Friends of Camano Island Parks strives to keep Camano a wildlife friendly island by training volunteers to serve as Habitat Stewards to help the Camano Wildlife Habitat Project create, preserve, enhance, and restore wildlife habitat. This year the training will be offered by the Snohomish Conservation District and the National Wildlife Federation in Stanwood in Spring 2013. The program provides a host of great speakers, interesting field trips and the opportunity to complete a community project with the support of local experts. The program's goal is to train volunteers to mentor children; work with schools and local groups; and restore, maintain and create wildlife habitat.

Class participants will learn the basics of providing food, water, cover and habitat for wildlife to raise their young. Local experts will teach about native plants, streams and wetlands, adding perch poles and more. The Habitat Stewards program is a great opportunity to give back to your community, meet new people, and learn more about wildlife and their needs. The classes will be held on April 10, 17, 24, & May 1 from 5:30 to 8:00 PM at the Stanwood PUD, 9124 271st NW. The field trips will be held on Saturday, April 20 and 27. There is no charge for the program but you must register at this weblink: http://wildlifestewards.eventbrite.com

For more information, call Lois Ruskell, 425-335-5634, ext 108 or outreach@snohomishcd.org. For information about Camano's Community Wildlife Habitat Project, visit www.camanowildlifehabitat.org.