter pollutants before they reaches the estuary.  This site is located on private property and is not usually open to the public, so take advantage of this opportunity to come and see habitat restoration in action, say organizers.

Tools will be provided to all volunteers. Volunteers are advised to dress for the weather and rubber boots are recommended.

For more information and to register, contact Rachel Benbrook, rbenbrook@pugetsound.org or (360) 230-1353.