Environment briefs -- July 21

Group to urge $100 million for program

The Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition board of directors has voted to recommend that the state's Wildlife and Recreation Program budget be maintained by the state Legislature at $100 million when lawmakers prepare the 2009-11 budget.

The coalition, chaired by former governors Dan Evans and Mike Lowry, is an advocacy group consisting of more than 130 organizations and businesses that supports outdoor recreation and open space protection statewide.

Since 1990, grants provided through the Wildlife and Recreation Program have provided $550 million for more than 900 neighborhood and state parks, ballfields, trails, beaches and wildlife habitat areas.

Volunteer to help chum salmon

The Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group seeks volunteers for a summer chum salmon project on the Union River near Belfair.

Hood Canal summer chum are listed under the federal Endangered Species Act.

The project involves collecting 52 pairs of spawning salmon, then raising their eggs in wild salmon incubators for release into the Tahuya River to supplement small numbers of naturally spawning fish there.

The fish traps require constant oversight, and volunteers are needed for various work shifts Aug. 15 through Oct. 15.

For more information, contact the group's office at 360-275-3575 or e-mail Julie@hcseg.org or visit their office across from Belfair Elementary School.

4-H birdwatching club may get started

Efforts are under way to form a Thurston County 4-H club focused on urban birdwatching.

Club members would participate in a citizen-based science project called Celebrate Urban Birds sponsored by the Cornell University Ornithology Laboratory.

To learn more about Celebrate Urban Birds, go to www.celebrateurbanbirds.org.

Contact the county 4-H office at 360-786-5445, ext. 7913, for more information.

Chehalis River Basin meeting is Friday

The Chehalis River Basin Partnership will meet 9:30 a.m. to noon on Friday at the Lucky Eagle Casino, 12888 188th Ave. S.W., Rochester.

The public is invited to attend to share ideas for improving water quality, water quantity and habitat in the Chehalis River Basin.

For more information, call Janel Spaulding at 360-538-4212.

Conservation district meeting rescheduled

The Thurston Conservation District Board of Supervisors has rescheduled its monthly meeting for 3 p.m. July 29 in Suite A, Building 1 at 2918 Ferguson St. S.W., Tumwater.

For information on district meetings, programs and services, call 360-754-3588.