Cover Story
by Margaret Wild Semiahmoo is a “go to” place. It’s a milelong sandspit in the northwest corner of Washington state in the northwest corner of the country otherwise known as the “fourth corner” of the United States. The name Semiahmoo … Continue reading
Cover Story
by David MacLeod The future can’t be predicted, but it can be envisioned and lovingly brought into being. – Donella Meadows, “Thinking in Systems, A Primer” If we can’t save the places where we live, how are we ever going … Continue reading
Beaks and Bills
Beaks and Bills by Joe Meche It’s always with great anticipation that we on the wetter, west side await news of the opening of Washington State Highway 20, the North Cascades Highway … the gateway to the sunny side of … Continue reading
Watching Government
Compiled by Barry MacHale Action Taken at April 15, 2025 Meeting Shall the council: 86. Fill a vacancy on the Forest Advisory Committee? The purpose of the committee is to provide review and recommendations to the council on issues that … Continue reading
Watching Government
Action Taken at April 1, 2025 Meeting Shall the commission: 33. Authorize the executive director to apply for a state grant to reimburse the port for all costs associated with the removal and disposal of an abandoned vessel? On 2/1/2022, … Continue reading
Watching Government
Action Taken at April 14, 2025 Meeting Mayor’s Report Mayor Lund announced that the city would receive a .7 million grant to construct a community solar array. The grant is the results of a Whatcom County fine by the Northwest … 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. Out of Scifi Into Real World In March … Continue reading
Housing
Tiny Homes Save Money … and Lives
by Duane Jager According to a review of literature from across the country, costs of homelessness run between ,000 and ,000 per person per year. (1) Examples include emergency room visits, police and fire department responses, public health expenses, … Continue reading
Lands preservation
100-Acre Agate Pond Preserve Conserved Forever
by Claire Johnston This article was first published by the Whatcom Land Trust: https://whatcomlandtrust.org/stories_from_the_lan/agatepond/. On a surprisingly bright March morning, Patricia Otto sat on her front porch, laced up her boots, and adjusted her bright red Washington Forest Stewardship baseball … Continue reading
Talk to Us
Writer Has Beef With “Being Frank” Writer
Talk to Us Editor’s Note: The “Being Frank” column is currently written by Ed Johnstone, not Ed Johnson. Billy Frank Jr. is the correct spelling (see last paragraph). Dear Editor, I’ve read several pieces in Whatcom Watch — “Being Frank” … Continue reading
Talk to Us
Stop the Vilification of Forest Fires
Talk to Us As we enter the warmer drier months, our minds turn to thinking about fire dangers and what this season will bring. Let’s change our attitudes about what fires are and are not. Fires burn trees and homes. … Continue reading
Twenty Years Ago
Drought Encourages No-Mow Native Gardens
Twenty Years Ago Since January 2014, Whatcom Watch has been reprinting articles from issues printed 20 years ago. The below article appeared in the June 2005 issue of Whatcom Watch. Editor’s Note: When this article was written twenty years ago … Continue reading
