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.

Friday, May 29, 2009

Green Drinks

Green Drinks Bellingham gears up for summer at the Sustainable Living Center where we'll have Boundary Bay beer, wine, and appetizers by Market Street Catering. Bring a friend or two and meet your green community!

Remember to bring your own drinking vessel to reduce waste at this event. We will have some reusable or compostable cups available but best not to count on our limited supply.

What: Green Drinks Bellingham

When: Wednesday, June 3rd

Time: 5:00pm-8:00pm

Where: RE Sources' Sustainable Living Center, 2309 Meridian Street, above the RE Store. (Entrance via stairs in the back parking lot.)

Parking: Please park on the street if arriving before 6pm as the parking lot is for RE Store customers only. Better yet, ride your bike, walk, or take the bus.

Admission: always free


Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Network Presentation

Thursday, June 4, 6pm - 7pm

322 N. Commercial Street

Join the Marine Resources Committee to hear Mariann Carrasco describe the Marine Mammal Stranding Network, recent strandings, and how to get invovled. Marine Resource Committee Meetings are always open to the public.


Salmon at the Bay

June 13th, 2009

Boundary Bay Brewery, 1107 Railroad Avenue, Bellingham

Bring your friends and family to share in the celebration of salmon, featuring local artists, local musicians, and local food. All event and art auction proceeds benefit NSEA programs to restore sustainable wild salmon runs in Whatcom County. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door. The festivities will also continue into the evening with a late show by Lucky Brown and the Funk Revolution, a six-piece funk and soul dance band for those over 21.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

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.
________________________________________

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!




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.



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!

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

April 2009 Upcoming Events and Opportunities

On-Site Sewer Operations and Maintenance Program &
Bellingham Bay Seismic Hazards

Thursday April 2, 6:15 & 7:15 pm
Whatcom Marine Resources Committee Meeting, 322 N. Commercial Street, Bellingham

Two guest speakers will be presenting at the Marine Resource Committee meeting. As always, the public is welcome and encouraged to attend.

At 6:15 pm, John Wolpers from the Whatcom County Health Department will talk about on-site sewer operations and maintenance programs administered by the County – this topic has tremendous implications for water quality.

At 7:15 pm, Bob Mitchell from WWU will present on Bellingham Bay waterfront seismic hazards



Marine Invasive Species Monitoring (MISM)
Monday April 13, 6 to 9 pm
322 N. Commercial Street on the second floor

Ann Eissenger wildlife biologist with Nahkeeta Northwest will explain the threat of marine invasive species, train us in monitoring techniques and introduce the MISM program.

The Puget Sound Marine Invasive Species Volunteer Monitoring Program (MISM) is a new citizen-science shoreline monitoring effort – targeting 32 non-native marine and estuarine organisms. The purpose of the program is to identify the distribution of selected non-native species and provide early detection for high-risk invaders.

You are all welcome to join us for this Beach Watchers training session or any others you wish to brush up on. I sent out a course agenda earlier this month to everyone. Please just let me know when you would like to come.



Lily Point - A Guided Exploration
Saturday April 18, 10:00 am
Meet at the Point Roberts Cemetery at the east end of APA Rd.
Point Roberts, Washington

Join experts from Whatcom Land Trust and Whatcom County Parks as they take us through a guided exploration of the landscape, marine life, flora and fauna of the diverse and unique Lily Point. Guides will provide insight into the past and highlights for the future.

If you haven't been yet - Lily Point includes high-bank waterfront which encompasses a 200-foot sandy cliff and stunning views of Boundary Bay, Mount Baker and the Strait of Georgia. The mature forest is home to big-leaf maple, Douglas fir and red alder trees. Residents include sea stars, seaweed, Pacific herring, Chinook salmon, orcas, bald eagles, great blue heron and marbled murrelet.

Attendees should please remember to bring proper identification to pass through the Canadian-US Border crossing.

For more information or to volunteer, call:
Samantha 604.838.7956
Linda 360.945.0812



HAZWOPER Training
Saturday April 18, 8am - 5pm
Marine Spill Response Corporation Office, 1330 Industry Street, #110, Everett WA

This class is intended primarily for those individuals who are interested in assisting with oiled wildlife rescue efforts in the event of an oil spill. This one day training is primarily designed to provide you with the skills needed to recognize and react in protecting yourself to the hazards that are associated with an oil spill event.

Registration - Please contact Andy Carlson at andy.carlson@dfw.wa.gov or 360-902-8125 at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife by April 10, 2009.
There is no charge for this class, but pre-registration is required. Lunch is not included.



Gooseberry Point Beach Clean-Up and Explorations

Sunday April 19, 10am Beach Clean-up, 11am Guided Beach Walk
The beach across from 2562 Lummi View Drive, next to the fish dock - Gooseberry Point

Join fellow Beach Watchers for a guided beach exploration for the Gooseberry Point neighborhood. If you want to lend a hand cleaning up the beach, gloves and bags will be provided. Coffee and muffins provided by Starbucks.



Ecology of the Salish Sea Nearshore
Tuesday April 21, 7:30 - 9:00pm, Downtown Bellingham Library (downstairs)
For questions contact Norm Neilsen:norm@wakekayak.org

Chris Fairbanks will explain the physical and biological characteristics of our region’s rich marine nearshore environment and the natural processes that maintain the nearshore habitat. Chris Fairbanks is a consultant in fisheries, marine, and estuarine sciences. He is a very knowledgeable and personable guy - this should be good!



Shoreline Management and Stabilization Using Vegetation
Thursday, April 23, 9am-4pm
Seattle, WA $60 lunch included

This one-day intensive workshop is geared toward local shoreline planners, permitters, consultants, and state agency staff. The workshop focuses on the vegetation component in shoreline mitigation plans, and provides you with the tools and information to effectively review and evaluate shoreline impact mitigation proposals using native vegetation.

For more information and to register, please visit: http://www.coastaltraining-wa.org.



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. 306-1568 or flowol8@aol.com to register.



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!