Christina Koons is a longtime supporter and sponsor of the SeaDoc Society’s Ocean Night live event series through her work with the San Juan County Marine Resources Committee. Among with their many year-round local efforts, the MRC will co-host a Salish Sea Science Symposium on the implications of noise from Navy aircraft along with Western Washington University on March 16 from 4-6pm. We caught up with Christina to ask her some questions about why she loves this place and feels compelled to protect it.
What initially inspired you to support SeaDoc Society?
I support SeaDoc because I am interested in their research work to restore the Salish Sea. I really like that the organization is based in the San Juans, on Orcas, and it is associated with a UC Davis. Although the reach of SeaDoc is broad, I like that it is part of the San Juan Islands’ culture.
What is your biggest concern about Salish Sea health?
I’m concerned about what it is going to take to restore the Salish Sea and I wanted to get involved as a volunteer. Many of us who have lived here wish the extraordinary beauty of the Salish Sea, and especially the San Juans, matched with the actual health of the marine ecosystem. We all need to pitch in together to help restore the Salish Sea. There is so much people can do.
A few years ago I joined San Juan County’s Marine Resource Committee, which is a voluntary citizens advisory group to county government. The mission is to protect and restore the marine waters, habitats and species of the Salish Sea.
What are your favorite aspects of SeaDoc Society as an organization?
I like that SeaDoc works on outreach to young people, educating them about the sea. The Nature Guide for Kids and Junior SeaDoctors are super.
Why should others consider supporting ocean health?
The extraordinary effort of collective action among partners, funders and volunteers is what is takes to protect the Salish Sea. Government plays a huge role, but private donors are essential. A good example of the role of government is the Northwest Straits Initiative started in 1998. San Juan County is one of seven counties, Clallam, Island, Jefferson, Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom, along the northern straits of Washington that collaborate on education, rain gardens, anchor-out areas, kelp, crab and forage fish monitoring and much more. San Juan County projects include the Whale Warning Flag, Plastic Free Salish Sea, research on Southern Resident Killer Whales, updating the Marine Stewardship Area Plan, Oil Spill Prevention, renovation of the Orcas Landing ferry terminal into a marine interpretive area and recently launched an Adopt a Beach program so locals can care for the beaches they love.
What’s your favorite species in the Salish Sea?
Today my favorite species are the awesome kelp forests.