What are aquifers and why are they important? How does aquifer recharge occur? How big is the aquifer for Whidbey Island? What can be done to enhance it? How much water are we using from the aquifer? What implications does this have for Whidbey Island? 

Last night Whidbey Watershed Stewards hosted a presentation by hall of famer Perry Lovelace. Perry has 25 years experience in groundwater management. He is the Bayview Beach Water District Commissioner and serves as a Langley Public Works Advisory Commissioner. Perry's special interests are rainfall patterns, aquifers, wells and resource management.

At the presentation Perry explained and discussed the issues around the sustainability of our water resources on Whidbey Island. He also provided insights and explanations about what other communities – local to Whidbey and throughout the world – are doing about water resources.

The session was very well attended with 50 people at the session. The presentation lasted just over an hour and there was ample time for questions, answers, and discussion. There was also an active 3D groundwater model operating for the guests. The model shows how water flows (or not) through various soil compounds such as sand, gravel, and clay.

Perry’s presentation began with some important questions about aquifers and then explored each of them as they relate to the local Whidbey Island aquifer. The level of the attendees' attention was very high. The attendees had a number of great questions which created healthy and productive discussion.

Whidbey Watershed Stewards would like to thank Perry for making time to meet with our community and for his ongoing and tireless work and stewardship of our local water resources. We look forward to seeing him again very soon.

Clint Hatton

Executive Director

Whidbey Watershed Stewards 

SEE Tickets: $100.00 per person

Tickets can be purchased online through the Whidbey

Watershed Stewards Website

Link: https://whidbeywatersheds.org/see-2022

or mailed with a check to PO Box 617, Langley, WA 98260

This year, you can look forward to:

-Exceptional Ott & Hunter wines and Double Bluff micro brews

-Hearty and Refreshing Mediterranean Buffet by Creative Cuisine

-Homemade pies, and Pie Auction with Auctioneer Janet Hall

-Special Music by Barbara Dunn, Instrumentalist and Vocalist

Join us for an easy half mile walk around the Freeland Wetland Preserve on Newman Road as a part of Whidbey Island Earth and Ocean Month. Find out what plants and animals make their home here and if you are lucky you might find a painted rock to take home.

More detailed location infomration for the Freeland Wetland Preserve can be found in the book “Hiking Close to Home” by Maribeth Crandell and Jack Hartt.

Check out other Whidbey Island Earth and Ocean Month events

Passionate about ornithology and local bird species? Come share your passion and knowledge with students in grades K-5 as an Volunteer Instructor in our Spring Program: Birds in the Ecosystem!

Join us at the Outdoor Classroom on April 12th from 9:00-2:00 for an Instructor Training for the Spring 2022 season! At this training you will receive all the lesson plans for the season, and build the necessary skills to be an impactful instructor. Lunch is included! Follow this link to RSVP for this training: https://signup.com/go/KAovjht.

Looking for more information? Send those questions to Shelby at shelby.whidbeywatersheds@gmail.com.

Passionate about ornithology and local bird species? Come share your passion and knowledge with students in grades K-5 as an Volunteer Instructor in our Spring Program: Birds in the Ecosystem!

Join us at the Outdoor Classroom on April 7th from 9:00-2:00 for an Instructor Training for the Spring 2022 season! At this training you will receive all the lesson plans for the season, and build the necessary skills to be an impactful instructor. Lunch is included! Follow this link to RSVP for this training: https://signup.com/go/KAovjht.

Looking for more information? Send those questions to Shelby at shelby.whidbeywatersheds@gmail.com.

Sign up to become a Whidbey Watershed Stewards Volunteer Instructor at the Outdoor Classroom this Fall 2021 Season! 

To continue providing environmental education lessons to children in grades K-5 on Whidbey Island and beyond this Fall, we need your help! Volunteer Instructors help set up and take down materials and guide students through one of several fun activities about Water Ecology. Being a volunteer is fun, exciting and flexible. You can decide what days you would like to volunteer and which grade and topic level you would like to instruct.

Our Fall season begins on September 20th and runs 8 consecutive weeks until November 8th. This year we have a variety of volunteer shifts available, with a morning shift running from 9:00am-12:30pm, an afternoon shift running from 12:00pm-3:30pm and a long day shift running from 9:00am-3:00pm. Class visits are currently being scheduled and will occur during weekdays. Please share this information with your friends and neighbors, working in teams of instructors is always encouraged! 

Both first year and returning volunteers are asked to attend one Volunteer Instructor Training day at the Outdoor Classroom. This year our training dates are SEPTEMBER 7th, and SEPTEMBER 15th. A training session runs from 9:00am-2:00pm, with beverages, and lunch provided. These sessions are designed to provide you with all the lesson plans, tips and skills needed to be a successful instructor. During a training session members of our Education Committee will run through demonstrations of each lesson, allowing time to answer any questions and give their personal tips from years of instructing experience. Volunteers will leave with a physical copy of the lessons, daily schedules, checklists and WWS policies for reference. These trainings are also a great way to meet new members of the community, and engage with our Education Committee at Whidbey Watershed Stewards.

To sign up for a Training Session please visit the signup.com link (https://signup.com/go/LQHkvyT). Or contact WWS’s Education Coordinator at shelby.whibeywatersheds@gmail.com. Please also reach out if you have any questions, or are interested in becoming a volunteer but may not be available to attend either of the Training Session dates.

COVID-19 POLICY 

Due to rising COVID-19 case levels in Island County and beyond, masks are required at each Volunteer Training Session and class day. Each volunteer is required to show proof of completed vaccination status, and be at least two weeks past full vaccination status at the time of our first class visit on September 20th. Masks, gloves and hand washing sites will be provided at the Outdoor Classroom at all times. We thank you for your cooperation in these requests as we work together to protect the health of our community. 

Join us for our 27th Annual Salmon Enchanted Evening fundraiser! Support watershed education, research, and restoration with your ticket purchase and donations. Ticket price includes a catered street taco meal kit for pick up at The Star Store on July 8th, as well as our virtual SEE Program emailed to your inbox to enjoy at your leisure (Keynote presentation, WWS Program Update, and Musical Performance).

RSVP with your ticket purchase by Thursday, June 24 at: www.whidbeywatersheds.org/virtual-see

A virtual fundraising experience for our WWS donors that is in the spirit of Salmon Enchanted Evening, a la dining and pie auction. Open to the public for the first time in 26 years!

Donors were invited to buy tickets for a catered takeout meal, with additional fundraising items available for purchase such as homemade pies, cookies, and donated experiences and tours. Donors picked up their pre-ordered meals and add-ons on November 12th from The Star Store in Langley, and WWS Board & Staff were on location to provide any other pre-ordered items at the same time. A link to pre-recorded videos, including Keynote Speech, updates from WWS staff, and pre-recorded barn concert were emailed to all attendees that day.

Thank you for continuing to support Whidbey Watershed Stewards!