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

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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

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"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.

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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