Sustainable Bainbridge has joined in partnership with the Puget Sound Restoration Fund  along with a number of other local groups to create a Community Shellfish Farm (CSF) on Bainbridge Island.  The CSF will both provide the Bainbridge Island community with locally grown clams and oysters while fostering efforts in protecting water quality and the preservation of our Bainbridge Island marine ecosystem. 

Current partners include: Puget Sound Restoration Fund; Bloedel Reserve; Bainbridge Island Watershed Council; City of Bainbridge Island; Bainbridge Island School District; Kitsap Health District; and Washington Department of Health.

The long term goal is to support ongoing community involvement in local farming, water quality protection, and to use the proceeds of the sales of shellfish to fund local shoreline habitat and water quality improvements.

The CSF is scheduled to be launched in the Fall 2009. Volunteers from the Island will be an integral part of all aspects of the CSF from planting and cultivating seed to harvesting and selling shellfish at local farmers markets, grocery stores and area restaurants.

Visit the Puget Sound Restoration Fund website at http://www.restorationfund.org  to learn more.  Find out more details about the project by reading the draft project proposal which can be found at http://www.restorationfund.org/projects-shellfishfarm-bainbridge.php