Birchwood Neighborhood Watershed Walk: May 12, 2012

[David MacLeod]

Birchwood Neighborhood Watershed Walk – May 12 at 10am

Are you curious about where the water in your neighborhood flows? Are you motivated to reduce pollution in your local waterways? Did you know that you can take direct action on your own property and in your daily actions to ensure that cleaner water flows into Puget Sound? Join staff from RE Sources North Sound Baykeeper Team, City of Bellingham Public Works, and Bellingham Technical College to find out how!

You are invited to a walking tour of the Birchwood Watershed on Saturday, May 12^th at 10:00am. Meet at Bellingham Technical College in front of G building. We will explore portions of the Birchwood neighborhood, stopping to view green infrastructure features, then we will tour new green infrastructure on BTC campus. The walk will last for approximately 2 hours, ending with a treat of cookies and refreshments at BTC.

On this tour, you will:

-- See what’s under a City of Bellingham storm drain manhole cover and find out where the stormwater goes.
-- Become familiar with low impact development techniques such as rain barrels, rain gardens, and permeable pavers.
-- Learn how changes in your daily actions can improve water quality.
-- Listen to property owners share their experiences with the green infrastructure features they have installed.

-- Learn how Bellingham Technical College manages stormwater contributions to Little Squalicum Creek.
-- Have access to free brochures and a list of resources offering more technical information about low impact development and stormwater management.

Everyone is welcome. Be prepared for rain or shine…but remember that this is a watershed, so if it is raining we will have an even better opportunity to see how it works!

For more information, please contact Lee First, Pollution Prevention Specialist, at [phone] or [e-mail].