We promote sustainable communities and protect the health of northwestern Washington's people and ecosystems through application of science, education, advocacy, and action. Our vision is to see people living satisfying lives in accord with the ecosystem we depend on — generation after generation. Join us. PROTECT. ACTIVATE. INNOVATE. THRIVE. Powered by you.
Sorting It Out: How we're learning about trash to combat pollution RE Sources and partners, along with some intrepid volunteers, are at the forefront of testing out effective, easy-to-use methods of better understanding what types of trash are polluting which oceans and beaches, to better inform local efforts to curb plastic pollution.
Bellingham’s waterfront: New public spaces, new hope for orcasDid 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.
What's next after I-1631?
We are disappointed that I-1631 did not pass in November, but RE Sources and the diverse, broad coalition backing the bill are not giving up on creating healthier communities and a stronger economy for all in Washington.
A message from the campaign team:
"What this campaign has shown is you can bring diverse voices, from every corner of our state together around a common solution. Despite the most money spent in our state's election history and an unprecedented mis-information campaign from out-of-state oil companies, Washingtonians took an other step forward towards solving this challenge. We were not successful in passing this initiative but this coalition of tribal nations, communities of color, health professionals, environmental and clean energy advocates, labor unions, businesses, and faith leaders stands ready to continue this fight. The solution may change but our values and goals remain the same. We will continue to center the voices of those most impacted by pollution and work for a just transition for communities in our state so that everyone can share in a clean energy future.
The growing problem of climate change will only get worse the longer we delay solutions. This issue is not going away and neither are we. We stand ready to fight in next year's legislature and beyond, together."
Balancing Water Supply DemandsWhatcom 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.
Sustainable AgricultureWe are committed to protecting clean water in Whatcom County and the Salish Sea and have made meaningful progress, but fertilizer and manure running off factory farms is still a major problem. One of the core recommendations in the 2017 State of the Sound report is “Require best practices for agriculture to ensure abundant local food, a thriving economy and clean safe water while avoiding risks to native species such as pacific salmon and shellfish.” That is why we’ve joined food safety and environmental groups to fight for common-sense standards to limit agricultural pollution. Read more.
It takes a team effort to keep Whatcom County’s water cleanIn 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.
Joint Statement on Washington CAFO Permit Appeal Settlement NegotiationsIn August 2017, RE Sources and six other social and environmental organizations reached out to the Dairy Federation and Farm Bureau to suggest a 5-month period to negotiate a resolution to both parties' appeals of the Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) General Permit (a state-mandated pollution discharge permit for livestock farms that confine animals). Both RE Sources and the Ag Industry had appealed the permit in 2017. In their appeal, the six social and environmental organizations had asked for measures (based on best-available science) to protect local ground and surface water proven by Ecology and other scientists to be contaminated by fecal coliform and nitrates — contaminants destructive to fish populations and harmful to human health.
"During this negotiation period, we remain hopeful that we can come to an agreement that protects our community and environment, while offering local industrial agriculture operations the measures they need to update outdated, high-risk systems. The only way we are going to solve this community-wide threat to clean water is if we work together." — Crina Hoyer, RE Sources Executive Director
Clean Water Act — 45th anniversaryThere are few things more fundamental to our health and well-being than clean water. We just celebrated the 45th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, a law designed to protect all of our waters from pollution and destruction. Read more about the Clean Water Act, it's significance, and how it's under attack. Especially in the case of large, industrial pollution with little accountability, the Clean Water Act provides a safety net for citizens to stand up to those compromising public waters — no matter how big the polluter. When education, cooperation, and policy enforcement fail to protect our water resources, the North Sound Baykeeper turns to the Clean Water Act. And when we win a Clean Water Act suit against a polluter, we never see any money from that case. Read more about what happens to Clean Water Act settlement funds. Voted best nonprofit in BellinghamRE 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 memberOur 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:
Thanks to the Mountaineers Foundation for awarding the 2017 Paul Wiseman Conservation Education Grant to RE Sources. This generous funding will be used to support our Young Water Stewards Program.
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. |
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