Marine News & Events
Marine Events Archive (2003 - 2006)
Current
Marine News Articles (2008,
2009)
Marine News Archive
(2002-2005, 2006)
January February March April May June July August September October November December
January 7, 2010
6-8pm
Civic Center Building, Second Floor Conference Room
NSEA
Volunteer Work Party
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 18, 2010
10-noon
Padden Creek
Join the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (NSEA) and the City of Bellingham Parks Volunteer Program to plant native riparian vegetation along Paddenm Creek. Bring your friends and your enthusiasm, wear sturdy shoes and weather-appropriate clothing, and NSEA will provide the rest. Join your neighbors in protecting one of the city's treasures.
February
February 4, 2010
6-8pm
Civic Center, 322 N. Commercial St., Second Floor Conference Room"State of the Marine Resources" Worksession
February 17, 2010
9am - 4 pm
The Whatcom MRC will gather to discuss the status and threats to local marine resources and how these can be addressed in a strategic plan. Regional experts will present on topics related to shellfish beds, eelgrass, forage fish, saltmarshes, and water quality. Please contact Whatcom County Natural Resources at (360) 676-6876 or email for more information and to RSVP.
NSEA Community Celebration
February 25, 2010
6-9pm
Majestic, 1027 N. Forest St., Bellingham
Join NSEA at the Majestic in Bellingham on Thursday February 25th from 6pm - 9pm for food, fun, and fish-highlights as we celebrate 20 years of working cooperatively to restore sustainable wild salmon runs to Whatcom County. This free event is a great opportunity to see what NSEA has done in the past year, hear what we will be working on this coming year, and make a difference for the wild salmon in our local watersheds by becoming a NSEA Member.
March 4, 2010
6-8 pm
Civic Center, 322 N. Commercial St., Second Floor Conference Room
NSEA
Volunteer Work Party
March 6, 2010
9am - 12pm
Whatcom Creek
Help NSEA kick off their spring work party season with the City ofNSEA Volunteer Work Party
March 13, 2010
9am - 12pm
Bells Creek
Team up with NSEA and the Whatcom Land Trust out in Deming as we work to
remove non-native, invasive plant species like Himalayan blackberry and Japanese
knotweed (knotweed stomping is super fun!) and old barbed-wire fencing along
Bell Creek and the North Fork Nooksack River. To get to this new site head east
on the Mt. Baker Highway (SR 542) for about 13 miles – passing over the Nooksack
River, through Deming, passing the Nooksack Casino, and passing through
Welcome. Turn right onto Bells Creek Rd., just about 3.5 miles passed the
casino. Parking will be available. Look for signs and check in at the blue
NSEA tent.
Whatcom Conservation District's 17th Annual Native Plant Sale and 3nd Annual Expo
Saturday, March 20, 2010
9 am - 4 pm
Whatcom Community College
Over 40 species of native trees and shrubs will be available for purchase at the popular WCD's Native Plant Sale. Proceeds benefit the WCD's conservation education programs. Come to purchase low cost native plants and get your questions answered about native plants, planting techniques, composting, local agriculture, restoration opportunities and more. Pre-order or day-of purchases.
NSEA
Volunteer Work Party
March 20, 2010
9am - 12pm
Squalicum Creek
Join NSEA and Bellingham Cold Storage employees, friends, and family as we work to remove trash and non-native, invasive plant species and spread mulch throughout this established restoration site. This site is located on the corner of Squalicum Way and Meridian St. right across from Cornwall Park. Parking is available in the lot at Cornwall Park. Look for signs, cross these busy streets carefully, and check in at the blue NSEA tent.
NSEA
Volunteer Work Party
March 27, 2010
9am - 12pm
Connelly CreekJoin NSEA and the City of Bellingham Parks Volunteer Program at Happy Valley
April 1, 2010
6-8 pm
Civic Center, 322 N. Commercial St., Second Floor Conference Room
NSEA
Volunteer Work Party
April 17, 2010
9am - 12pm
Whatcom Creek
Join NSEA and the City of Bellingham Parks Volunteer Program as we work to
improve natural habitat for salmon and other wildlife at
NSEA
Volunteer Work Party
April 24, 2010
9am - 12pm
Terrell Creek
Help NSEA and the Chums of Terrell Creek restore habitat for coho and chum
salmon by planting native trees and shrubs along Terrell Creek. From I-5, take
the Grandview Rd. exit (exit 266) and head west. Follow for about 7 miles and
turn right at the stop sign at
May 6, 2010
6-8 pm
Civic Center, 322 N. Commercial St., Second Floor Conference Room
June 3, 2010
6-8 pm
Civic Center, 322 N. Commercial St., Second Floor Conference Room
July 1, 2010
6-8 pm
Civic Center, 322 N. Commercial St., Second Floor Conference Room
Pt. Roberts Clam Survey
July 9, 2010
Lighthouse Marine Park
Join the MRC in monitoring clam populations at Maple Beach and Lighthouse Park in Pt. Roberts. No experience is necessary, just a curiousity and willingness to get wet and muddy digging for clams. Training, tools, and snacks are provided for all volunteers. For more information or to register, email or click here.
Beach Naturalists Day
July 10, 2010
9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Join the roaming Beach Naturalists at either Birch Bay State Park, Semiahmoo County Park, or Larrabee State Park to explore the intertidal zone at low tide and learn about cool critters.
Beach Naturalists Day
July 11, 2010
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Join the roaming Beach Naturalists at either Birch Bay State Park, Semiahmoo County Park, or Larrabee State Park to explore the intertidal zone at low tide and learn about cool critters.
Beach Naturalists Day
July 12, 2010
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Join the roaming Beach Naturalists at either Birch Bay State Park, Semiahmoo County Park, or Larrabee State Park to explore the intertidal zone at low tide and learn about cool critters.k
Beach Naturalists Day
July 13, 2010
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Join the roaming Beach Naturalists at either Birch Bay State Park, Semiahmoo County Park, or Larrabee State Park to explore the intertidal zone at low tide and learn about cool critters.
Lily Point Clam Survey
July 23, 2010
Join the MRC in monitoring clam populations at the newly acquired Lily Pt. in Pt. Roberts. No experience is necessary, just a curiousity and willingness to get wet and muddy digging for clams. Training, tools, and snacks are provided for all volunteers. For more information or to register, email or click here.
Beach Naturalists Day
July 24, 2010
9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Join the roaming Beach Naturalists at either Birch Bay State Park, Semiahmoo County Park, or Larrabee State Park to explore the intertidal zone at low tide and learn about cool critters.
Beach Naturalists Day
July 25, 2010
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Join the roaming Beach Naturalists at either Birch Bay State Park, Semiahmoo County Park, or Larrabee State Park to explore the intertidal zone at low tide and learn about cool critters.
Birch Bay Beach Days
July 24, 2010
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Birch Bay State Park
Bring your family and friends and explore clams, crabs, and other cool
critters. Learn about proper clamming techniques. Peer into
plankton soup. Investigate the Terrell Creek Estuary.
Activities will be on-going, so stop by at any time.
Sponsored by the Whatcom County MRC.
Shoreline Ecology of Birch Bay and the Puget Sound
Public Speaker Event
August 4, 2010
7:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Birch Bay State Park Wildlife Theater
Join Jim Brennan, Marine Habitat Specialist with the Washington Sea Grant, for a special presentation on shoreline ecology, including shoreline and beach processes, connections between land and sea, and how our actions affects the shoreline. This event is free and open to the public. For questions, please contact Ingrid Enschede at Whatcom County Public Works (360) 715-7450.
Whatcom County MRC meeting
August 5, 2010
6-8 pm
Civic
Center, 322 N. Commercial St., Second Floor Conference Room
Lummi Island Clam Survey
August 7, 2010
Join the MRC in monitoring clam populations at the newly acquired Lily Pt. in Pt. Roberts. No experience is necessary, just a curiousity and willingness to get wet and muddy digging for clams. Training, tools, and snacks are provided for all volunteers. For more information or to register, email or click here.
Birch Bay Beach Days
August 8, 2010
11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Birch Bay State Park
Bring your family and friends and explore clams, crabs, and other cool critters. Learn about proper clamming techniques. Peer into plankton soup. Investigate the Terrell Creek Estuary. Activities will be on-going, so stop by at any time. Sponsored by the Whatcom County MRC.
September 2, 2010
6-8 pm
Civic Center, 322 N. Commercial St., Second Floor Conference Room
Beneath the Salish Sea: An Underwater Odyssey through Puget Sound
Wednesday, September 22, 20106:00 pm
Pickford Cinema, 1416 Cornwall Ave., Bellingham
Join marine biologist and cinematographer Florian Graner on an underwater odyssey through Puget Sound and discover the wonders living around Whidbey Island, Hood Canal, and in the greater Salish Sea. Using noiseless and bubble-free re-breather technology for filming, this presenation is packed with information about life in the oceans. Combined with the latest stealth diving equipment and state of the art high-definition cameras, this view of the underwater world is as close as you can get to experiencing the life of a fish! This presentation is co-sponsored by the Northwest Straits Commission and the Whatcom MRC. View press release here.
"Top 10 Principles for Designing Healthy Coastal Ecosystems Like the Salish Sea"
Public Speaker Series Event
Thursday, September 30, 2010
5:30 pm
Port of Bellingham Commission Chambers, 1801 Roeder Ave., Bellingham
Join Chief Scientist of the SeaDoc Society, Joe Gaydos, as he explores what principles are needed for healthy coastal ecosystems like the Salish Sea. Dr. Gaydos will relate local restoration efforts to these ten principles. This event is free and open to the public, and is sponsored by the Whatcom MRC and hosted by the Port of Bellingham. View press release here.
October 7, 2010
6-8 pm
Civic Center, 322 N. Commercial St., Second Floor Conference Room
November
November 4, 2010
6-8 pm
Civic Center, 322 N. Commercial St., Second Floor Conference Room
Salmon Summit
November 3, 2010
8:00 am - 4:45 pm
St. Luke's Community Health Education Center
Terrell Creek Work Party
November 20, 2010
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Join the MRC and NSEA to plant streamside vegetation along Terrell Creek within the Birch Bay State Park. New plants will help provide shade and nutrients for salmon and other fish, and will help filter bacteria and toxins from runoff before it enters the stream. Tools and gloves will be provided. No prior experience is necessary.
December 2, 2010
6-8 pm
Civic Center, 322 N. Commercial St., Second Floor Conference Room
2009 News Articles
1/1/09
Who raised the taxes in Whatcom County and why?
The Northern Light
"Recently county council member Brenner wrote in this paper criticizing the council majority for raising the flood tax by $0.04/ $1,000 of property value. Without naming names, she hinted that this was all done just to take care of “an individual council member's wish list.” I was that mystery councilmember and here is a little more information about my “wish list.”
1/4/09
Nature Conservancy buys Lily Point land for reserve
Bellingham Herald
"The Nature Conservancy has bought 146 acres, including tidelands, at Lily Point and will turn over the land to Whatcom County as part of the new Lily Point Marine Reserve."
1/5/09
Group uses lawsuits to help clean up Puget Sound
Bellingham Herald
"Tucked away in a vine-draped building along the gritty Ballard waterfront is the office of an environmental group where a war on pollution churns away daily, taking on outfits that state and federal regulators can't or won't face down. In a burst of litigation over the past 2 1/2 years, the Puget Soundkeeper Alliance has done battle with about 60 food processors, factories, recyclers, timber yards, local governments and others. Most are violating requirements to control runoff from Western Washington's relentless rains that carry heavy metals and other gunk into Puget Sound and its tributaries."
1/7/09
Now is the time to be bold about Puget Sound
Bellingham Herald
"The
Puget Sound
Partnership recently released its Action Agenda to restore Puget Sound,
a pathway for fixing the problems that are
causing Puget Sound's slow death. Words, plans and agendas
are
important, but they don't matter without money and action."
1/9/09
Lily Point project could be lasting county legacy
Bellingham Herald
"The Nature Conservancy has done the people of Whatcom County, and the local environment, a great service with its recent purchase of 146 acres of land on Point Roberts."
2/2/09
Bellingham Herald
"Is America truly ready to be the leader in the global energy, environmental and conservation revolution that must take place? So far, we've been only a plodding, moderately interested follower, despite having more financial, intellectual, educational and technological resources to tackle the problem than any other nation in the world. Here's why a "green" revolution is needed."
2/11/09
Study: Climate change to have many impacts on Washington
Bellingham Herald
"During the next 50 years, climate change will have a dramatic impact on Washington state - snowpack is expected to decrease, water shortages are coming, wildfires could double in size, and more people may die - according to a new report from scientists across the region. The report from the Climate Impacts Group at the University of Washington paints a bleak picture of the impact of climate change on human health, agriculture, energy supply and demand, streamflow and water storage."
2/14/09
Good news on the ocean front for a change
Bellingham Herald
"Some Pacific island countries are successfully protecting their reefs, haddock and scallops are recovering in New England waters and a few types of whales are even making a comeback. "The news today is that there is good news" for the oceans, Nancy Knowlton of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History told a meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science on Friday. That doesn't mean that people no longer need to be concerned about the future of the oceans and sea life, but she said it is time to move beyond the obituaries and recognize there is also progress."
2/24/09Taylor Shellfish sues state over geoduck harvest
Bellingham Herald
2/26/09
West coast salmon numbers up, but not enough
Bellingham Herald
"The Pacific Fishery Management Council said Wednesday that there are barely enough chinook returning to California's Sacramento River to spawn a new generation. That will likely mean no sport or commercial salmon fishing off California and little off Oregon, for fear of unintentionally killing too many Sacramento fish swimming with more prevalent stocks, said Chuck Tracy, head of the salmon section for the Portland-based council. Even so, returns are forecast to be some of the best ever for coho and chinook returning to Oregon and Washington rivers, particularly the Columbia, which will mean a general improvement in fishing north of Cape Falcon on the northern Oregon Coast and into Washington."
3/23/09
Guarding against another Exxon ValdezBellingham Herald
"Since the Exxon Valdez disaster, a number of steps have been taken to help avoid a similar disaster."
4/9/09
Study identifies pollutants in harbor
The Northern Light
"Drayton Harbor is widely contaminated with human, bovine and avian fecal coliform, according
to a pilot study recently completed by the Puget Sound Restoration Fund. The study examined fecal coliform levels in six Drayton Harbor locations as well as eight locations in California Creek tributaries and found “widespread occurrences” of human and ruminant waste."
4/16/09
Six in Bellingham honored as environmental heroes
Bellingham Herald
"They've worked to protect salmon and get more people on bicycles. They've helped conserve thousands of acres in Whatcom County for wildlife habitat, defended environmental laws and worked behind the scenes to educate people about eco-living. For their efforts, six Bellingham residents will be honored as environmental heroes by Bellingham-based RE Sources for Sustainable Communities during an award ceremony April 25."
4/21/09
Poisoned Waters' reveals dangers just below the surface
Bellingham Herald
"We can put a slow-motion crisis on the back burner for eight weeks, eight months, maybe eight years. But you can't put it on the back burner for 25 years without it coming back to haunt you. If we don't start to care about the bodies of water we know and love, we're not going to have them."
