In partnership with Grays Harbor Conservation District, Pacific Conservation District has been tackling the European green crab problem—a highly destructive invasive species threatening Washington’s marine ecosystems.
The Threat:
European green crabs wreak havoc on eelgrass beds, marsh habitats, shellfish populations, and salmon recovery efforts. Left unchecked, these invaders can destabilize food webs and harm our shellfish aquaculture industry.
The Response:
Since January 2022, an incredible 387,399 European green crabs have been removed from Washington’s marine waters. More than 300K were from the Coast Branch, which includes Willapa and Grays Harbor. This critical effort is a collaboration between conservation districts, tribal nations, state agencies, and local industry partners like the Willapa Grays Harbor Oyster Growers Association.
Thank you, Pacific Conservation District, for leading the charge to protect Washington’s coastal ecosystems—one crab at a time.
Delaini Disher’s photo, “Well-Attended Field Demonstration” captures the use of livestock in sustainable farming, highlighting the importance of biomass collection from a grazed cover crop field.
Mckenzi Coleman's "Exclusion Fence" photo highlights the enduring value of exclusion fencing as a tool for protecting natural resources like salmon streams and safeguarding livestock.
The winning photo from the conservation district calendar contest highlights hands-on salmon education.
