Cover Story
Meet Laural Ballew-Ses yehomia/tsi kuts bat soot
by Emma Bjornsrud Tandy Wilbur Sr. and Laura Wilbur of the Swinomish Tribal Community worked in regional and national tribal government, traveling together to build relationships within and beyond their communities. Two generations later, Laural (Wilbur) Ballew is continuing her … Continue reading
Cover Story
Some Single-Use Plastics Granted Extension
by Luisa Loi Businesses in Bellingham will have more time to find compostable alternatives to products such as produce bags, catering trays and clear food wrap. Originally, the ordinance banning single-use plastics from eateries, in effect since July 31, granted … Continue reading
Beaks and Bills
by Joe Meche Cindy and I have lived here for a combined total of 98 years and we can’t think of anyplace we’d rather be. However, this winter has encouraged us to consider our options. Maybe it’s a part of … Continue reading
Being Frank
Dead Zones Are a Symptom of a Warming Planet
by Ed Johnstone As first stewards on the front lines of climate change, treaty tribes have been sounding the alarm for more than a decade about low oxygen levels in the ocean and the Salish Sea. My mentor, former NWIFC … Continue reading
Watching Government
Compiled by Barry MacHale Action Taken at January 10, 2023 Meeting Shall the council: 1. Authorize the executive to sign a 0,000 two-year contract with the Bellingham-Whatcom County Commission on Sexual & Domestic Violence? The contract is for domestic violence … Continue reading
Watching Government
Action Taken at January 9, 2023 Meeting Shall the council: 1. Authorize the mayor to sign a 5,000 settlement agreement with Bornstein Seafoods for resolution of remediation costs at the I&J Waterway cleanup site? In 1995, contamination was identified at … Continue reading
Watching Government
Compiled by Bill McCallum Action Taken at January 10, 2023 Meeting Shall the commission: 1. Authorize the executive director to sign documents with Lexington Insurance Company for December 2021 storm damage? Prolonged cold caused pipes to burst at the airport … Continue reading
Watching Government
Whatcom Watch has been covering the meetings of local elected officials for 24 years. We began reporting Bellingham City Council and Whatcom County Council votes in 1999 and the Port of Bellingham Commissioner votes in 2000. We’re committed to continuing to … Continue reading
Agriculture
Water Rights, Adjudication, and Whatcom County Agriculture
by Craig MacConnell Our maritime region accumulates the most biomass (accumulated living and dead lifeforms) per square foot as any place on Earth. This is due to several factors centered around temperature, precipitation and daylength coupled with productive soils and … Continue reading
Beyond Fossil Fuels
Does This Plastic Make Me Look Fat?
How Plastic Is Changing our Bodies in Ways We May Not Realize by Vicki Thomas While plastic is widely recognized as a litter problem, fewer people know that it’s also a major health problem. How so? Plastic is essentially a … Continue reading
Climate
Articles You Might Have Missed
Around the world, people are taking the initiative to mitigate climate change. Here is a monthly roundup compiled by the Climate Issues Team at the League of Wom- en Voters of Bellingham/Whatcom. Short-Term Energy Outlook Renewable energy is poised to … Continue reading
Community Service Spotlight
Sustainable Connections’ Programs
by Annika Sampson Dear Sasquatch, I recently moved to Bellingham and I already love the sense of belonging I feel here. People seem really invested in the community. There are so many small businesses and restaurants. Also … people compost!? … Continue reading
Conservation
Legacy of Conservation at Nautilus Tree Farm
by Lorraine Wilde Whatcom Land Trust (the Trust) has been preserving and protecting wildlife habitat, scenic, agricultural and open space lands by securing interest in land and promoting land stewardship in Whatcom County for more than 20 years. Some of … Continue reading
Kushan Carbon Trust
Kulshan Carbon Trust’s Biochar Pilot
Part 2 by Ava Stone Introduction to the Project Over the past year, the Kulshan Carbon Trust (KCT) has implemented a collaborative biochar pilot project involving 14 stakeholders in Whatcom, Skagit, and Island counties, Washington. We aimed to promote biochar … Continue reading
Twenty Years Ago
What Lies Beneath Whatcom County Attracts Attention of Federal Government
Since January 2014, Whatcom Watch has been reprinting articles from issues printed 20 years ago. The below article appeared in the March 2003 issue of Whatcom Watch. by Alison Bickerstaff On the sunny afternoon of Feb. 5, 2003, Environmental Protection … Continue reading
Twenty Years Ago
A Former Coal Miner Looks Back
by Alison Bickerstaff Since January 2014, Whatcom Watch has been reprinting articles from issues printed 20 years ago. The below article appeared in the March 2003 issue of Whatcom Watch. Not many people can say they live this close to … Continue reading
