Here is a preview of the many events relevant to our watershed that will be occurring this fall. If you know of others that we missed, let us know so we can include them!

Oct 15: WCD Speaker Series, Farm Funding Opportunities, 6-8pm at the Ferndale WECU. Last year this was reportedly the best-attended of the entire speaker series. Less ‘speaker’ and more conversation, this event offers direct connections with representatives from a wide range of funding sources & types. Plus, you will hear from panel of funding recipients from the local farm community.

Oct 26 NSEA-WCD partner work party 9am-12pm on Tenmile Creek.
Read about it here!
This is a continuation of the work we helped with for Earth Day in April, on a stretch of the creek east of Reither Elementary, at E. Hemmi Road. This summer, the county redirected the creek into an original section of its channel while installing a larger road culvert to alleviate local flooding. Now this month we will celebrate ‘Make a Difference Day‘ as we plant native trees along the creek there. This is a beautiful site we should all know about, a great continuing example of restoration potential adjacent to agricultural lands while maintaining salmon habitat. Join us – we will be there with our display table – mud-boots, work gloves & all!

Oct 29: Septic System Homeowner Training, 6-8pm, Ferndale WECU; follow the link to register – seats are limited!
The training covers how your septic system works and provides tips for proper maintenance. You will leave feeling good about understanding how this expensive and important piece of your property functions. When you complete the training you also qualify to apply for rebates on repairs or maintenance costs for your septic system. Learn more on the County’s septic system website here. For 5 tips on keeping a healthy system see our previous blog post here.

Nov 13: our Tenmile Clean Water Project meeting, 6:30-8pm, at Bellewood Acres Farmstead & Brewery.
Program: Aneka Sweeney from the Whatcom Conservation District will explain how tree & shrub stream buffers help improve water quality. Q&A will follow.

Looking ahead: We have confirmed speakers for our next two meetings, and expect you will not want to miss these – plan now!

Jan 8: 6:30-8pm, at Bellewood Acres Farmstead & Brewery.
Program: Chuck Lindsey (Associated Earth Sciences) has extensive experience studying our Whatcom watersheds. That experience will be on display as Chuck will share: Groundwater Insights: From Nooksack River to Tenmile Creek. Q&A will follow.

Mar 11: 6:30-8pm, at Bellewood Acres Farmstead & Brewery.
Program: John Mercer (Co-owner of Water System Services) and his business has supported both public & private drinking water systems in our county for decades. John will share some of what he has learned along the way with: Rural Whatcom Water Systems: Lessons from 20 Years of Service. Q&A will follow.