Cover Story
Hidden Pollution: Microplastics on Whatcom County Beaches
by Hope Rasa There’s more plastic pollution in Whatcom County’s beaches than meets the eye. Beachgoers have probably noticed plastic litter in their favorite parks, but there’s more than that. The sand, ocean and almost everything else that meets the … Continue reading
Beaks and Bills
Beaks and Bills by Joe Meche After a tumultuous 2025, we carefully leap into 2026 with dreams of a better year ahead … in every way. January is the time of year for making and breaking resolutions, to which a … Continue reading
Being Frank
Recreational Areas Are Not an Unlimited Resource
Being Frank by Ed Johnstone Treaty tribes and our state co-managers have begun a new era of cooperation to better manage the impacts of outdoor activities that can be harmful to public lands and waters. We hope our recreational impacts … Continue reading
Watching Government
Action Taken at November 4, 2025 Meeting Shall the commission: 108. Transfer ,200 in funds from the 2025 capital budget to complete bike locker installations at the Bellingham airport? At the 6/3/2025 meeting, vote #62, the port received a ,248 … Continue reading
Watching Government
Compiled by Barry MacHale Action Taken at November 5, 2025 Meeting Shall the council: 260. Authorize the executive to sign a ,896,000 contract with Correctional Healthcare Partners of Spokane for the provision of healthcare services? The contractor will provide medical, … Continue reading
Watching Government
Action Taken at November 3, 2025 Meeting Shall the council: 215. Authorize the mayor to close the ,470 real estate transaction with the property owner, BNSF Railway Company? The property is being acquired for street improvements. The property is located … Continue reading
Bird Watching
Trumpeter Swans Are Back Winter is right around the corner, and we know because the trumpeter swans are back! Each year, North America’s largest waterfowl — the trumpeter swan (Cygnus buccinator) — returns to the Pacific Northwest after spending the … Continue reading
Climate
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. A Breakthrough to Solve Plastic Packaging A new … Continue reading
Community Service Spotlight
The Enduring Impact of the Max Higbee Center
Community Service Spotlight Co-Written by a Board Member and MHC Team When Max Higbee, a Western Washington University professor and disability advocate, looked at the lives of people with developmental disabilities in the early 1980s. He noticed a troubling pattern: … Continue reading
Conservation
Whatcom Land Trust: A Legacy of Restoration
A few minutes past the town of Maple Falls and just off of Highway 542 sits Maple Creek Reach. Named for the creek that meanders through the property, this 111-acre property is a testament to the power of restoration. Maple … Continue reading
Election Results
Compiled by Bill McCallum from information on the Washington Secretary of State and the state Public Disclosure Commission websites. Also, he compiled information from the Whatcom County Auditor’s website, with thanks to Rebecca Rouse in the Whatcom County Auditor’s office … Continue reading
Native Plant Neighbors
Native Plant Neighbors by Eric Worden If you think of your native plant neighbors as I do, you can imagine them as human characters. Can you think of a local forest plant that is extraordinarily tough, yet comely, elegant, and … Continue reading
Talk to Us
Citizens Up Against Insurmountable Odds
Talk to Us Growth Management is a farce. This system that excludes the public must be changed. While cities have taxpayer-funded attorneys to fight against them, citizens protecting their communities from harm do not. The Protect Mud Bay Cliffs SEPA … Continue reading
