Beach lovers of Island County, there is a new book for you!

“Getting to the Water’s Edge,” the resource guide for the shores of Whidbey and Camano Islands, has been re-published in a new edition.

Published by the Island County Marine Resources Committee and WSU Beach Watchers, the pocket-sized, spiral-bound field guide is lauded as the most complete resource of its kind about the local area. It is the deluxe new second edition after a modest black-and-white booklet was originally printed in 1994.

“Getting to the Water’s Edge” reveals 67 places on Whidbey and Camano islands where the public can bask in the joys of the shore. It includes 18 maps of places to hike and explore and sections about shoreline creatures, birding, kayaking, fishing, clamming, dog parks, geology and more. Plenty of color photographs add to the book’s enticement.

“If you live here and are curious about this marvelous place, don’t leave home without this book,” said Don Meehan, director of WSU Extension, Island County. “If you love our beaches and parks, go kayaking or clamming, have a dog or a bicycle, or watch birds, you need this resource.”

The book was researched and written by an experienced team. Sarah Schmidt of Coupeville is a biologist and former coordinator of WSU Beach Watchers. Dan Pedersen of Langley is communications manager of the Marine Resources Committee and grew up on Whidbey and Camano. Stacey Neumiller of Coupeville, the book’s graphic designer, is marketing coordinator for WSU Extension, Island County.

“We set out to update and improve the site descriptions in the original 1994 edition,” said Schmidt. “But we ended up including 18 new trail maps and a wealth of new content. Along the way we explained many points of outdoor etiquette and why they matter.”

Pedersen said the Marine Resources Committee, Beach Watchers and Shore Stewards care passionately about teaching people to be good stewards of our lands and waters.

“We included many helpful tips about best practices – ways to enjoy our islands without harming them,” he said.

Pedersen said the book explains how readers can make a difference through the Shore Stewards program or through Beach Watchers.

The book is part of the Marine Resources Committee’s campaign to introduce the Admiralty Inlet and Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Areas, two large educational areas created two years ago by Island County commissioners.

“Getting to the Water’s Edge” is on sale for $15 at Moonraker Books in Langley, The Book Bay in Freeland and Wild Birds Unlimited in Clinton.

The guide is also available for sale at the main office of WSU Extension in Coupeville and at the Admiralty Head Lighthouse gift shop at Fort Casey. It may also be ordered through the mail from the WSU Extension Website at www.island.wsu.edu.

Proceeds from sales go into a fund for publication of a future edition, continuing the educational work of the Marine Resources Committee and WSU Beach Watchers.