Cover Story
Grant Protects California Creek Estuary and Drayton Harbor
by Lorraine Wilde A new 5,000 grant funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program will enable further protection and recovery of water quality and habitat through the purchase of coastal wetland properties along California Creek, … Continue reading
Cover Story
The Story Behind My 200 Columns in Whatcom Watch
by Joe Meche Since I was informed this would be my 200th Beaks and Bills column, it seemed appropriate to trace the primary subject matter of the 199 columns that came before this one. And while we’re at it, maybe … Continue reading
Beaks and Bills
Some Favorite Photos by Joe Meche
by Joe Meche I’ve been photographing birds for more than 40 years and while the inner purist was reluctant to switch from film to digital, I now embrace the new technology. The cost factor and ease of handling and editing … Continue reading
Being Frank
Covid Impacts Tribal Natural Resources Management Traditions
by Lorraine Loomis Like communities across Washington, treaty Indian tribes are coping with what we all hope are the worst days of the Covid-19 pandemic that has disrupted every part of our daily lives, economies and traditions. High rates of … Continue reading
Watching Government
Compiled by Barry MacHale Action Taken at June 2, 2020 Meeting Shall the council: 87. Authorize the executive to sign a cost-sharing agreement (addendum #1) with the city of Bellingham? The agreement will formalize cost and revenue sharing related to … Continue reading
Watching Government
Compiled by Bill McCallum Action Taken at June 2, 2020 Meeting Shall the commission: 42. Authorize the executive director to sign a land use agreement with the state of Washington for approximately 2.75 acres at the Slater Road wetlands mitigation … Continue reading
Watching Government
Action Taken at June 8, 2020 Meeting Announcements: Chief Bill James of the Lummi Nation died recently. The City Council condemned the recent deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Aubery because of racial discrimination and is dedicated to … Continue reading
Community Service Providers
Safe and Stable Housing Should Be a Fundamental Right
by Sarah Deeder Editor’s Note: There are over 100 organizations in Whatcom County working to provide supportive services to those experiencing chronic poverty and its associated effects: addiction, homelessness, incarceration, mental illness, and unemployment. Whatcom Watch believes these organizations often … Continue reading
Journalism
Seattle Judge Rules Against the Press
by Jennifer Karchmer Seattle Times and TV Stations Must Hand Over Footage to Police Despite Washington state’s reporter shield law that protects journalists from having to relinquish notes, documents or sources in most cases, freedom of the press was dealt … Continue reading
Life Before Flowers
by Fred Rhoades Perhaps there is no other group of plants that typifies the Pacific Northwest west-of-the-Cascades forests more than the bryophytes. It is these simple plants that give our temperate rain forests their distinctive, green, sodden look. These spore-producing … 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
Wildlife
by Jacob Pederson Secretary of the Interior David L. Bernhardt announced a decision to halt grizzly bear restoration plans for the North Cascades of Washington state based on the concerns of rural citizens in the state as environmental organizations call this decision … Continue reading
