Marine Events

Marine News & Events

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Whatcom County MRC Meetings
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Marine Events in 2006

March

Field Trip: Marine Birds in Troubled Waters.
Saturday, March 11, 2006 at 8:30am.

Spend time observing and identifying seabirds, shorebirds, and waterfowl while learning about the current state of our local marine waters and opportunities to help protect and conserve habitat and our marine environment. Sponsored by North Cascades Audubon and the North Sound Baykeeper Trip limit: 12. Trip leaders: Dave Schmalz, 671-1537, and North Sound Baykeeper, Wendy Steffensen, 733-8307.

Birding at Semiahmoo.
Saturday, March 4, 2006 from 9am to 12pm
Semiahmoo Park Museum, Whatcom County

Join bird experts from the North Cascades Audubon Society exploring the beaches and skies of Semiahmoo Spit. This is truly a premier location in the Northwest for diversity of birds and ease of access. We will walk the cobblestone beaches of Semiahmoo Park, discuss opportunities related to this fascinating hobby and spend some time in the park museum sharing our feathered fantasies. Bring your field guides, binoculars and scopes. Dress for the weather and beach walking. This birding experience is led by the North Cascades Audubon Society and is free.

Semiahmoo Park Beach Walk.
Saturday, March 4, 2006 from 3:30 to 5:30pm
Semiahmoo Park Museum, Whatcom County

This is a great experience for the whole family and a unique experience for your out of town guests! See a lot of Whatcom County rolled into one amazing bundle of natural and cultural history, gorgeous scenery, and much more. We will start with a quick tour through the park museum where displays focus on the history of the spit's Alaska Packers Association cannery. We will then hike the two plus mile loop around the entire spit looking at cool stuff and talking about everything from cannery history to tideflats. All ages are welcome, but need to be able to keep up with a moderate paced group including some strolling on the cobblestone beach. Led by Ben VanBuskirk or Steve LeCocq. Fee: $3.00 per person, or $10 per family - Register on site. (This activity is offered at no cost to participants in the blackberry removal project described below).

Semiahmoo Park- Volunteer Opportunity.
Saturday, March 4, 2006 from 1:00 to 3:00pm
Semiahmoo Park Museum, Whatcom County

Does one side of you really dislike Himalayan blackberries? Does one side of you really love native plants and a beautiful saltwater shoreline? If you answered yes to any of the above, join us in a little invasive plant eradication. We will spend a couple hours attacking those thorny vines, break for refreshments in the park museum and then go on an optional free two-hour beach walk. Bring heavy leather gloves, pruners or loppers, your own snacks/refreshments and a desire to enjoy Semiahmoo Park. Led by Ben VanBuskirk or Steve LeCocq. For more information please call 360-733-2900.

NEW- Speaker Event: Cherry Point Pacific Herring ESA Status Review
Thursday, March 2, 2006 7:30pm
Whatcom County Civic Center Annex, Second Floor Conference Room
322 N. Commercial Street, Bellingham (across from Bellingham Public Library)

On March 2, 2006, the Whatcom County Marine Resources Committee will host a presentation about Cherry Point Herring. Richard Gustafson, a research fisheries biologist with NOAA, National Marine Fisheries Service Northwest Fisheries Science Center in Seattle, will speak about the Endangered Species Act (ESA) status of the Cherry Point Pacific Herring. Specifically, he will discuss the ESA listing process – how the federal government determines whether or not a species is given protection under the ESA. Rick will illustrate the listing process using the Cherry Point herring proposal as an example. Whatcom County is home to ESA protected species, such as Chinook salmon and Bull trout and is sometimes visited by the recently listed Southern Resident Orca whales. The event is free and open to the general public. More Info

February

Birding at Semiahmoo.
Saturday, February 4, 2006 from 9am to 12pm
Wednesday, February 15, from 9 am to 12 pm
Semiahmoo Park Museum, Whatcom County

Tour Semiahmoo.
Saturday, February 4, 2006 from 3:30 to 5:30pm
Semiahmoo Park Museum, Whatcom County

Semiahmoo Park- Volunteer Opportunity.
Saturday, February 4, 2006 from 1:00 to 3:00pm
Semiahmoo Park Museum, Whatcom County

January
Ways of Whales Workshop.
Saturday, January 28, 2006 from 9am to 4 pm
Coupeville Middle School Performing Arts Center, Whidbey Island

Join Orca Network for a day of learning about the whales of the Salish Sea, with presentations ranging from the extended stay of transient Orcas in Hood Canal, to the recent Endangered status of the Southern Resident orcas and how they are faring.
Mark your calendar now, and don't miss this opportunity to hear from the region's best experts on our fascinating finned friends. Educational displays and materials will be available throughout the day, and an optional lunch is available (veggie or meat lasagna).
Cost of the workshop is $20 (plus $6 for optional lunch). More information & registration online at: http://www.orcanetwork.org/news/events.html or by contacting Orca Network at 360-678-3451 or info@orcanetwork.org.

Evening Beach Walk at Larrabee State Park.
Friday, January 27, 2006 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Larrabee State Park

Join Doug Stark, RE Sources Volunteer Beach Naturalist coordinator, and Ken Carrasco, WSU and Washington Sea Grant marine biologist, on an the interpretive tour of the tide flats and rocky shore. Volunteer Beach Naturalists will also prowl the shore, flashlights in hand, to help seek, discover and observe the cove's denizens of the night. For the truly eager beach naturalist, big surprises often reveal themselves at night, as unsuspecting sunflower stars, nudibranchs and even an occasional octopus may lurk in darkness above the receding tide. The low tides of the longer winter nights offer a wonderful opportunity to witness many creatures that would otherwise "run" and hide from predators or the drying sun of summer. $15 for general public, $10 for RE Sources members. Contact RE Sources at 733-8307 or email dougs@re-sources.org.

Bellingham Waterfront Guidelines- Public Open House.
January 24, 2006 at 7pm Bellingham Cruise Terminal
January 31, 2006 at 7pm at Bellingham Municipal Court

“The City of Bellingham and Port of Bellingham have joined forces to redevelop 137 waterfront acres acquired by the Port earlier this year. The 20-year vision: a new city neighborhood with homes, shops, offices and light industry, as well as parks and promenades, a healthy shoreline habitat along Bellingham Bay, and a new marina. The open houses will give community members a chance to review four proposed site design concepts. At these workshops, project consultants and staff will explain the differences and similarities among the plans, which show potential sites for parks and trails, kayak and small boat launches, major roads and bridges and new habitat areas.” For more information visit http://www.newwhatcom.org.