Whatcom County MRC Projects - Community Events

Open Houses/Festivals

Open houses and festivals provide an opportunity for the public to view displays, brochures and fact sheets, talk with groups and individuals that are involved in marine restoration and protection efforts, and to build community appreciation for the marine environment. These events also provide an opportunity for local and regional groups to coordinate efforts and share experiences.

2003

Drayton Harbor Shellfish Protection District Open House
The Whatcom County MRC was one of several sponsors for the 3rd Annual Drayton Harbor Shellfish Protection District Open House in January 2003. The event was attended by over 100 community members interested in Drayton Harbor restoration efforts and the free shellfish! (Oysters and clams were donated by commercial harvesters from approved shellfish growing areas.)

2002

Drayton Harbor Shellfish Protection District Open House
The Whatcom County MRC was one of several sponsors for the 2nd Annual Drayton Harbor Shellfish Protection District Open House in January 2002. The event was attended by over 150 community members interested in Drayton Harbor restoration efforts and the free shellfish! (Oysters and mussels were donated by commercial harvesters from approved shellfish growing areas.)

2001

Whatcom County Marine Resources Committee Open House
The Whatcom County MRC hosted an open house in March 2001 that focused on information that was gathered through the volunteer-based Rapid Shoreline Inventory. In addition, the MRC used this opportunity to introduce the committee to the community, to describe some of the future activities, and to encourage public participation in the committee’s meetings and activities.

Summits

There are a number of groups working within Whatcom County to protect and restore the marine environment. Each of these groups brings a different perspective of the issues confronting Whatcom County. Collaboration and coordination with other groups strengthens the community's efforts to protect our valuable natural resources.

2003

Nooksack Recovery Team- Salmon Summit Nearshore Session
On November 13, 2003, the Nooksack Recovery Team will be hosting their annual Salmon Summit. The Whatcom MRC is coordinating the Nearshore Session for this event. The Nearshore Session will include 12 speakers discussing nearshore ecology in terms of howthings have been, current assessments, and future directs~ how things could be.

Whatcom County Marine Summit
On January 19, 2003, the Whatcom County Marine Resources Committee (MRC) hosted the second Marine Resources Summit. Over seventy participants attended the event, which was designed to establish common ground on two of the eight benchmarks established under the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative – a net reduction in shellfish bed closures and a net gain in high priority nearshore habitat.

During the Summit, presentations were made by regional and local experts to provide a common basis for discussion. After the presentations, Summit participants worked in small groups to identify ways to measure progress towards the benchmarks that are meaningful for the Whatcom County community, and then identified specific strategies for moving forward.

2002

Nooksack Recovery Team Salmon Summit- Nearshore Session

2001

Whatcom County Marine Summit
In May 2001, the Whatcom County MRC hosted a Whatcom County Marine Summit. The Summit included a keynote presentation by Andrea Copping, two panel discussions, and breakout sessions for community outreach, research and monitoring, and restoration projects. Panelists included representatives from Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association, RE Sources, Whatcom County, Cherry Point Technical Work Group, Drayton Harbor and Portage Bay Shellfish Protection Districts, Whatcom Land Trust, Bellingham Bay Pilot Project, Lummi Nation, City of Bellingham, WDFW, Nooksack Recovery Team, and Puget Sound/ Georgia Basin International Task Force. The Summit was a very successful event with over 50 participants including both local and cross-border groups.

Public Speaker Events

2003

2002

Bottomfish of Whatcom County- Greg Bargmann
In April 2002, Greg Bargmann with the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife gave a presentation on bottomfish found in Whatcom County. Approximately 25 community members attend the presentation held at the Fireplace Room at the Fairhaven Library. Bargmann discussed the various species of bottomfish and ground fish in area marine waters, with a special focus on bottomfish in Whatcom County. Topics included a description of bottomfish, their habitat, their importance in the marine environment, and populations in Whatcom County.

Orca Pass Stewardship Area- Mike Sato

In June 2002, Mike Sato with the People for Puget Sound gave a presentation describing the proposed Orca Pass Stewardship Area. Despite the political boundary, the "transboundary" waters between British Columbia and Washington State are really a single ecosystem. In the fall of 1999, more than 20 citizen groups came together around the need to establish a protected area in these shared waters. Citizens and local governments have worked to create a scientific, practical, and flexible framework for protecting the marine plants, animals and habitats shared by the southern Canadian Gulf Islands and the US San Juan Islands.
For more information about the proposal, visit the People for Puget Sound.

2001

Salmon and the Nearshore Environment- Kurt Fresh
In May 2001, Kurt Fresh with the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife gave a presentation on salmon in the nearshore environment to approximately 25 attendees. Fresh, a recognized expert on salmon in the marine environment and a lively speaker, discussed the life history and ecology of salmon in the nearshore; why the nearshore environment is important to salmon; the effect of human changes on the nearshore on salmon; and ways that we can protect and enhance these areas for salmon. The presentation was videotaped and is available for interested community members.