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In the winter, Red-throated Loons gather in great numbers to feed in Deception Pass at the turn of the tide. Sarah Schmidt and Joe Sheldon are the trip leaders for this Whidbey Audubon hosted field trip. Meet at 9 a.m. at the north end of the West Beach parking lot in Deception Pass State Park. Carpools leave from the Coupeville Transit Station at 8 a.m. and Windjammer Park on South Beeksma Drive in Oak Harbor at 8:30 a.m. All drivers must have a Discover Pass. Dress for the weather and in layers. If you have them, bring binoculars or spotting scope.

Help us keep our beaches clean and keep harmful debris out of our marine habitat.  This is a WSU Island County Extension sponsored program.

A note from Stinger Anderson, Community Beach Cleanup Coordinator:

“Well, we have reached the end of yet another year. Overall, our beaches are looking pretty good.  Double Bluff, Joseph Whidbey, Deception Pass and the Camano Island State Parks all stay relatively clean these days.  The exceptions are the beaches around the Keystone Ferry- Fort Casey State Park, Ebey’s Landing National Reserve and especially the Keystone Spit beaches.  On our last visit to Keystone Spit East the last Friday in December, twelve of us collected 240 pounds of litter in two hours.  And, we barely put a dent in the vast amount that has washed ashore from winter storms.

Thank you all for your help and support over 2014.  This program depends on people like you.

I’ll see you on the beach!

Please contact Stinger prior to attending a beach cleanup to let him know to expect you, preferably at least two days before. This will insure you know where to meet and that, if there is an emergency change or cancellation in the schedule, he can then notify you.

• Bags, gloves, and other equipment will be provided.
• Wear appropriate clothing for the weather and footwear for walking over sand, cobble, and driftwood.
• Schedule can change due to adverse weather conditions.
• A one day volunteer park access pass is available for volunteers who do not have a Washington State Parks Discovery Pass. 
• Only Adults, 18 or older, may participate in these organized beach cleanups

Recognizing the threat to their future, these young people have decided to do something about it. Learn how Alec Loorz of i Matter, Felix Finkbeiner of Plant For the Planet, Sara Tekola of 350.org and others are seeking creative solutions to the carbon pollution crisis and other, related social justice issues.

An opportunity for dialogue will follow.

*Sponsored by the Greening Congregations of Whidbey Island

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation is located on Highway 525,
2 miles north of Freeland

(20103 State Route 525 Freeland, WA 98249)

Whidbey Audubon Birding in the Neighborhoods - South Whidbey

The trips are every other Thursday and the meeting time and place varies with the season. If you would like to be notified of the  events, contact Phyllis Kind via the Whidbey Audubon site.  No experience necessary.  Dress for the weather.  Carpool when possible.  This is a Whidbey Audubon Society sponsored event.

Help us keep our beaches clean and keep harmful debris out of our marine habitat.  This is a WSU Island County Extension sponsored program.

A note from Stinger Anderson, Community Beach Cleanup Coordinator:

“Well, we have reached the end of yet another year. Overall, our beaches are looking pretty good.  Double Bluff, Joseph Whidbey, Deception Pass and the Camano Island State Parks all stay relatively clean these days.  The exceptions are the beaches around the Keystone Ferry- Fort Casey State Park, Ebey’s Landing National Reserve and especially the Keystone Spit beaches.  On our last visit to Keystone Spit East the last Friday in December, twelve of us collected 240 pounds of litter in two hours.  And, we barely put a dent in the vast amount that has washed ashore from winter storms.

Thank you all for your help and support over 2014.  This program depends on people like you.

I’ll see you on the beach!

Please contact Stinger prior to attending a beach cleanup to let him know to expect you, preferably at least two days before. This will insure you know where to meet and that, if there is an emergency change or cancellation in the schedule, he can then notify you.

• Bags, gloves, and other equipment will be provided.
• Wear appropriate clothing for the weather and footwear for walking over sand, cobble, and driftwood.
• Schedule can change due to adverse weather conditions.
• A one day volunteer park access pass is available for volunteers who do not have a Washington State Parks Discovery Pass. 
• Only Adults, 18 or older, may participate in these organized beach cleanups

Please join WSU Island County Beach Watchers as we celebrate 20 years of Sound Waters

• A one day university for all - on all things Puget Sound
• Saturday, February 7th, 2015
• South Whidbey High School, Langley, WA

See the Sound Waters website for a preview of the Keynote and Classes (nearly 40 new this year). You may purchase gift certificates for holiday giving, or download this year's poster.  Registration will open January 4th, 2015.

Celebrating 20 years, Sound Waters 2015 will feature the University of Washington’s Dr. John Delaney as the keynote speaker. He will tell us about the recent installation of the world’s largest Internet connected ocean observatory off the west coast. Robots monitoring the ocean from the surface to the bottom will help us better understand the ocean as the ultimate life-support system for our planet.

Exhibits focusing on the 20-year history of Sound Waters will explain how Beach Watchers work with so many other organizations to protect our fragile ecosystem.

These are just a few of the 60 sessions featuring a wide variety of marine topics:

• Raptors, puffins and owls
• Sea star wasting syndrome
• Giant Pacific octopus
• Oyster gardening and native pollinators
• How Apex predators drive diversity in the natural environment
• The Elwha
• Melting ice sheets and sea level rise
• Storm water pollution solutions
• How trees hug back

Sound Waters is a unique opportunity to learn about the ocean and marine environment. Knowledge will help us save this miracle of nature for future generations.

Registration opens January 4, 2015. Classes fill quickly. Visit our website to learn more: http://beachwatchers.net/soundwaters/wp/

Remembering and Reclaiming Our Roots: the Essence of Leadership is Creativity and Learning

Help us keep our beaches clean and keep harmful debris out of our marine habitat.  This is a WSU Island County Extension sponsored program.

A note from Stinger Anderson, Community Beach Cleanup Coordinator:

“Well, we have reached the end of yet another year. Overall, our beaches are looking pretty good.  Double Bluff, Joseph Whidbey, Deception Pass and the Camano Island State Parks all stay relatively clean these days.  The exceptions are the beaches around the Keystone Ferry- Fort Casey State Park, Ebey’s Landing National Reserve and especially the Keystone Spit beaches.  On our last visit to Keystone Spit East the last Friday in December, twelve of us collected 240 pounds of litter in two hours.  And, we barely put a dent in the vast amount that has washed ashore from winter storms.

Thank you all for your help and support over 2014.  This program depends on people like you.

I’ll see you on the beach!

Please contact Stinger prior to attending a beach cleanup to let him know to expect you, preferably at least two days before. This will insure you know where to meet and that, if there is an emergency change or cancellation in the schedule, he can then notify you.

• Bags, gloves, and other equipment will be provided.
• Wear appropriate clothing for the weather and footwear for walking over sand, cobble, and driftwood.
• Schedule can change due to adverse weather conditions.
• A one day volunteer park access pass is available for volunteers who do not have a Washington State Parks Discovery Pass. 
• Only Adults, 18 or older, may participate in these organized beach cleanups

This event is FREE, but you must RSVP to (360) 678-5586 or holly@pacificriminstitute.org

Hands-on grafting (primarily apples). You will learn how to graft.  We'll have a nice selection of uncommon apple scion wood and rootstocks.  You should be able to create and take home your own, custom-grafted tree!

Note: Bring any grafting equipment and supplies you may have and one-galldon containers or plastic bags.  We will have plenty of damp sawdust. Bring your own lunch.

Whidbey Audubon Birding in the Neighborhoods - South Whidbey

The trips are every other Thursday and the meeting time and place varies with the season. If you would like to be notified of the  events, contact Phyllis Kind via the Whidbey Audubon site.  No experience necessary.  Dress for the weather.  Carpool when possible.  This is a Whidbey Audubon Society sponsored event.

Help us keep our beaches clean and keep harmful debris out of our marine habitat.  This is a WSU Island County Extension sponsored program.

A note from Stinger Anderson, Community Beach Cleanup Coordinator:

“Well, we have reached the end of yet another year. Overall, our beaches are looking pretty good.  Double Bluff, Joseph Whidbey, Deception Pass and the Camano Island State Parks all stay relatively clean these days.  The exceptions are the beaches around the Keystone Ferry- Fort Casey State Park, Ebey’s Landing National Reserve and especially the Keystone Spit beaches.  On our last visit to Keystone Spit East the last Friday in December, twelve of us collected 240 pounds of litter in two hours.  And, we barely put a dent in the vast amount that has washed ashore from winter storms.

Thank you all for your help and support over 2014.  This program depends on people like you.

I’ll see you on the beach!

Please contact Stinger prior to attending a beach cleanup to let him know to expect you, preferably at least two days before. This will insure you know where to meet and that, if there is an emergency change or cancellation in the schedule, he can then notify you.

• Bags, gloves, and other equipment will be provided.
• Wear appropriate clothing for the weather and footwear for walking over sand, cobble, and driftwood.
• Schedule can change due to adverse weather conditions.
• A one day volunteer park access pass is available for volunteers who do not have a Washington State Parks Discovery Pass. 
• Only Adults, 18 or older, may participate in these organized beach cleanups

Help us keep our beaches clean and keep harmful debris out of our marine habitat.  This is a WSU Island County Extension sponsored program.

A note from Stinger Anderson, Community Beach Cleanup Coordinator:

“Well, we have reached the end of yet another year. Overall, our beaches are looking pretty good.  Double Bluff, Joseph Whidbey, Deception Pass and the Camano Island State Parks all stay relatively clean these days.  The exceptions are the beaches around the Keystone Ferry- Fort Casey State Park, Ebey’s Landing National Reserve and especially the Keystone Spit beaches.  On our last visit to Keystone Spit East the last Friday in December, twelve of us collected 240 pounds of litter in two hours.  And, we barely put a dent in the vast amount that has washed ashore from winter storms.

Thank you all for your help and support over 2014.  This program depends on people like you.

I’ll see you on the beach!

Please contact Stinger prior to attending a beach cleanup to let him know to expect you, preferably at least two days before. This will insure you know where to meet and that, if there is an emergency change or cancellation in the schedule, he can then notify you.

• Bags, gloves, and other equipment will be provided.
• Wear appropriate clothing for the weather and footwear for walking over sand, cobble, and driftwood.
• Schedule can change due to adverse weather conditions.
• A one day volunteer park access pass is available for volunteers who do not have a Washington State Parks Discovery Pass. 
• Only Adults, 18 or older, may participate in these organized beach cleanups

The Northwest Straits Foundation and Island County Marine Resource Committee invite you to join us for a free oil spill preparedness workshop on Thursday, Feb 26, 2015, at the Coupeville Rec Hall,  901 Northwest Alexander Street, in Coupeville, WA from 1:00 – 4:00. The workshop is designed especially for elected officials, emergency managers, and other public officials involved in emergency preparedness and response coordination.

What is the role of the elected officials and emergency managers during oil spill incidents in your community?  This workshop will answer that question and more:

• Overview of the state and federal oil spill prevention, preparedness and response programs
• The role of the Northwest Area Planning Committee and Regional Response Team
• The difference between the Stafford Act and the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90)

o   Overview of the Incident Command System

o   The role of the Responsible Party

o   Funding for local government to respond

• Topic of Concern – Communication challenges during spill incidents

A final agenda will be sent out two weeks prior to the workshop. Participation is limited. Please RSVP by February 12^th to Heidi Lehman, at lehman@nwstraits.org.

We look forward to seeing you at this important workshop!

Help us keep our beaches clean and keep harmful debris out of our marine habitat.  This is a WSU Island County Extension sponsored program.

A note from Stinger Anderson, Community Beach Cleanup Coordinator:

“Well, we have reached the end of yet another year. Overall, our beaches are looking pretty good.  Double Bluff, Joseph Whidbey, Deception Pass and the Camano Island State Parks all stay relatively clean these days.  The exceptions are the beaches around the Keystone Ferry- Fort Casey State Park, Ebey’s Landing National Reserve and especially the Keystone Spit beaches.  On our last visit to Keystone Spit East the last Friday in December, twelve of us collected 240 pounds of litter in two hours.  And, we barely put a dent in the vast amount that has washed ashore from winter storms.

Thank you all for your help and support over 2014.  This program depends on people like you.

I’ll see you on the beach!

Please contact Stinger prior to attending a beach cleanup to let him know to expect you, preferably at least two days before. This will insure you know where to meet and that, if there is an emergency change or cancellation in the schedule, he can then notify you.

• Bags, gloves, and other equipment will be provided.
• Wear appropriate clothing for the weather and footwear for walking over sand, cobble, and driftwood.
• Schedule can change due to adverse weather conditions.
• A one day volunteer park access pass is available for volunteers who do not have a Washington State Parks Discovery Pass. 
• Only Adults, 18 or older, may participate in these organized beach cleanups

Join us for a FREE screening of the documentary, COWSPIRACY: The Sustainability Secret

“As eye-opening as Blackfish and as inspiring as An Inconvenient Truth. Cowspiracy may be the most important film made to inspire saving the planet.”‘

Whidbey Institute staff members Marnie Jones and Kimi Hoover are pleased to bring Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret to Langley’s Clyde Theatre. This feature-length documentary is a must-see for anyone concerned with water quality, deforestation, global hunger, or climate change. The film will begin at 1 pm, and run about 2 hours.

One single industry is destroying the planet more than any other—and now, their secret is out!

This film is appropriate for audience members of most ages, and is a must-see for anyone considering themselves an environmentalist. The screening will be followed by a brief, optional Q & A session with the presenters.

Directed by Kip Andersen and Keegan Kuhn.

Click here for the trailer

CowspiracyPoster

Whidbey Audubon Birding in the Neighborhoods - South Whidbey

The trips are every other Thursday and the meeting time and place varies with the season. If you would like to be notified of the  events, contact Phyllis Kind via the Whidbey Audubon site.  No experience necessary.  Dress for the weather.  Carpool when possible.  This is a Whidbey Audubon Society sponsored event.

Help us keep our beaches clean and keep harmful debris out of our marine habitat.  This is a WSU Island County Extension sponsored program.

A note from Stinger Anderson, Community Beach Cleanup Coordinator:

“Well, we have reached the end of yet another year. Overall, our beaches are looking pretty good.  Double Bluff, Joseph Whidbey, Deception Pass and the Camano Island State Parks all stay relatively clean these days.  The exceptions are the beaches around the Keystone Ferry- Fort Casey State Park, Ebey’s Landing National Reserve and especially the Keystone Spit beaches.  On our last visit to Keystone Spit East the last Friday in December, twelve of us collected 240 pounds of litter in two hours.  And, we barely put a dent in the vast amount that has washed ashore from winter storms.

Thank you all for your help and support over 2014.  This program depends on people like you.

I’ll see you on the beach!

Please contact Stinger prior to attending a beach cleanup to let him know to expect you, preferably at least two days before. This will insure you know where to meet and that, if there is an emergency change or cancellation in the schedule, he can then notify you.

• Bags, gloves, and other equipment will be provided.
• Wear appropriate clothing for the weather and footwear for walking over sand, cobble, and driftwood.
• Schedule can change due to adverse weather conditions.
• A one day volunteer park access pass is available for volunteers who do not have a Washington State Parks Discovery Pass. 
• Only Adults, 18 or older, may participate in these organized beach cleanups

Help us keep our beaches clean and keep harmful debris out of our marine habitat.  This is a WSU Island County Extension sponsored program.

A note from Stinger Anderson, Community Beach Cleanup Coordinator:

“Well, we have reached the end of yet another year. Overall, our beaches are looking pretty good.  Double Bluff, Joseph Whidbey, Deception Pass and the Camano Island State Parks all stay relatively clean these days.  The exceptions are the beaches around the Keystone Ferry- Fort Casey State Park, Ebey’s Landing National Reserve and especially the Keystone Spit beaches.  On our last visit to Keystone Spit East the last Friday in December, twelve of us collected 240 pounds of litter in two hours.  And, we barely put a dent in the vast amount that has washed ashore from winter storms.

Thank you all for your help and support over 2014.  This program depends on people like you.

I’ll see you on the beach!

Please contact Stinger prior to attending a beach cleanup to let him know to expect you, preferably at least two days before. This will insure you know where to meet and that, if there is an emergency change or cancellation in the schedule, he can then notify you.

• Bags, gloves, and other equipment will be provided.
• Wear appropriate clothing for the weather and footwear for walking over sand, cobble, and driftwood.
• Schedule can change due to adverse weather conditions.
• A one day volunteer park access pass is available for volunteers who do not have a Washington State Parks Discovery Pass. 
• Only Adults, 18 or older, may participate in these organized beach cleanups