Tumwater Pet Fair -- July 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tumwater Historical Park

Lots of fun, free family activities! Stop by the Stream Team Booth for a free "Bags on Board" pet waste bag dispenser! For more event info:  TumwaterPetFair.com

Bike Your Watershed: The Deschutes -- July 25
8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Tumwater Historical Park

Bike routes of 5, 17 or 32 miles. Helmets are required. Stop by the Stream Team Booth and enjoy salmon-related art activities! For more information: web.mac.com/bikeyourwatershed/Site/Welcome.html

Stream Bug Monitoring in Yelm -- July 25

Stream Team is looking for volunteers to stir things up this summer, specifically “stream bugs”  in local streams in the Yelm area. (No experience is necessary!) Stream bugs are the critters that live in the bottom of streams. They provide valuable information regarding water quality and the biological health of streams. Stream bugs, otherwise known as benthic macroinvertebrates, are also fun to collect and examine! 

 Volunteers are needed for the following dates: 1) Eaton Creek on July 15 at 10 a.m.; 2) Yelm Creek on July 19 at 10 a.m.; and 3) Thompson Creek on July 25 at 11 a.m. People interested in volunteering should contact Ann Marie Finan at 754-3355, ext. 6857 or via e-mail at finanam@co.thurston.wa.us.

Marine Creature Mondays -- July 26 & August 9 at Boston Harbor Marina
11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

What lies beneath the sea? Down on the bottom of Puget Sound lives lots of creatures out of our sight. What are they and how do they feed, grow, and reproduce?  See and learn about these creatures without getting wet at Stream Team’s Marine Creature Mondays at Boston Harbor Marina. 

Join diver Phil Sconce and marine biologist David Jamison for an hour program on the docks of Boston Harbor Marina. This fun activity teaches a little bit about Puget Sound marine life, the habitat needed to keep them alive and well, and what we can do to keep Puget Sound healthy. 

The dates are July 26 and August 9.  The sessions are held twice a day at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.  Reservations required. Not suited for children under four years of age. Non-swimmers and young children must wear a lifejacket (loaners are available at the marina). Call (360) 570-5841 or e-mail  ppyle@ci.olympia.wa.us to to inquire about space and make a reservation.  Limited to 20 people per session.   

Experience Puget Sound -- July 29
1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Olympia Timberland Library

Join City of Olympia’s Michelle Stevie to learn about common marine creatures living in South Puget Sound using a touch tank with live marine critters! The exhibit will include inhabitants found during low tide. This is a great event for children and families. Olympia Timberland Library is located at 313 8th Ave. S.E. in Olympia

Fruiting Native Plants for Beginners Workshop -- Aug. 4
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Come learn about berries that grow in the Pacific NW!  We'll discuss how fruiting plants provide important habitat, food and protect water resources, how to identify common berries and how to help create a "berry" healthy watershed.  Participants will get to sample food made from local berries and take home FREE native plants!

Registration is required to get FREE plants. For more information or to register, contact Jennifer at 360-867-2577 or by email: johnsoj@co.thurston.wa.us

Puget Sound's Wildside -- Aug. 5
7:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. at Olympia Timberland Library

Learn about Puget Sound’s wildside with Lindsey Johnson, Harbor Wildwatch Volunteer; Michael Behrens, Marine Ecology Professor at Pacific Lutheran University and copy editor of the revised edition of Puget Sound’s Wildside; Megan Healy, professor of Environmental Science at Centralia Community College; and John Valentine, scientist turned middle school teacher.

For more information about the book and speakers visit:  www.kitsapsun.com/news/2009/dec/23/harbor-wildlife-publishes-nes-book or http://bit.ly/amyCWN

Fruiting Native Plants for Beginners Nature Walk -- Aug. 8
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Join Adam Sant, from the Thurston Conservation District, and Ann Marie Finan, from Thurston County Stream Team, as they lead a walk to teach about common fruiting native plants and their valuable habitat characteristics.  They will discuss plant identification features, habitat requirements and planting techniques. Registration is required.  For more information or to register, contact Jennifer @ 360-867-2577 or by email: johnsoj@co.thurston.wa.us

Become a Salmon Steward This Year -- Training Begins Aug. 16

If you’ve ever thought about being a Salmon Steward, consider signing up this year.  Being a Salmon Steward is a rewarding experience!  As a volunteer educator and interpreter, you get to enjoy being outside watching the salmon and talking to people about what you have learned!  Stream Team provides the training, materials, and props you need to help explain the answers to frequently asked questions.  New Salmon Stewards are expected to attend all basic trainings and field visits. 

Basic Training Part 1:  Monday, Aug. 16 from 6:30 to 9:00 PM

Basic Training Part 2: Tuesday, Aug. 24 from 6:30 to 9:00 PM

Both trainings are at Traditions Fair Trade Store and Café conveniently located 3 blocks from the 5th Avenue Dam at 300 5th Avenue, SW, Olympia, WA.  

Field Training Part 1:  Saturday, Aug. 21 from 10 a.m. to noon at the 5th Avenue Bridge

Field Training Part 2: Saturday, Sept. 11 from 10 a.m. to noon at Tumwater Falls Park

Field Training Part 3: late October at McLane Creek Nature Trail

For more information or to sign up contact Patricia at ppyle@ci.olympia.wa.us or (360)-570-5841.