Cover Story
Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day
by Grace McCarthy This article first appeared in the winter 2020 issue of The Planet magazine, a publication of Western Washington University’s Huxley College of the Environment. For Denis Hayes, there had been no environmental movement. It was the ‘60s … Continue reading
Cover Story
Inspiration Farm and Permaculture
by Nichole Schmitt Inspiration Farm has opened my eyes to the world of permaculture. You may have heard the terms “food forest” and “food jungle,” but a food forest is not just a scattering of seeds left to chance. It … Continue reading
Beaks and Bills
by Joe Meche Tornadoes, hurricanes, and floods get all the publicity and the inherent perils are well known by most people. Lesser known, but one of the most powerful natural forces on planet Earth, is the massive movement of birds … Continue reading
Being Frank
Time to Outlaw Suction Dredge Mining
by Lorraine Loomis Treaty tribes are encouraged that the Washington State Legislature may finally put an end to the destructive practice of suction dredge mining, for the protection of threatened salmon and their habitat as well as southern resident orcas … Continue reading
Watching Government
Compiled by Barry MacHale Action Taken at February 11, 2020 Meeting Shall the council: 21. Authorize the executive to sign a ,000 contract with Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center of Bellingham? The contract will fund the coordination of supervised child visitation … Continue reading
Watching Government
Compiled by Bill McCallum Action Taken at February 4, 2020 Meeting Shall the commission: 11. Authorize the executive director to sign the 2020-2023 collective bargaining agreement with the Inlandboatmen’s Union? The 2015-2019 collective bargaining agreement was approved at the 4/18/2015 … Continue reading
Watching Government
Action Taken at February 10, 2020 Meeting Shall the council: 15. Authorize the mayor to sign a 5,000 settlement agreement with Joshua Travis? The following terms must be met by the plaintiff: dismissal of a lawsuit and resolution of all … Continue reading
Education
Whatcom Community College Serves Whatcom County and Beyond
by Ron Kleinknecht Whatcom Community College continues to fulfill its educational mission as it has for the past 53 years through its thousands of alumni who increasingly contribute to the welfare, vitality and economy of Whatcom County and Washington state. … Continue reading
Northwest Gardening
by Peter Heffelfinger As predicted by climate change models for the Northwest, our recent winter season arrived later in the autumn, and was highlighted by heavier, more sustained rainfall. We had relatively mild temperatures overall and only one serious snowfall, … Continue reading
poetrywatch
Boris Schleinkofer, poetrywatch editor “When power leads man toward arrogance, poetry reminds him of his limitations. When power narrows the area of man’s concern, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of existence. When power corrupts, poetry cleanses.” — … Continue reading
Salmon
Housing Policy is … Salmon Policy?
by David Goldberg How state laws permitting more homes could ease two crises at once. Across the Pacific Northwest, urban sprawl is decimating salmon habitat. Fish scientists who study the effects of urbanization on salmon, steelhead and orcas are unanimous: … Continue reading
Twenty Years Ago
Forests: Outrun by Climate Change
by Patrick Mazza Since January 2014, Whatcom Watch has been rerunning articles from issues printed 20 years ago. The below article appeared in the April 2000 issue of Whatcom Watch. Below is part five of a six-part series on climate … Continue reading
Water
Challenges to a Water Supply in a Changing Climate
by Judy Hopkinson and Ellyn Murphy The Community Research Project was conducted on behalf of the Whatcom County Climate Impact Advisory Committee. The purpose of this project was to reach out to community leaders and stakeholders on how the … Continue reading
Civil Rights Scholar and Activist Mike Honey to Visit Bellingham
This presentation has been postponed. Village Books, Fairhaven Book Presentation and Signing, WWU presentation (to be announced) Award-winning civil rights scholar and activist Mike Honey will visit Bellingham. He will deliver a talk and showing of part of his recently … Continue reading
