January 2025 (volume 34, issue 1)

Whatcom Land Trust and Community Partners Protect Land

by Lorraine Wilde While celebrating its 40th Anniversary conserving land in Whatcom County, Whatcom Land Trust (the Trust) partnered this past October with Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) and Whatcom Million Trees Project to protect 51 additional acres at Kelsey Nature … Continue reading

The Diving Birds of Winter

Beaks and Bills by Joe Meche There’s no doubt that we in the Pacific Northwest … the Fourth Corner … are blessed with a year-round variety of birds, ranging in size from the large trumpeter swans to the diminutive rufous … Continue reading

Fish Passage Restoration Is Worth the Price

Being Frank by Ed Johnstone Fish passage restoration is not just a treaty rights issue — it benefits the entire region. No matter the expense, culvert repair is one of the most cost-effective ways to increase the number of naturally … Continue reading

Port of Bellingham Commission

Action Taken at November 5, 2024 Meeting Shall the commission: 91. Authorize the executive director to sign an agreement with the City of Seattle to establish a cooperative purchasing agreement? Competitively awarded contracts will be used for various supplies, material, … Continue reading

Bellingham City Council

Action Taken at November 4, 2024 Meeting Mayor’s Report Public comments at the end of council meetings have been suspended while measures to improve council chambers security are evaluated. The city is striving to balance keeping City Hall open and … Continue reading

Whatcom County Council

Compiled by Barry MacHale Action Taken at November 6, 2024 Meeting Shall the council: 303. Authorize the executive to sign a 0,000 contract with the Ferndale School District for the purchase and installation of an Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant playground? … Continue reading

A Comprehensive and Detailed History of Lake Whatcom

Book Review Reviewed by April Markiewicz H. Leon Greene has succeeded in providing a very comprehensive and detailed history of the activities that took place in and around Lake Whatcom over the last 170-plus years. The book, “Lake Whatcom: A … Continue reading

Articles You Might Have Missed

Climate Good News Around the world people are taking the initiative to mitigate climate change. Here are some good news briefs compiled by the Climate Issue group of the LWV of Bellingham/Whatcom. With Repeal Measure Rejected, WA Carbon Credit Auction … Continue reading

Empowering Women Through Outdoor Recreation

Community Service Spotlight by Mackenzie Lynch Formed in Bellingham, Wash., Shifting Gears is transforming the landscape of outdoor recreation for women and femme-identifying individuals. With a mission centered on fostering community, confidence, and empowerment, Shifting Gears addresses the significant gender … Continue reading

Will Ranked Choice Voting Come to Whatcom County?

Editor’s Note: Whatcom Watch has entered a cooperative agreement with Salish Current. When possible, we will share each other’s content. Salish Current, an online-only news organization, covers the North Sound area and Whatcom Watch mainly covers Whatcom County issues. Visit … Continue reading

Ranked Choice Voting Debuts in Portland

Vast Majority Ranked Their Ballots And Elected A Candidate Of Choice Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared on the FairVote website. It is being reprinted with permission. FairVote (fairvote.org) is a nonpartisan organization working for better elections for all. They … Continue reading

General Election Results–2024

Compiled by Bill McCallum – from information on the Washington Secretary of State, the state Public Disclosure Commission and the Federal Election Commission websites. Also, he compiled information from the Whatcom County Auditor’s website, with thanks to Amy Grasher and … Continue reading

Nooksack Salmon

Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association: Restoration Part of our work as restoration technicians is to prepare sites for community work parties. At the invitation of Lummi Natural Resources (LNR), we visited the Lummi Nation Wetland and Habitat Mitigation Bank (WHMB) last … Continue reading