Who We Are
Whidbey Watershed Stewards is a non-profit 501c(3) corporation working with the Island County community to promote watershed stewardship, habitat enhancement, and environmental education for all ages.  Whidbey Watershed Stewards promotes nearshore and watershed health by linking water, land, wildlife and people on Whidbey Island through education, research, and restoration.

Our adventure began in 1991, when students and teachers from the South Whidbey Intermediate School imagined a stream site where they could release the salmon fry they had raised in a classroom aquarium and learn more about the local environment.

Our first logo

Educators, parents, and local experts collaborated to form Chums of the Maxwelton Salmon Adventure in
December 1994, then brought the
community together to realize the vision
of the Maxwelton Outdoor Classroom.

Classroom dedication, 1997

The Mission Expands
Recognizing that salmon are only one indicator of a healthy watershed,
MSA's mission soon broadened to concern for the whole watershed and all of its inhabitants.
Our work included research and study, landowner assistance, creekside restoration with native plants, and watershed education for adults. We published A Journey Through the Maxwelton Watershed in 2002 to highlight the area's history and stewardship efforts.

Our annual budget, funded by private donations and grants, is approximately $50,000 plus project-specific grants and contracts which vary from year to year. >> View our 2011 Annual Report and Request for Support