A long time ago, a friendly Mud Monster lived on Puget Sound. He made his home along the grassy shores, and he explored the mud flats, wooded lowlands, river estuaries, and rocky points.

Despite being the only Puget Sound monster, the Mud Monster was a social creature, with an open, friendly demeanor, much like his Puget Sound home—a safe and welcoming harbor. He made friends with the salmon and orcas, the shorebirds, and all of the small shoreline mammals. And being a gourmet, the Mud Monster enjoyed the grasses and small native shrubs that flourished along the shoreline. He loved his home and he thrived.

But gradually, Puget Sound shorelines became polluted with litter and garbage that the Mud Monster had stepped in or stubbed his toe on one too many times. At the same time, invasive plants proliferated, choking waterways and displacing native plants, the very ones he had enjoyed for years and years. With his home dirty and his favorite foods being displaced, The Mud Monster became afraid and hungry. So he ran away.

Fortunately, the Mud Monster found a Mud Buddy who understands and empathizes with him. The buddy can even translate for him. Quickly the two became inseparable, even if a little secretive.

Meanwhile, a group of people, muddy and fun-loving all, formed after they heard of the Mud Monster's plight. They want to help the Mud Monster return to his natural home. To convince the monster that it will be okay for him to go home, the muddy people have committed to help clean and restore Puget Sound shorelines. And so they've developed a plan—a fun one—that just might work. It's called MudUp.

Find out about sighting the Mud Monster.