Category: Events

Over the last two weeks, Island County Planning Department held a series on three Stakeholder Workshops to discuss the Climate Resiliency Sub Element for the Comprehensive Plan. Stakeholders from a variety of organizations and industries were invited to participate in the workshops, including environmental groups, builders, tribes, social services, NAS Whidbey, and economic development. The public was invited to listen in and observe the workshops; there will be a chance for the public to provide written comments to inform the process. Randi Perry and John Lovie represented Whidbey Island Water Systems Association at these workshops.

Watch the recordings of the Climate Workshops below:

• Sea Level Rise
• Changing Precipitation
• Heat

Now is your opportunity to add your comments. Scroll through the Island County Climate Element Resiliency Explorer StoryMap to learn more about the Climate Element work done to date. Then head to the public engagement page Island County 2045 – Planning for Our Future | Engage Island County, take a look at the comments already submitted under climate, and “like” them if you agree. You can go on to add your own comments.

Whidbey’s Water Future In a Changing Climate – Whidbey Earth & Ocean Month (whidbeyearthday.org)

DETAILS

Date: April 23 Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Cost: Free Event Categories: Activities & Gatherings, Sip & Science, Water

VENUE

Cosmic Veggies 661 SE Fidalgo Ave
Oak Harbor, WA 98277 United States + Google Map Phone (360) 246-4940

As seas rise and rainfall patterns change, will there be enough drinking water to support our current needs and accommodate future growth?

Sea level rise projections are estimating around two feet of sea level rise by 2050, making a flood like that in December 2022 a regular occurrence, placing some of our shoreline communities underwater and some wells unusable due to sea water intrusion. How will this affect water availability and use?

Rainfall patterns are predicted to change over the same period, with more intense rainfall in the winter and hotter, drier summers. How will this affect aquifer recharge and irrigation needs?

At the same time, the county is preparing for an additional 15,000 residents. Where will they live, and will there be enough drinking water?

We’ll attempt to answer these questions and identify areas for further study.

John Lovie is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Washington State Office of Drinking Water. He is a past president of Whidbey Island Water Systems Association. John remains engaged in drinking water issues throughout the state. John also received the Island County Jan Holmes Coastal Volunteer of the Year Award for 2023, and continues to be engaged in ecosystem and salmon recovery and climate change issues around Puget Sound.

A 12 year resident of Whidbey, John enjoys hiking, biking, kayaking, and swimming on and around the island, and writing and speaking about his experiences.

Sip Science added to ample Earth Month lineup | South Whidbey Record

Farmers Forum — Whidbey Island Grown Cooperative

Join us for the second annual Whidbey Farmer’s Forum, hosted and sponsored by Organic Farm School and Whidbey Island Grown. The forum will include class session, with multiple class options per time slot, mid-day panels, and a happy hour at 4:30pm. Please bring a sack lunch. Some of the class spaces are unheated, so please bring layers!

Cost will be $25 to help cover costs of speakers’ travel.

Class registration is open now! Read class descriptions below and sign up to reserve your seat. Classroom space is limited in some cases. If you have questions, please contact us at shannon@whidbeyislandgrown.com and judy@organicfarmschool.org.