Workshops & Events

Check out The RE Store's community skill building workshops here.You can also make it easy by signing up for "Salvage Times" e-newsletter here.

Join our Northsound Baykeeper's regular News, Events, and Opportunities list by emailing the Baykeeper with "Subscribe to NEOP" in the subject line.

Water Feature Design and Installation
with Alpine Ponds and Water Gardens
Saturday, June 27th: noon-5
In Bellingham
Cost: $10

This session will include aspects of design, siting, maintenance considerations, and other important aspects of planning for a water feature. Rain water harvesting and storage in a functioning water feature will also be discussed. Participants will observe an installation of a pondless waterfall and stream feature for the students at Little Darling School. This well-loved preschool is located at 912 W.Illinois Street, immediately north of the Haggen grocery store on Meridian Street, 6 blocks north of The RE Store in Bellingham.

Contact Jason to register.

RE Sources' North Sound Baykeeper and the Northwest Straits Chapter of Surfrider Sponsor 
5th-of-July Beach Cleanup

Join the North Sound Baykeeper and the Northwest Straits Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation for the annual, post-Independence Day beach clean up. We will clean the beaches of Cherry Point, Locust Beach, and Marine Park at 9am on July 5th.  Beaches at Squalicum and Zuanich Park may also be picked up if there are large numbers of volunteers. 
 
Bring sunscreen and a hat and join us to cleanup the traces of the Fourth-of-July.  We will supply water, disposable gloves, and trash bags.

Before the cleanups, the North Sound Baykeeper and Surfrider programs will share some information about protecting water quality.
 
* Marine Park: meet at the park located at 200 Harris Ave in Fairhaven, Bellingham at 9am. At this location, Doug Stark, RE Sources Beach Naturalist Coordinator will start the cleanup with a short talk on water quality and the ecology of the area.
 
* Locust Beach: meet at the Bellingham Kite Boarding Community Center located on Locust Ave., near Marine Drive at 9am. Surfrider's Brian Smart will start the cleanup with a brief discussion of Surfriders priorities of water quality and beach access.
 
* Cherry Point: meet at Cherry Point's Gulf Road access located at 9 am or carpool from the SE corner Sunset Square parking lot near Cost-Cutter at 8:15 am. At this location, North Sound Baykeeper, Wendy Steffensen, will start the cleanup with an update on the status of the Cherry Point herring stocks and the process of designating the area an Aquatic Reserve. 
 

Green Drinks Bellingham. Bring a friend or two and meet your green community!

Green Drinks Bellingham. Bring a friend or two and meet your green community!

What: Green Drinks Bellingham
When: Wednesday, July 1st
Time: 5:00pm-7:00pm
Where: Boundary Bay Brewery Beer Garden

Admission: always free,

Green Drinks is an organic networking session that started in London, England and has since caught fire around the world. Like-minded individuals in places from Hong Kong to India, Sweden to South Africa meet every month to catch-up, network and talk about the latest green issues. According to greendrinks.org, “These events are very simple and unstructured, but many people have found employment, made friends, developed new ideas, done deals and had moments of serendipity.” The best part about Green Drinks is that there is no structure, just good people meeting at a regular place and time.

For more information about RE Sources for Sustainable Communities or any updates on the Green Drinks Bellingham, visit our website at www.re-sources.org or contact Megan Artz at (360) 733-8307 or MeganA@re-sources.org. Location updates will be posted on the Green Drinks website at www.greendrinks.org.

Here's what Green Drinks Bellingham guests have to say:

"Not only do I get a regular opportunity to hob-knob with my green friends over green beers, but I've made some great new connections that have become both friends and supporters of our nonprofit, Appliance Depot. I look forward to the first Wednesday of every month."
--Duane Jager, Executive Director of Appliance Depot

“At Green Drinks I:
1) Found a vendor to bid on a contract.
2) Shared some contact information with two colleagues who were seeking help with their upcoming fundraisers.
3) Connected one friend with another colleague who was looking to market her services.
4) Found a dog-sitter.”

--Steve W.

"I want to give props to RE Sources for the Green Drinks monthly social; what a great idea and networking tool. I went to the one last week and talked with a person from the Department of Ecology and scored an internship with Ecology for the summer. I am very excited to say the least."

--Bri S.
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Action Alerts

**Action Needed!**

City of Bellingham Redevelopment and Habitat Opportunities:

The City of Bellingham is undergoing an enormous amount of change. The City of Bellingham is updating its Shoreline Master Program and undergoing a planning process along the Waterfront in the "New Whatcom" area, and the Port of Bellingham is tasked with remediating the Whatcom Waterways. (see cleanups below)

With all of the changes that will effect the City of Bellingham waterfront comes opportunity for enhancements and protection of habitat and public access.

To find out about specific opportunities to help effect this change, watch for events and opportunities on the North Sound Baykeeper news and events list or sign up to get the list delivered to your email address. (write to waters@re-sources.org to sign up)

Related pages:

Comments on the City of Bellingham Shoreline Master Program Update

Habitat Opportunities in the New Whatcom Area

Marine Resources Committee Letter on Habitat Opportunities in the New Whatcom Area

Living Lightly

Simple Ways to Make “Earth Day” Every Day!

This month is “Earth Month” in honor of Earth Day - April 22.  This annual celebration of our natural world offers plenty of opportunities to begin simple lifestyle changes that help the environment.

Environmental degradation isn't all grounded tankers and global warming, though our national demand for fossil fuels supports those larger disasters, too.  Our individual actions impact the earth, and each of us needs to find ways to reduce the burden.

Citizens of the United States demand a greater portion of the world's natural resources than any other country.  In Whatcom County alone, most people discard between 3 and 4 pounds of garbage every day.   That's 1,200 pounds per person every year, half of which could be recycled or composted. 

The typical U.S. household creates between 11,000 and 16,000 pounds of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide every year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s climate change website, and that’s not including an average of 5.2 metric tons emitted by the average passenger vehicle each year.

What can you do?

Begin by cutting down on waste.  Make a habit of bringing a cloth bag to the grocery store.  Try other reusable products, as well, such as cloth handkerchiefs in place of tissues, or sponges instead of paper towels.  Buy in bulk.  In the office, don’t make hard copies of electronic materials if you don’t need them.  When you do print or make copies, use the “double-sided” function to save paper.  Use any scrap paper for notes.

Use your recycling and compost bins at home and at work.  By recycling and composting up to half our yearly waste, each of us could save enough energy to power a home for a month and the fiber equivalent of three and a half trees.  Learn more about composting from the Whatcom County Master Recyclers / Composters at www.whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/compost/mrcprogram.htm

Drive less.  Remember carpooling?  How about biking or walking to work or on short errands?  Now that the weather is warmer, it's time to give alternative transportation a try.  Everyone who takes the bus just one day a week can reduce her or his own auto pollution and gas usage by up to 20 percent.  Even maintaining your engine and the air pressure in your tires can help:  One auto can waste a half gallon of gas by driving to Seattle and back with tires that are poorly inflated.  Join the “Smart Trips” commuter program and earn rewards: www.whatcomsmarttrips.org

Conserve water.  Each of us can use up to 7 gallons of water per minute taking a hot shower.  Try a low-flow showerhead, instead, to cut that waste in half.  Fix leaky plumbing, too, and turn off the tap while brushing your teeth.

And don't forget the old stand-bys such as planting trees, turning off the lights, and turning down the heat.  Try new approaches, too.  Ask local merchants to carry recycled and chlorine-free paper products.  Do your part to protect the environment on your own, then join in with the community to celebrate Earth Day Every Day.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends the following sites for more “Earth Day” ideas:

Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
EPA's interactive climate change Web page has a personal carbon calculator and information on ways individuals can reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ind_calculator.html

Save Energy
EPA's Energy Star Web page is the great place for consumers to find energy efficient products that are good for the environment and their wallets. The site offers information on energy-efficient electronics, lighting and cooling systems. www.energystar.gov/homeimprovement

Use Water Efficiently
Visit EPA's WaterSense Web page to learn how efficient products and smart water choices can save money and help protect our nation's water supply.  www.epa.gov/watersense/

http://www.earthday.org has additional ideas.