Tulalip Tribes

Tulalip partners on estuary restoration nearing completion

Qwuloolt estuary_2Completion is in sight for the Qwuloolt project, one of the largest estuary restorations in the country.

Restoring tidal flow to the 400-acre estuary is a partnership among the Tulalip Tribes, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the city of Marysville, as well as other local, state and federal agencies. Planning for the $11 million project dates back 20 years and involves funding from multiple sources.

“Sometimes it takes a long time to get things done,” said Tulalip Tribes board member Glen Gobin. “None of this could have happened without everyone working together. Most of us will not see the benefits in our lifetime, but our children and grandchildren will see it.” (more…)

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Tribes Minimize Elk Damage with Cost-Effective Fence

Assistant fisheries manager for Stillaguamish, Jeff Tatro, left, and Shawn Yanity, who is both chairman and fisheries manager for the tribe, attach a strand to an elk exclusion fence in Acme.
Assistant fisheries manager for Stillaguamish, Jeff Tatro, left, and Shawn Yanity, who is both chairman and fisheries manager for the tribe, help install an elk exclusion fence in Acme.

The Stillaguamish and Tulalip Tribes collaborated recently with a dairy farm in Acme to put up an elk exclusion fence to minimize pasture damage.

“They have serious damage issues on some of their properties,” said Jennifer Sevigny, wildlife biologist for the Stillaguamish Tribe. “There appear to be a lot of elk spending the majority of the year in and around their farm. This is one way as co-managers we can help address the problem.”

Property owners and farmers in Whatcom and Skagit counties have complained that the recovering Nooksack elk herd destroys fences and devours crops.

“Obviously, the elk want the best feed source, and that’s usually our field,” said Galen Smith, who operates Coldstream Farm with his father-in-law, Jeff Rainey. “We like the elk, but we have to manage them.” (more…)

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Wild turkey population introduced on Tulalip reservation

About 170 wild turkeys were released into a meadow on the Tulalip Tribes reservation in August with the hope they will sustain a harvestable population.

“Tribal hunters don’t have the same access to nutritious protein that they once had,” said Ray Fryberg Sr., fish and wildlife director for the Tulalip Tribes. “Populations of deer and elk have declined and they’re running out of decent habitat.”

A few years ago, the tribes’ natural resources department started planting meadows on the reservation to provide a haven for wildlife. The meadows support populations of deer, small mammals and birds – and now wild turkeys.

“We hope these turkeys will breed successfully and sustain a harvestable population that can feed our community,” Fryberg said. “Having wild turkeys right here on the reservation also could engage tribal youth who haven’t been exposed to our hunting culture.” (more…)

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