At the annual Cherry Point Science Forum, community members of all ages and experience levels will hear from scientists about the latest research happening Cherry Point — and the Salish Sea at large — focused on the impacts of climate change in this region. The forum is 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 9, at Bellingham Technical College, Building G, Room 102J, 3028 Lindbergh Ave. This free, all-ages event is hosted by the Cherry Point Aquatic Reserve Citizen Stewardship Committee, RE Sources, and the Department of Natural Resources.
This year’s forum will include speakers presenting on the importance of bull kelp, the role of citizen scientists, how to talk about climate change, marine birds, forage fish and more.
Located in Whatcom County, the Cherry Point Aquatic Reserve is one of eight Aquatic Reserves in the state. Established by the Department of Natural Resources on state-owned aquatic lands in Puget Sound, Aquatic Reserves include important biodiversity and aquatic habitat critical to Salish Sea health.
Cherry Point Forum speakers and topics are:
- Communicating Clearly and Effectively about Climate Change Causes and Effects — Susan Wood, Education Coordinator, Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
- Puget Sound Kelp in a Changing Climate: Trends, Stressors and Recovery Efforts — Max Calloway, Puget Sound Restoration Fund
- Forage Fish and their Role in the Southern Salish Sea — Todd Sandell, PhD – Senior Forage Fish Biologist, Puget Sound Marine Fish Science Unit
- Crabs, climate, and community concern: volunteer invasive species monitoring in a changing Salish Sea — P. Sean McDonald, University of Washington Program on the Environment
RE Sources and the DNR provide staff support to the volunteer-led stewardship committee.
The Cherry Point Science Forum is free and open to the public. Coffee and tea is provided, and attendees can either bring $5 for pizza or their own sack lunch. Participants are encouraged to help make this a waste-free event by bringing their own coffee mug and plate/utensils.
To RSVP and see descriptions of the presentations, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/771425889978075/.
For more information or to RSVP (encouraged but not required), contact Eleanor Hines at EleanorH@re-sources.org or 360-733-8307 x213.
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The Cherry Point Aquatic Reserve Citizen Stewardship Committee formed to increase public awareness and enjoyment of the Aquatic Reserve and assist DNR’s Aquatic Reserve Program to successfully implement the Aquatic Reserve’s management plan. The committee conducts scientific monitoring projects, performs education and outreach activities, and monitors actions in and around the reserve that may impact the ecosystem. For more information, visit aquaticreserves.org.
Washington State Department of Natural Resources established the Aquatic Reserves Program promotes the preservation, restoration, and enhancement of state-owned aquatic lands that are of special educational, scientific, or environmental interest. For more information, visit dnr.wa.gov.
