The Squalicum Clean Water Project educates dog owners about the impact of dog poop in the Squalicum Watershed.
This summer, the Clean Water program at RE Sources for Sustainable Communities launched the Squalicum Clean Water Project, a campaign that monitors water quality and educates community members about how they can help prevent fecal coliform pollution in the Squalicum Watershed by picking up and properly disposing of dog poop.
Fecal coliform bacteria, an indicator of mammal or bird poop in the water, are found in many of Whatcom County’s creeks, lakes, and beaches. It indicates the likely presence of other disease-causing organisms including roundworms, E. coli, and more. When water is polluted with fecal coliform, contact with the water or eating shellfish can make you sick.
To reach out to dog owners who may not realize the harmful impact of their dog’s poop on the environment, RE Sources is hosting Poop Patrols in parks in the Squalicum Watershed.
Recent Poop Patrols have highlighted a staggering problem: On June 18th, at the off-leash dog park at Squalicum Park, volunteers flagged 100 piles of dog poop. And on June 21st, in the field at Little Squalicum Park, volunteers flagged 150 piles of poop.
Poop Patrol volunteers flag dog poop piles left behind to illustrate the widespread problem of poor poop pickup practices, and help community members understand the importance of picking up, bagging, and throwing dog poop in the trash — wherever they are.
Volunteers are still being recruited to help spread the word about the Squalicum Clean Water Project. Email EleanorH@re-sources.org or call 360-733-8307 x213 to sign up.
Upcoming Poop Patrols (all events are 4:30-6:30PM):
- Thursday, August 18th: Squalicum Dog Park, 1001 Squalicum Way, Bellingham
- Friday, August 19th: Little Squalicum Park, Marine Dr and W Illinois St, Bellingham
- Thursday, August 25th: Squalicum Dog Park, 1001 Squalicum Way, Bellingham
- Friday, August 26th: Cornwall Park, 3424 Meridian St, Bellingham