From the snowpack high in the Cascades to creeks and rivers to lakes and eventually the bay (not to mention frequent rainy spells), water in Whatcom County is inescapable.
It’s an essential and ever-present element of environmental, professional, recreational and cultural value, which is why every September the Whatcom Watersheds Information Network (WWIN) hosts Whatcom Water Week to showcase water resources.
WWIN is made up of government agencies and nonprofits that are engaged in education, watershed management and conservation around the county. During Whatcom Water Week, these network members offer a wide range of events for every age group and interest level.
From Sept. 14 through 22, learn more about where Whatcom County’s water comes from, where it ends up and how to conserve and protect it. The 16th year of Whatcom Water Week will include waterfront story walks, a tour of the Lightcatcher Building’s green roof, the Run with the Chums Fun Run in Blaine, a work party on Whatcom Creek, a women’s full moon hike, a self-guided tour of 16 Whatcom farms, a Ferndale beach clean-up, trivia, bingo, cornhole and a variety of educational events geared to kids and adults.
Million-year-old Water Week mascot Wayne Drop might be in attendance at some of the events, if he’s not surfing in Tahiti or skiing in the Alps.
For the artistically inclined, submissions are already open for the ninth annual photo contest. This year’s theme is “Water — It’s Everybody’s Business,” and contest categories are Favorite Water Spot, Working for Water, Protecting and Restoring Our Water and People Having Fun. Prizes are awarded for each category plus fan favorite, sponsor favorite and best camera phone photo. The contest runs through September and voting for fan favorite is open from Oct. 1-12. Find rules and the submission form online.
If you’d rather take photos of your dog than bodies of water, the We Scoop Photo Contest may be a better fit. Participants can submit pet pics and take the We Scoop pledge, which promotes keeping pet waste out of the watershed.
Most Water Week events are free but some require preregistration. Find the full schedule at whatcomwin.org.
Julia Tellman writes about civic issues and anything else that happens to cross her desk; contact her at juliatellman@cascadiadaily.com.
