Original Post Date: 4-16-2008
Quite a few pertinent tidbits of information have stacked up recently, so let’s clear that pile now!
First a correction: The requirement to house 80% of the projected county population gain in designated Urban Growth Areas is not required by the State Growth Management Act, as was wrongly stated in the April 9 NaturalSkagit blog posting. The specific number, 80%, is a Skagit county planning target.
Second a clarification: The West Coast Estuaries Initiatives press release about the $625,000 Alternatives Futures grant mentioned last week says the County is just a “finalist”. But deep reading of the press release suggests that “finalist” means “You’re a Winner.”
Then a bunch of links: The live web-cam view into the March’s Point Heronry can be seen at http://www.padillabay.gov/education_heron.html There are still some occasional problems with the camera, but take a look now and then. The action will get very interesting when the birds begin to turn the eggs and then again when they hatch!!!
There was a fine article in the Herald recently about the Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Facility on San Juan Island. Their website is http://www.wolfhollowwildlife.org and the phone number is 360 378 5000. Put that number in your vehicle. Call if you see injured wildlife and they will help deal with it.
People For Puget Sound hosts a live broadcast on KSVR, 91.7 FM, every Tuesday at 5pm. Each is an interview about interesting Sound topics, many featuring local folk. You can also retrieve and hear previous broadcasts at http://www.pugetsound.org/primary/learn/adults/psv/2008
And a reminder: Free bus transportation to/from Earth Day Celebration activities at the Swinomish Community Center this Saturday. Click http://www.swinomish.org/news/ for bus ticket and routes/schedules.
Lastly some interesting, inspiring reading: William Dietrich is a local author/teacher who made his mark earning a Pulitzer for reporting on the Valdez Oil Spill. Subsequently he has written articles for the Seattle Times about the Skagit Valley as well as numerous other books. Recently he has provided a talk and an essay about the need to preserve our local resources, and you can read those at http://www.ncascades.org/more_info/field_notes/pdf/dietrich_essay.pdf and http://www.ptmsc.org/education/ourwheezingheart.html You can help too by getting out to your local book store for a copy of Natural Grace: The Charm, Wonder, & Lessons of Pacific Northwest Animals and Plants by Dietrich, published in 2003. Proceeds go to local conservation and environmental education organizations.
The Local-Organization-You-Might-Want-To-Be-Involved-With this week is the Salal Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society http://www.wnps.org/salal/ The mission of this non-profit group is to “Promote appreciation and conservation of Washington’s native plants and their habitats through study, education, and advocacy.” Meetings are the first Saturday of the month, October – June, 10:00am – Noon in Rm. A-11, Angst Hall, Skagit Valley College. Meetings are open to all.
Members ($25/year) learn about gardening with native plants, help protect threatened plants and habitat, enjoy expert presentations and workshops, take frequent field trips, and get a useful newsletter. There are many upcoming field trips posted on the website.
The Society’s annual Spring Native Plant Sale is Sat, April 26, 10am – noon, at the Display Gardens of the WSU Research Center on Memorial Highway. Get there early! Sales are brisk! Demand is high! Dig ‘em In!
Here are some near-term activities to consider:
Wed. April 16 Marine Recovery Area discussion Skagit County Dep’t of Health 6:00pm – 7:00pm Fidalgo School Anacortes
Sat. April 19 Tree planting with the Skagit Land Trust http://www.skagitlandtrust.org and the Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group http://www.skagitfisheries.org 9:30am – 1:00pm Jackman Creek near Concrete. or for directions, instructions, and to let them know you are coming!
Sat. April 19 Welcome the Whales Day Langley on Whidbey Island 10:00am – 5:00 pm http://www.orcanetwork.org for more info and to volunteer!
Sat. April 19 Earth Day Celebrations at Swinomish Community Center near LaConner 9:00am – 4:00 pm Free bus transportation. Get Bus Pass at http://www.swinomish.org/news/ Bus schedule at http://www.skagittransit.org and scroll down
Tue. April 22 Newhalem Campground Spring Cleaning North Cascades National Park 9:00am – 3:00pm 360 854 7275
Tue. April 22 Bob Carey of the Nature Conservancy - “The Magic Skagit – a River of Life for Wildlife and People” Mt. Vernon Food Co-op 7:00pm
Thur. April 24 SR 20 Litter Pick-up Meet at Wilderness Info. Center in Marblemount North Cascades National Park 9:00am – 3:00pm (Joyce Brown 360 854 7304 to carpool from Woolley,) 360 854 7275
Sat. April 26 Native Plant Sale - The Salal/Washington Native Plant Society at the WSU Display Gardens on Memorial Highway, Mt. Vernon 10:00am - Noon
Sat. April 26 Native Plant Nursery Spring Setup North Cascades National Park Marblemount Ranger Station 9:00am – 3:00pm RSVP 360 854 7275
Many similar events and activities and opportunities are posted on the GoSkagit Event Calendar. Check it often!
(Your comments about this blog will be helpful. New ideas to consider, and changes we should make are especially welcome. Corrections and further enlightenment will help as well. You can email to {encode="PeteH@Skagitwater.org" title="PeteH@Skagitwater.org"}. Thank you.)
