Waves of Excitement at the Annual Kitsap Water Festival!
What a splash! Kitsap Audubon recently took part in the annual Kitsap Water Festival, a fantastic day at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds dedicated to celebrating, understanding, and protecting our region's most precious resource: water.
From the importance of local watersheds to how our everyday actions impact the Puget Sound, the festival is a premier hands-on educational event for local youth. This year, the energy was absolutely electric as our booth welcomed a sea of young minds eager to learn about the birds that depend on clean water and healthy wetlands.
A massive shoutout goes to Cathy Cohoon, who did an outstanding job managing our Kitsap Audubon booth! Cathy expertly shepherded over 1,000 students who arrived at our station in enthusiastic waves and droves. Joining her in the day's festivities were Gene and Sandy Bullock, long-time, dedicated hosts for this wonderful event whose enduring commitment always shines bright. Kitsap Audubon Society has been participating in this event for over 10 years, possibly even 15. We’ll have to check the records.
Big Hits at the Kitsap Audubon Booth
Our station featured two incredibly popular attractions that kept the kids engaged and excited:
Fishing Like Herons: The absolute favorite activity had the kids trying their hand at "fishing" using tongs, mimicking the precision and patience of our local Great Blue Herons. It was a massive hit and a wonderful, hands-on way to teach them how specialized beaks help wetland birds survive.
The Community Bird Easel: Many students were drawn to our vibrant bird poster. We set up an easel and invited them to write down the names of the birds they’ve spotted out in the wild. It was inspiring to see their eyes light up as they recalled their own backyard and neighborhood bird sightings.
Reconnecting with Community Friends
Beyond inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards, the festival was also a wonderful time to connect with old friends. Our long-time Illahee friend Jim Aho stopped by the booth to say hello. He took a moment to share how deeply he and the community appreciate Kitsap Audubon’s generous support over the years—a reminder of why the work we do together in the community matters so much.
Thank you to Kitsap County Public Works, the Kitsap Public Utility District, and all the event co-sponsors for hosting such a vital community event. Most of all, thank you to Cathy, Gene, Sandy, and all of our incredible members who continue to inspire a passion for wildlife and conservation across Kitsap County.
