Cover Story
Whatcom Forests Provide Resilience Amidst Changing Climate
by Ellyn Murphy and Chris Elder At a recent meeting of the Whatcom County Climate Impact Advisory Committee (CIAC), County Executive Satpal Sidhu stated that he would like to see our community plant a million additional trees over the next … Continue reading
Cover Story
Local Community Energy Challenge
by Mark Schofield If you’re aware of our current climate crisis, chances are you’ve contemplated ways to reduce your personal contribution to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. For some it might mean purchasing a highly efficient electric vehicle, or using different … Continue reading
Beaks and Bills
Corvids … Something to Crow About
by Joe Meche After another interesting winter, complete with every form of precipitation and bitter northeast winds, spring is upon us. The months of March and April are usually part of the more exciting transition periods for birds and especially … Continue reading
Dear Watchers
Whatcom Conservation District Election Cancelled
The Whatcom Conservation District is governed by a board of five supervisors, who are all local residents. Formed in 1946, the district serves all of Whatcom County and is committed to fostering a healthy, sustainable relationship between people and the … Continue reading
Being Frank
Groundfish Management Shows Way to Recovery
by Lorraine Loomis Twenty years ago, West Coast groundfish stocks such as sole and rockfish were in serious trouble. Decades of overfishing had brought their populations to the cliff edge of collapse. In 2000 federal managers declared a fishery disaster … Continue reading
Watching Government
Compiled by Bill McCallum Action Taken at the January 7, 2020 Meeting Shall the commission: 1. Approve liability insurance standards for port agreements for fiscal year 2020? It includes items like lease agreements, rental agreements, boat rental agreements, ground transportation, … Continue reading
Watching Government
Compiled by Barry MacHale Action Taken at January 14, 2020 Meeting Shall the council: 1. Authorize the executive to sign a five-year contract with the state of Washington? The contract with the Secretary of State will address cost sharing for … Continue reading
Watching Government
Action Taken at January 13, 2020 Meeting Shall the council: 1. Allocate ,000 in undesignated funds for two public festivals? Council Member Pinky Vargas serves as the chair on the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, which is funding two events this … Continue reading
Climate
Bellingham Hires Climate and Energy Manager
The City of Bellingham has hired Seth Vidaña as its first-ever Climate and Energy Manager. He began in that position on Feb. 18, 2020. Vidaña has worked to create a more sustainable community and reduce energy consumption at Western Washington … Continue reading
Transportation
How Businesses and Citizens Can Help WTA Grow Ridership
by Preston L. Schiller Part 4 This is the fourth and final part of a series about how to improve Whatcom Transportation Authority’s (WTA) transit ridership in Bellingham and Whatcom County. Since at least 80 percent of its ridership, and … Continue reading
18th Annual Wings Over Water Northwest Birding Festival March 20-22
March is the month to plan a trip to Blaine to take in the 18th Annual Wings Over Water festival. This festival has grown considerably in almost two decades, and many people see this year’s offering as the best way … Continue reading
Film Festival Celebrating 50th Anniversary of Earth Day
What: Wild & Scenic Film Festival Where: Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N. Commercial Street When: April 22, 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. The Wild & Scenic Film Festival comes to Bellingham! Join the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (NSEA) and Huxley College … Continue reading
