Friday, February 19, 2010

Seakayaking from Mountains to Ocean:
Reflections on Watershed Ecology in the Washington Pacific Northwest
with Dan Baharav
Tuesday, February 23, 7:00pm
Village Books, 1200 Eleventh Street, Bellingham

Presentation Includes Slide Show.
This book explores the watershed and urban ecologies of the Northern Cascades, the Olympic Peninsula, and the Olympic Coast waterways on both sides of Interstate 5, a major artery of industrial-urban growth, as the author sea kayaks the lakes, rivers, estuaries, deltas, bays and inlets coursing into the Puget Sound and into the Pacific Ocean.

Dan Baharav is an avid outdoorsman traveling the Pacific Ocean waterways in his sea kayak. He holds a Ph.D. in Zoology and Ecology and for the last forty years he has held both academic and consulting posts. His focus is on applying contemporary ecological theories to multi-purpose use of natural resources. Currently, he resides in Bellingham.




Ocean Acidification Presentation
Thursday, March 4, 6 – 7 pm
322 N. Commercial Street
2nd floor

On March 4, the Whatcom County Marine Resources Committee will host a presentation on ocean acidification and its effects on Puget Sound. The event is free and open to the general public.

The speaker is Dr. M. Brady Olson of Western Washington University.
Ocean acidification is the decline in pH of the world’s oceans, due to the uptake of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The change in ocean chemistry is having profound effects on whether organisms such as clams, oysters, crabs, and coral are able to make shells, which affects both their survival as well as the rest of the food web.

Dr. Olson received his Ph.D. in biological oceanography from the University of Washington in 2006. He is currently an instructor in Western Washington University's Biology Department, and a marine scientist at WWU's Shannon Point Marine Center. Dr. Olson and his colleagues just received a $557,000 National Science Foundation grant to study how changing climate, specifically rising carbon dioxide, will affect plankton food web ecology and, in turn, its effects on the overall marine food web.

For more information, contact Whatcom County Public Works at 360-676-6876.




Renewal
a documentary about faith-based communities
and their fight to save the environment

Tuesday, March 9th 6:00pm
RE Sources' Sustainable Living Center,
2309 Meridian Street, Bellingham

According to the producers, " 'Renewal' is the first feature-length documentary film to capture the vitality and diversity of today's religious-environmental activists. From within their Christian, Jewish, Buddhist and Muslim traditions, Americans are becoming caretakers of the Earth.

With great courage, these women and men are re-examining what it means to be human and how we live on this planet. Their stories of combating global warming and the devastation of mountaintop removal, of promoting food security, environmental justice, recycling, land preservation, and of teaching love and respect for life on Earth are the heart of this film."

Stay after the film to hear about RE Sources' own be cool program, and learn about how you or your congregation can start combating climate change!




Our Underwater Neighborhood: A Video Tour
Thursday, March 18, 2010
7 – 9 pm Whatcom County Council Chambers

Volunteer help wanted!

What do these have in common: a 9 foot tall mermaid, the seasons below the surface of Puget Sound, underwater Audubon-like fish counts, derelict fishing gear, a host of creatures that look like they’re from another planet, and student-built robots scooting around underwater?
Answer: you don’t get to see these unless you spend some time underwater -- or unless a diver with a camera brings images of these to the surface.

Underwater videographer John F. Williams will be bringing excerpts from his TV series SEA-Inside: Pacific Northwest to Bellingham, along with a display of underwater photos and an audience-participation discussion about how art, science, education, and recreation are involved in protecting and preserving the health of Puget Sound. Why are those offshore critters important to us? How are we important to them?

SEA-Inside: Pacific Northwest won three awards from Bainbridge Island TV: "Best New Series" (2006), "Best Use of Technology" (2006), and "Best Educational Series" (2007). It also won a national award for "Best Magazine Show" from the Alliance for Community Media in 2009.
Beach Watchers is partnering with the Northwest Straits Initiative, Sea Grant, and the Marine Resources Committee to bring this great program to Bellingham.

If you can help promote this great show via posters, flyers, or announcements, please let me know! Cheryl 676-6736




Whatcom Conservation District's
17th Annual Native Plant Sale and Expo

Saturday, March 20, 2010 9am-4pm
Open sale On the campus of Whatcom Community College

The purpose of the WCD’s annual plant sale is to promote the stewardship and conservation of our natural resources. The plants sold at this sale are “conservation grade”, which means they are graded on their ability to survive, not on their ornamental value. Seedling plants are not large (generally between 10” and 24” tall), so your order will fit in the trunk or back seat of our car. We will have bags and packing materials available at the sale, or feel free to bring your own.
Pre-Order deadline

Planting native trees and shrubs can provide many positive benefits to your property and the natural environment such as improved water quality, enhanced fish and wildlife habitat, reduction of wind and soil erosion, cleaner air, reduction of energy costs, and beautification of your property! Additionally, proceeds from the plant sale support the WCD’s conservation education programs

Pre-orders must be received at the WCD office by Friday March 5, 2009

Pre-order pick ups Friday, March 19th 9am-3:30pm on the campus of Whatcom Community College

To learn more: http://www.whatcomcd.org/PlantSale/PlantSale.html




Beach Walk
Whatcom Land Trust
Saturday June 12th, 10:30 am to 12:30 pm at Marine Park in Fairhaven

Beach Naturalist help wanted.

The Whatcom Land Trust will be conducting a beach walk on Sat., June 12th. It’s a -2.2 tide at 11:30 am.

The event will kick off their summer environmental education program, the Junior Stewards. (I’ll be handing out booklets and getting people’s email addresses. Other than that, it will just be time to explore the beach at low tide.)

I won’t be coordinating at that time so if you are at all interested, please call Connie Clement at the number below to put yourself on her contact list.

Connie Clement
Whatcom Land Trust: Preserving the Nature of Whatcom County
(360) 650-9470

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Upcoming Events February

Poisoned Waters
Tuesday, February 9th
6:00pm
RE Sources' Sustainable Living Center,
2309 Meridian Street, Bellingham

"Poisoned Waters" is a shocking investigation of America's great waterways with a particular focus on Puget Sound. Learn why the Duamish river is in peril, how the Swinomish removed a dam in the Skagit River delta, and how everyday citizens are fighting for clean water.

North Sound Baykeeper, Wendy Steffensen, will compliment the film with a brief overview of our own local waters and what the Baykeeper program is doing to help them.



Beach Watchers Walkabout
Thursday, February 11
10:00 am
Hovander Homestead Park
5299 Nielson Avenue, Ferndale

Finally! I've been itching to get out and hike in good company for awhile, now. I hope many of you are also inclined!

I propose we meet at the big red barn in Hovander Homestead Park at 10 am and then we can decide whether we want to hike the always wonderful Tenant Lake loop, or if we want to take a slightly longer walk along the Nooksack River Dike trail. The County Parks website says that the Nooksack trail has some flood damage but is passable.

If you haven't joined us for one of these yet, I'll tell you it's a great way to connect with each other, stretch your legs, and enjoy our beautiful trails at the same time.

I hope to see you!



Seakayaking from Mountains to Ocean:
Reflections on Watershed Ecology in the Washington Pacific Northwest

with Dan Baharav

Tuesday, February 23
7:00pm
Village Books
1200 Eleventh Street, Bellingham

Presentation Includes Slide Show.
This book explores the watershed and urban ecologies of the Northern Cascades, the Olympic Peninsula, and the Olympic Coast waterways on both sides of Interstate 5, a major artery of industrial-urban growth, as the author sea kayaks the lakes, rivers, estuaries, deltas, bays and inlets coursing into the Puget Sound and into the Pacific Ocean.

Dan Baharav is an avid outdoorsman traveling the Pacific Ocean waterways in his sea kayak. He holds a Ph.D. in Zoology and Ecology and for the last forty years he has held both academic and consulting posts. His focus is on applying contemporary ecological theories to multi-purpose use of natural resources. Currently, he resides in Bellingham.



"Renewal"
a documentary about faith-based communities
and their fight to save the environment

Tuesday, March 9th
6:00pm
RE Sources' Sustainable Living Center,
2309 Meridian Street, Bellingham

According to the producers, " 'Renewal' is the first feature-length documentary film to capture the vitality and diversity of today's religious-environmental activists. From within their Christian, Jewish, Buddhist and Muslim traditions, Americans are becoming caretakers of the Earth.

With great courage, these women and men are re-examining what it means to be human and how we live on this planet. Their stories of combating global warming and the devastation of mountaintop removal, of promoting food security, environmental justice, recycling, land preservation, and of teaching love and respect for life on Earth are the heart of this film."

Stay after the film to hear about RE Sources' own be cool program, and learn about how you or your congregation can start combating climate change!



Whatcom Conservation District's
17th Annual Native Plant Sale and Expo

Saturday, March 20, 2010 9am-4pm
Open sale On the campus of Whatcom Community College

The purpose of the WCD’s annual plant sale is to promote the stewardship and conservation of our natural resources. The plants sold at this sale are “conservation grade”, which means they are graded on their ability to survive, not on their ornamental value. Seedling plants are not large (generally between 10” and 24” tall), so your order will fit in the trunk or back seat of our car. We will have bags and packing materials available at the sale, or feel free to bring your own.
Pre-Order deadline

Planting native trees and shrubs can provide many positive benefits to your property and the natural environment such as improved water quality, enhanced fish and wildlife habitat, reduction of wind and soil erosion, cleaner air, reduction of energy costs, and beautification of your property! Additionally, proceeds from the plant sale support the WCD’s conservation education programs

Pre-orders must be received at the WCD office by Friday March 5, 2009

Pre-order pick ups Friday, March 19th 9am-3:30pm on the campus of Whatcom Community College

To learn more: http://www.whatcomcd.org/PlantSale/PlantSale.html

Monday, December 14, 2009

Upcoming Events December 2010

Poisoned Waters at Padilla Bay
Thursday December 17, 2009, 1pm
Padilla Bay Reserve
10441 Bay View-Edison Road
Mount Vernon

A few months ago a show called Poisoned Waters was aired on a PBS TV program called Frontline. It included trouble in Chesapeake Bay and Puget Sound from excess nutrients and toxic waste and it was quite good.

They then produced a DVD by the same title that focuses only on Puget Sound. It will be shown at the Padilla Bay Reserve at 1:00 on Thursday December 17. The Padilla Bay Reserve will also soon receive a copy of the original program (both Chesapeake and Puget) that is divided into segments with discussion questions that is being distributed by EPA (via the Puget Sound Partnership).

For more information, call Glen "Alex" Alexander at 360-428-1070 or write alex@padillabay.gov



Designing Healthy Coastal Ecosystems
SeaDoc Society's Free E-Course

Begins January 4, 2010

Wondering what cutting edge science has to say about building healthy ecosystems for humans and wildlife?

Take the SeaDoc Society's free month-long e-course on designing healthy coastal ecosystems. You'll get an informative email every three days, each covering one of the ten ecological principles that provide a big picture view of how to create and safeguard a healthy ecosystem. You’ll also be able to use on-line forums to discuss how to most effectively teach these principles.

For more information or to sign up, visit http://www.seadocsociety.org/courses/topten



"Storming The Sound" Workshop
January 29, 9am to 4pm
Maple Hall, La Conner

Storming the Sound is a regional gathering of environmental educators in the K-12 schools (public, private or homeschool), organizations for sharing environmental resources and students interested in pursuing a career in environmental education. Beach Watchers volunteers are always welcome!

Since the year 2000, a "North" Storming the Sound has been taking place each year in La Conner. This one-day workshop is co-organized by People For Puget Sound, Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and the National Park Service.

Storming the Sound presents an opportunity to attend a wide variety of planned sessions organized by leaders of our regional environmental education community. Past workshops topics have included climate change, working with interns, grant-writing and web-based environmental education.

Storming the Sound attendees also get to hear inspiring speakers and meet representatives from over 30 sponsoring organizations who bring with them environmental resources and valuable information to share.

TO REGISTER: Registration is free, but we request a $10 donation at the door to help cover costs of the event. Register online: here
See the "North" Storming the Sound 2009 program: http://www.padillabay.gov/storming/.

For information, contact Ann Butler, (360) 754-9177.



Whatcom Conservation District's
17th Annual Native Plant Sale and Expo
Saturday, March 20, 2010 9am-4pm

Open sale On the campus of Whatcom Community College

The purpose of the WCD’s annual plant sale is to promote the stewardship and conservation of our natural resources. The plants sold at this sale are “conservation grade”, which means they are graded on their ability to survive, not on their ornamental value. Seedling plants are not large (generally between 10” and 24” tall), so your order will fit in the trunk or back seat of our car. We will have bags and packing materials available at the sale, or feel free to bring your own.
Pre-Order deadline

Planting native trees and shrubs can provide many positive benefits to your property and the natural environment such as improved water quality, enhanced fish and wildlife habitat, reduction of wind and soil erosion, cleaner air, reduction of energy costs, and beautification of your property! Additionally, proceeds from the plant sale support the WCD’s conservation education programs

Pre-orders must be received at the WCD office by Friday March 5, 2009

Pre-order pick ups Friday, March 19th 9am-3:30pm on the campus of Whatcom Community College

To learn more: http://www.whatcomcd.org/PlantSale/PlantSale.html

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Cecile Andrews, Less is More
Tuesday, December 1, 7pm
Village Books
1200 Eleventh Street
Bellingham

Just in time for the holidays, Cecile Andrews offers some perspective. Less is More is a compelling collection of essays by people who have been writing about Simplicity for decades –including Bill McKibben, Duane Elgin, Juliet Schor, Ernest Callenbach, John de Graaf, and more. They bring us a new vision of Less: less stuff, less work, less stress, less debt. A life with Less becomes a life of More: more time, more satisfaction, more balance, more security.



Rain Garden presentation to the Birchwood Garden Club
Wednesday, December 2 7pm
Whatcom Museum, Old City Hall
121 Prospect Street
Bellingham

Richard Nevels and I will be promoting rain gardens to the Birchwood Garden Club. Join us if you want to learn or lend a hand!



Elizabeth Grossman, Chasing Molecules: Poisonous Products, Human Health, & the Promise of Green Chemistry
Thursday, December 3, 7pm
Village Books
1200 Eleventh Street
Bellingham

The revolutionary field of green chemistry is introducing products that are “benign by design,” developing manufacturing processes that consider health impacts at every stage, and creating new compounds that mimic rather than disrupt natural systems.



Green Drinks
Wednesday, December 2, 5-8pm
Sustainable Living Center
2309 Meridian Street Bellingham

Green Drinks is an organic networking session that started in London, England. Like-minded individuals meet every month to catch-up and make connections.



Beach Watchers Presentation to the Newcomers Club
Wednesday, January 20, 12 noon
Bellingham Country Club
3729 Meridian Street
Bellingham

I'll be talking to the newcomers about the Beach Watchers program and all the great work you do and all of the fun we have. If you would like to share your story and perhaps recruit new people to your cause, please come join me!

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Beach Watchers Walk and Talk
Friday September 25, 10am to 12 noon
Lake Padden Trail, meet at the playground in Lake Padden Park

I look forward to catching up with you as we enjoy beautiful Lake Padden.




Puget Sound Through an Artist's Eye
September 29, 7-9 pm
Bellingham Public Library

Tony Angell will be reading from his new book (Puget Sound Through an Artist’s Eye) that captures his art and the natural history of Puget Sound. Copies of the book that will be available for $35 plus sales tax and will be signed by the author. For more information go to: http://pugetsound.org/events/Angell




COASST Marine Bird Surveys Training
Saturday October 3, 2009, 12:30 – 4:30 pm
Sustainable Living Center
2309 Meridian Street

Beachwatchers and birders wanted. Become a volunteer of The Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team (COASST) and help make a difference for the environment by monitoring a stretch of beach on a monthly basis and collecting data on beach-cast seabird carcasses. Data collected helps address important marine conservation issues and protect marine resources.

For more information about the training call 733-8307 or email Wendy Steffenson at waters@re-sources.org or Doug Stark at DougS@re-sources.org.




Saving Luna
October 15, 6:30 PM
at the Pickford Cinema
1416 Cornwall Ave., 360.647.1300

What do you do if a little wild whale tries to be your friend? Saving Luna is the story of the baby orca whale who was left behind by his pod in Nootka Sound, BC, and his clever and heartbreaking ways of creating connections with the human residents of the area. Winner of 24 international awards. www.savingluna.com




Built Green Expo
Saturday October 17, 10 am - 5 pm
1650 Baker Creek Place
Bellingham

Join your fellow Beach Watchers as we share our knowledge and enthusiasm about rain gardens and test well-water for nitrates. The Built Green Expo is always filled with interesting information and green products to explore. This year, WSU Extension will be hosting many educational programs as part of the event. Details to follow!




A Sea Change
Thursday, Nov 5 Only!
7 pm at the Pickford Theater
FREE. $5 donation suggested

Imagine a world without fish. A powerful new film on climate change and the oceans proposes just that. A Sea Change is the first documentary about ocean acidification, the underbelly of climate change, a little–known but potentially devastating threat to ocean life. A Sea Change has played to sell–out crowds at major film festivals in Washington, DC, San Francisco and Seattle in 2009.

Dr. Jennifer Hoffman, Senior Scientist with EcoAdapt, will provide closing remarks and answer questions following the screening.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Chuckanut Bay Days
Saturday, August 29, 9 am to noon &
Saturday, September 19, 9 am to noon
The end of Fairhaven Avenue in Bellingham

Join the Whatcom County Marine Resources Committee, Beach Naturalists, and your fellow Beach Watchers on the beach at Mud Bay and learn about this beautiful area and important habitat. The Chuckanut Marsh is the highest quality salt marsh in all of Bellingham. The area provides critical habitat for heron, eagles, osprey, red legged frog, red fox, western tanager, kingfisher, chum, coho, steelhead, cutthroat and salamanders, clams, endangered bull trout, chinook salmon and more!

Volunteers will be exploring and answering questions about the clams and other critters, marvels of the marsh, fish facts, the historic and current water quality and the exciting proposal to open the marsh to fish and improve the area.

Parking is very limited so carpool, bike or hike (carefully!) from the North Chuckanut Trailhead or Arroyo Park.

RSVP by August 27 for the first event, by September 17 for the second. Hope to see you there!




Inside Smart Trips
A presentation with Susan Horst of Smart Trips and Maureen McCarthy of Whatcom Transportation Authority
Wednesday, August 26th
6:00pm - 7:00pm
Sustainable Living Center, 2309 Meridian Street

Now completing its third year, our locally-grown Smart Trips program has over 10,000 participants. Together they've logged nearly 20 million "miles not driven." Learn how the program continues to evolve, and discover recent data revealing Whatcom County's richest opportunities for turning more trips into Smart Trips.

More information contact Megan Artz at MeganA@re-sources.org




Shoals and Shores of Chuckanut Bay
Thursday September 3, 2009, 6:15 pm to 7:15 pm
Presentation for the Marine Resources Committee at 322 N. Commercial Street

Join Bellingham Greenway's program coordinator and local historian Tim Wahl for a fascinating look at the history of the Chuckanut Bay area and Woodstock Farm.




One Back Yard at a Time
Video Stream Workshop - Coming to a computer near you!
September 15, 2009 – 9:00 am to 11:30 am (PDT)
RSVP to Cheryl Lovato Niles or Sue Blake 676-6736

Want to do something ‘green’ and good for the environment, as well as beautiful?
Does rainwater run off your property into the street?
Does your neighbor’s rainwater run onto your property?
What is a rain garden?
How big does a rain garden need to be?
What plants should be included in a rain garden?
Why does that house have plants growing on the roof?

These are just a few of the questions we will answer in the September 15 th broadcast of Stormwater Management: One Backyard at a Time! The WSU Video team toured Whidbey Island, Washington, Bend, Oregon, and Ketchum/Sun Valley Idaho to see what home and business owners, developers, city engineers and mayors are initiating to curb the pollution running to the surface and ground waters. Examples of Best Management Practices being implemented in the three distinct climates of the case studies give a well rounded illustration of the various methods available.




International Coastal Cleanup
September 19th

Help rid our beaches of unwanted waste and debris!

On Saturday, September 19th, RE Sources is coordinating a Puget Sound-wide beach cleanup. All debris will be collected and tallied with other cleanups across the state, nation, and world.

To sign up for the cleanup, click here or contact
Lisa Friend with RE Sources at Recycle@re-sources.org if you have questions.




Puget Sound Through an Artist's Eye
September 29, 7-9 pm
Bellingham Public Library

Tony Angell will be reading from his new book (Puget Sound Through an Artist’s Eye) that captures his art and the natural history of Puget Sound. Copies of the book that will be available for $35 plus sales tax and will be signed by the author. For more information go to: http://pugetsound.org/events/Angell

Friday, June 26, 2009

July 2009

Sustainable Connections Home & Landscape Tour
Saturday June 27 & Sunday June 28, 10:00 am-5:00 pm both days
Locations throughout Whatcom County, WA
Info Line: 360-647-7093 x108
http://www.sconnect.org/greenbuilding/events

The Seventh Annual Imagine This! Home and Landscape Tour features the BEST in natural, eco-friendly, creative and cost-effective homes and landscapes & the businesses that help create them! Features for this years tour include:
  • Green roofs
  • Creative use of re-cycled building materials
  • LEED for Homes
  • Onsite rain barrel demonstrations
  • Natural, low maintenance, low cost landscapes
  • Renewable/solar energy
  • Onsite rain barrel workshop
Tickets purchased online can be picked-up during the Tour at the Sustainable Connections office (1701 Ellis St. Ste. 221). 10am-5pm June 27th & 28th.



Green Drinks Bellingham
Returns to its roots by visiting Boundary Bay's outdoor beer garden. Make it a double-hitter and stay for "Yogoman's Wild Rumpus" with music and hula hoops starting at 8pm!
Wednesday, July 1st, 5:00pm-7:00pm
Boundary Bay beer garden, 1107 Railroad Ave., Bellingham
Sponsored by RE Sources for Sustainable Communities



Marine Resources Committee Meeting
July 2, 2009
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Civic Center, 322 N. Commercial Street, 2 nd Floor Conference Room

Brian Bingham of WWU will present findings from a baseline biological and physical monitoring project at Cliffside Beach. Linda Lyshall will give an update from the Puget Sound Partnership, and Keats Garman will present on a potential eelgrass monitoring project in Bellingham Bay. As always, the public is welcome and encouraged to attend.



Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) in the Northwest: Climate change,energy and the movement against new fossil fuel imports

Tuesday, July 7th, 7:00pm
Sustainable Living Center 2309 Meridian Street

Join Dan Serres, Conservation Director of the Columbia Riverkeeper to screen the film, "Crossroads on the Columbia," and discuss the details of proposed LNG terminals in Washington State.

For more information, contact Wendy Steffensen, the North Sound Baykeeper, at waters@re-sources.org.



Celebrate with COSEE - Ocean Learning Communities and the Seattle Aquarium Beach Naturalist Program!
August 4th, 2009, 6:30 pm- 9:30 pm
Seattle Aquarium Great Hall and Life on the Edge exhibit

For Marine Program Staff and Volunteers, Ocean Scientists (We are sorry we will not be able to accommodate extra guests/family members at this event).

View current Ocean Science Research and Learning Science posters and talk to the scientists.
  • Mingle with other Marine Program Volunteers and Staff and Ocean Scientists and Educators
  • Dinner will be served
  • Scientist Speaker – TBA on ocean/marine related topic
  • Complete a brief evaluation of the evening
  • The infamous COSEE-OLC Raffle!
  • Stay tuned for information on how to reserve a space for the 4th!



Inside Smart Trips
A presentation with Susan Horst of Smart Trips and Maureen McCarthy of Whatcom Transportation Authority
Wednesday, August 26th
6:00pm - 7:00pm
Sustainable Living Center, 2309 Meridian Street

Now completing its third year, our locally-grown Smart Trips program has over 10,000 participants. Together they've logged nearly 20 million "miles not driven." Learn how the program continues to evolve, and discover recent data revealing Whatcom County's richest opportunities for turning more trips into Smart Trips.

More information contact Megan Artz at MeganA@re-sources.org



Save the Date!
One Back Yard at a Time
Video Stream Workshop - Coming to a computer near you!
September 15, 2009 – 9:00 am to 11:30 am (PDT)
Location TBD

Want to do something ‘green’ and good for the environment, as well as beautiful?
Does rainwater run off your property into the street?
Does your neighbor’s rainwater run onto your property?
What is a rain garden?
How big does a rain garden need to be?
What plants should be included in a rain garden?
Why does that house have plants growing on the roof?

These are just a few of the questions we will answer in the September 15 th broadcast of Stormwater Management: One Backyard at a Time! The WSU Video team toured Whidbey Island, Washington, Bend, Oregon, and Ketchum/Sun Valley Idaho to see what home and business owners, developers, city engineers and mayors are initiating to curb the pollution running to the surface and ground waters. Examples of Best Management Practices being implemented in the three distinct climates of the case studies give a well rounded illustration of the various methods available.