About

We’ve had a great year for education on the beach. See NEWS for a report about our beach walks from July and August. Beach Walks 2024 Also, take a look at our new section under GALLERY of What Lives IN and ON the Beach. This is just a sampling with many more photos to come of all the fascinating living things we find during our sessions. On Friday, September 27th at 1030am, we will host experts from Washington SeaGrant and Harbor Wildwatch to teach us about the Molt Search project, important work to involve citizens in the effort to identify the invasive European Green crab. If you wish to attend, contact Ron through email (below). We can accommodate any number of people, but would like to know if you are coming. Details about Johnson Point location will be sent to those who RSVP.

Members of the Board of Protect Henderson Inlet will visit the Squaxin Island Museum Library and Research Center on August 23rd. Look for a NEWS report about our field trip to learn more about the history of tribes in Henderson Inlet and nearby lands.

Attention Citizen Scientists: PHI is currently coordinating with University of Washington snail and Green crab expert, Dr. Emily Grason about survey of Henderson Inlet for the invasive Japanese oyster drill, which is a scourge of the native Olympia oyster. We anticipate that opportunities will be available to members of the public to aid in this research, which we hope will eventually lead to more effective Olympia oyster restoration. Watch this site for further reporting and educational resources. Contact Ron through the website if you are interested.

PHI recently hosted Dr. Hilary Hayford of the Puget Sound Restoration Fund to speak about her organization’s efforts to restore the Olympia oyster. If you missed it, you can read about it here under RESTORATION. https://protecthendersoninlet.org/public-meeting-1-16-24-restoring-the-olympia-oyster-dr-hilary-hayford-puget-sound-restoration-fund/

The public hearing for the Taylor Mazanti geoduck aquaculture project (#2022103702) near Johnson Point Loop was held on January 9th, 2024 at 11:00am by phone or Zoom only. PHI and numerous other citizens voiced strong opposition to this permit. The audio of the hearing can be found at the Thurston county Website; a link is available at NEWS. Sharon Rice, hearing examiner for Thurston County, found in favor of Taylor Shellfish and approved the permit. Taylor Shellfish has since then extensively planted this pristine site. PHI opposes geoduck aquaculture based on review of available science. See other discussions under THREATS and SCIENCE.

Exciting news! Our organization is now a 501c3 non-profit, thanks to the hard work of George Johnston, PHI Treasurer. Thanks, George. Donations are now tax deductible. Please see details below. You may be visiting because you received a postcard in the mail. Welcome! Please consider supporting our all-volunteer organization.

News – Eelgrass has been planted on Otis Beach! See this exciting update by Tonni Johnston. https://protecthendersoninlet.org/spring-2023-eelgrass-planting-otis-beach/

See the new item LIBRARY in our top menu. Tonni has put together a great reading list. Check it out!

About us:

Protect Henderson Inlet is a non-profit group made up of citizens interested in understanding and safeguarding the health of Henderson Inlet including its water, birds, fish, mammals and people.  We are dedicated to defending this environment as a part of the greater Puget Sound. Board meetings are open to the public – contact us if you are interested in attending.

Mission:

Protect Henderson Inlet (PHI) exists to educate residents and the general public about the natural beauty, diversity, and fragility of the Inlet, and to encourage ecologically sound practices based on good science. PHI will oppose forces that could potentially harm the ecosystem, create aesthetic harm, limit appropriate recreation, or negatively affect property values.

Board and Officers

President Ron Smith

Vice President Tonni Johnston

Treasurer George Johnston

Secretary Deb Hall

Members at large: Cynthia Sheller, David Hall, Bill Reus

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