We promote sustainable communities and protect the health of northwestern Washington’s people and ecosystems through application of science, education, advocacy and action.

Orcas, clean energy, and more in WA's legislature: How you can speak up

http://www.re-sources.org/2019-legislative-session
The health of the environment and Washington residents depend heavily on lawmakers’ choices this year — from a dwindling southern resident orca population to devastating wildfires exacerbated by a changing climate. The Washington State Legislature convenes for a four-month session on January 14th for lawmaking and budgeting, and elected officials need to hear from you before, during, and after the session in order to take bold action.

As of April 17th, nearly all Environmental Priorities for 2019's legislative session are going strong! Learn more about important bills here.

In collaboration with the Environmental Priorities Coalition, we are advocating for and tracking several issues of significance to the people and ecosystems of the North Puget Sound.

Learn more, and see the status of key environmental priorities bills we're watching here, updated weekly.


Safer refineries, safer communities

Thursday, May 2nd
6:30 - 8:00 PM
Burlington Community Center, 1011 Greenleaf Ave, Burlington (map)

In 2010, an explosion at the Tesoro Anacortes refinery took the lives of seven workers. Now, Washington state has an opportunity to improve oil refinery safety rules to better protect workers and refinery communities, and to keep toxic materials from these catastrophes out of our air and water.

However, Western States Petroleum Association oil industry lobbyists have opposed these improvements. Come learn about proposed rules to protect workers, communities and ecosystems, and how you can help!

You'll also hear how California successfully updated its safety rules, and get some history on disaster investigations. The event is free and light refreshments provided.

The Department of Labor and Industry will soon seek public input on these rules, called Process Safety Management. The  presentation is hosted by United Steelworkers, the BlueGreen Alliance, RE Sources for Sustainable Communities and Evergreen Islands. Learn more here. (photo courtesy ofScott Butner, KUOW)


Stopping little green invaders — No, not Martians

Tuesday, May 14th
6:o0 - 8:00 PM
RE Sources for Sustainable Communities
2309 Meridian St, Bellingham (map)

This Atlantic ocean crustacean is a skilled predator, and has been blamed for harming the East Coast soft shell clam industry and could compete with native fish and birds if it gets into the Pacific Northwest. Come learn more about how a volunteer citizen scientist-led effort monitors for early detection and prevention of spreading European Green Crab.

Emily Grason of Washington Sea Grant will present on the Crab Team's work to monitor and prevent the spread of invasive green crabs. Contact eleanorh@re-sources.org for more information, and learn more about the Crab Team's work to keep this invasive species from establishing a population in the PNW.

Bellingham’s waterfront: New public spaces, new hope for orcas

http://www.re-sources.org/blog/cleanwater/bellinghamswaterfrontnewpublicspacesnewhopefororcas
Did you know there are many ways our little length of shoreline in Bellingham Bay can play a key role in restoring our orca population, even though orcas are rarely seen here? To start a conversation about it, Moondance Sea Kayak Adventures and our North Sound Baykeeper, Eleanor, took eight interested paddlers out on a kayak tour of Bellingham’s waterfront to celebrate Orca Month. They launched tandem kayaks from Zuanich Park for a close-up look at seven spots along the waterfront — including some sites the public hasn’t had access to for decades.  Read the North Sound Baykeeper's story here on our Clean Water Blog.


Balancing Water Supply Demands

http://www.re-sources.org/watersupply
Whatcom County depends on a reliable water supply for farms, wild salmon, healthy communities, and the outdoor lifestyle that makes this a special place to live. But plentiful water is not forever guaranteed, so we must work together to ensure enough water certainty for all, now and into the future. There’s plenty of water in the Pacific Northwest during much of the year. But only 10% of our annual rainfall occurs during the summer, when water is in greatest demand by agriculture, homes, and spawning salmon. Whatcom County is at a critical juncture in how we manage our water supply. Your input is needed to help balance the needs of all water users — including salmon. Read more. 

It takes a team effort to keep Whatcom County’s water clean

In Whatcom County, we have learned the hard way that we can’t take our good fortune for granted. From the efforts to restore Bellingham’s waterfront, you know that the cost of cleanup far exceeds the cost of prevention. You also know that declining water quality in Lake Whatcom, the drinking water source for 100,000 residents, gets more and more expensive to treat – a cost ultimately borne by you and me. 

To keep Whatcom County special, we need to be vigilant. We need to be careful. And we need to take action when pollution does taint our precious waters. That is RE Sources’ job, and we’ve done it for 35 years – upholding standards of respect, integrity, and always keeping an eye toward the future we are creating for our grandchildren. They deserve a future in which a prosperous community and clean water continue to coexist. Read more.

Voted best nonprofit in Bellingham

http://www.cascadiaweekly.com/pdfs/issues/201544.pdf
RE Sources was named the best nonprofit in 2015 by Cascadia Weekly readers in the "Best of Bellingham." The paper said "Some organizations are born great, others achieve greatness in the way they approach their mission. RE Sources is a little of both."  Read more in the Cascadia Weekly's Best of Bellingham, page 14.

We think the reason for our greatness is YOU! Thank you so much for making our victories possible.


Waterkeeper Alliance member

http://www.re-sources.org/programs/cleanwater/baykeeper
Our North Sound Baykeeper is a member of the Waterkeeper Alliance, an international nonprofit that strengthens and grows a global network of grassroots leaders protecting everyone’s right to clean water. The Waterkeeper Alliance is made up of over 300 organizations and affiliates protecting rivers, lakes and coastal waterways on 6 continents, with a goal of swimmable, drinkable, fishable water everywhere. Learn more.

If you see pollution, report it! Call the Pollution Hotline:  (360) 220-0556.  
Please take photos and be prepared to discuss location and details about the pollution.


Special thanks to our business sponsors and partners who help make our work possible: 


http://www.rdsdisposal.com/
Special thanks to our cornerstone sponsor, Recycling & Disposal Services Inc (RDS), local, privately owned transfer station in Ferndale with progressive waste management practices.




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As a 501(c)(3) organization, RE Sources does not directly or indirectly influence any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office.
RE Sources for Sustainable Communities tax ID number is 91-1243957.