Shorelines

Our diverse work on beaches of Vashon-Maury are helping highlight the islands’ natural shorelines as a regionally important ecological resource. Island beaches form half the shoreline existing in King County, and host major forage fish spawning locations. Salmon born as far away as the Stillaguamish River have been documented feeding along our shores.

Volunteers

Hours

Surveys

Feet of Shoreline Monitored

BeachNET (Nearshore Ecology Team)

Volunteers work in partnership with King County, Washington Department of Natural Resources, and University of Washington to study what happens to shorelines when bulkheads are removed. We monitor physical and biological parameters including terrestrial insect fall out, driftwood, overhanging vegetation, beach profile, sediment size, bird presence, fish use (through snorkel surveys), and beach wrack (the line of seaweed and other flotsam left by tides).

Kelp

In 2023, we received funding to launch surveys to monitor island kelp beds. Alongside a variety of partners we are thrilled to begin this reseach.

Learn More About the Puget Sound Kelp Conservation and Recovery Plan

Maury Island Aquatic Reserve

Learn More About the Washington State Aquatic Reserves Program

Sign Up for the Quarterly Aquatic Reserves Newsletter

Publications & Press

Des Roches, S., LaFuente, J.R., Faulkner, H.S., Morgan, J.R., Perla, B.S., Metler, M., Dethier, M.N., and J.D. Toft. 2022. Shoreline armor removal can restore variability in intertidal ecosystems.Ecological Indicators140:109056.

Toft, J. 2020. NTA Monitoring Program memo of shoreline monitoring efforts in Puget Sound.

Perla, B. 2020. Talk for WSU Beach Naturalist Program

Perla, B. 2020. Tahlequah Restoration Monitoring Report: Pre-restoration baseline. Prepared by Vashon Nature Center for Washington State Ferries. 57 pp.

Miller, K, Martin E and B Perla. 2018. Shoreline Armoring in Puget Sound: Impacts on nearshore habitat in the Maury Island Aquatic Reserve. Poster at Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference, Seattle, WA.

Perla, BS and Metler, MA. 2018. Maury Island Aquatic Reserve Shoreline Monitoring Pre-Restoration Baseline 2016-2018. Vashon Nature Center, Vashon, WA. 56 pp.

Perla, BS. 2013. Maury Island Marine Park first year monitoring results. A report to King County. 15 pp.

Perla, BS. 2013. Maury Island Marine Park restoration baseline documentation. A report to King County and Washington Department of Natural Resources. 32 pp.