May 2009

Marine Mammal Stranding Network Training
Saturday May 16, 10am-1pm
WSU Extension Office 1000 N. Forest Street

To respond to marine mammal strandings, volunteer stranding networks were established in all coastal states and are authorized through Letters of Authority from the NMFS regional offices. Through a National Coordinator and five regional coordinators, NMFS oversees, coordinates, and authorizes these activities and provides training to personnel.

Learn more about the network and how to get involved.
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Blue Thumb Workshop
Saturday May 16, 10am - 2:30pm
Blaine Boating Center, 235 Marine Drive, Blaine

Carol Williams, Port of Bellingham
Award winning landscape architect presents beautiful choices for coastal gardens

David Dopps - Landscaper
Invite wildlife into your world by creating backyard habitat

Colleen Burrows – WSU Extension
Control common pests with non-toxic methods

James Mayfield - Master Composter/Recycler Volunteer
Learn how to make a rain barrel

$10 per person, $7 for Shore Stewards
Includes Lunch
Free to Beach Watchers if you help out!

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Shoreline Tour with Beach Naturalists: Tideflat Treasures and Tribulations
Saturday, May 23, 10-11:30 am & Sunday, June 7, 10-11:30 am, Birch Bay State Park
Saturday, June 20, 10-11:30 am (also at Semiahmoo County Park)
Explore the shore for buried treasures and other biological wonders! Embarking from the wildlife theater at Birch Bay State Park, we’ll trek down the watershed (a short walk), pausing along the way to reveal some hidden dangers to our bay and to appreciate what people in our community are doing to protect it. Down on the tideflats, we’ll dig for treasured clams and seek out other intertidal wonders with roving volunteer Beach Naturalists.

On-the-beach tours are scheduled from 10-11:30 on the dates below, with volunteer Beach Naturalists continuing explorations until 1pm.

For more information:
Beach Naturalists, a program of RE Sources for Sustainable Communities: www.re-sources.org/beachnaturalist.htm or contact Doug Stark at RE Sources, 733-8307, or dougs@re-sources.org.

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Grand Opening of Point Whitehorn Park
Monday, May 25th (Memorial Day)
11:00am – 1:30pm

The official opening of this beautiful park is an event not to be missed! The ceremonies will begin at 11:00 with a brief presentation by County Executive Pete Kremen and representatives of Whatcom Land Trust. The group will then enjoy the ¾-mile trail through the wooded wetlands to the scenic overlooks and down to the beach.

Beach Watchers will teach wetland wonders to visitors along the way.

A -2.8 tide will allow visitors to experience the sea life that is often hidden from view. Beach Watcher and Beach Naturalist volunteers will be available to provide information on that sea life. This is an event the whole family will enjoy!