Pierce County Shellfish Partners is hosting a free workshop on the basics of beach habitat and shoreline living. The workshop will be held Saturday, May 19 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Key Peninsula Civic Center in Vaughn.

Speakers and topics include Beach 101; Shoreline Geology, Puget Sound Action Team; Shoreline Habitat, Randi Thurston, Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife; Bivalve Biology, Kris Phelps, Nisqually Indian Tribe; Living on the Edge; History of Shellfish on the Key Peninsula, Tim Kezele, Key Peninsula Historical Society; Landscaping Near the Shore, Terri King, Washington SeaGrant; Caring for Your Septic System, Chris Matter-Reinhart, Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department; Animal Keeping (Large and Small) for Nearshore Residents, Erin Ewald, Pierce Conservation District; and Stormwater and Your Nearshore Property, John Collins, Pierce County Water Programs.

Shellfish Partners was created in 2005 to promote protection of water quality, shellfish resources, and habitat on the beaches of Pierce County. The program was initiated as a joint effort between Pierce County Public Works and Utilities Water Programs Division, Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, and Pierce Conservation District. Additional organizations such as the Key Peninsula-Gig Harbor-Islands Watershed Council and the Puget Sound Action Team later became involved.