Around Birch Bay

by Tara Nelson

WSU program offers free stormwater workshop

Washington State University’s Shore Stewards program will offer a free workshop at 9 a.m., Saturday, November 18 at the Blaine Harbor Building on Marine Drive in Blaine.

Program manager Cheryl Lovato Niles said the free program is designed to show individuals how to protect their property from erosion in a way that also protects the marine environment.

“Many people will put in a hard bulkhead, which will often lead to erosion (of beach habitat) because it will reflect all the wave’s energy back onto the beach,” she said. “And that’s where surf smelt and sand lance will lay their eggs. Obviously, people want to protect their property but there are ways they can do that, which will protect the crabs and fish and all the other organisms.”

The workshop will include presentations from Jim Johannessen of Coastal Geological Services, Mark Buerher of 20/20 Engineering, and Jim Brennan of the University of Washington.

Presenters will speak about the geology of beaches and bluffs, landslides, erosion, marine ecology, storm water drainage, infiltration techniques including rain gardens, and how to stabilize slopes to help sustain local fish and wildlife.

Registration required. For more information, call 676-6736 or email Cheryl Lovato Niles, WSU Extension Shore Stewards program manager, at clniles@wsu.edu.


NSEA holds work party Nov. 18

The Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association, along with the Chums of Terrell Creek, the Terrell Creek Stream Stewards and BP Cherry Point Refinery employees, has scheduled a work party from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, November 18.

Participants will be invited to remove non-native vegetation and plant native trees and shrubs. Tools and gloves will be provided. Refreshments will be provided by The Bagelry, the Community Food Co-op, Starbuck’s and Tony’s Coffee. Sturdy shoes and weather-appropriate clothing is recommended.

The Chums of Terrell Creek will be sponsoring a barbeque lunch after the work party. For more information call 715-0283, visit n-sea.org, or email volunteers@n-sea.org.