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Mt Baker from the East Side of Baker Lake
Photo by Ned Vasquez
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In Memory of Bob Aegerter
On March 19 we lost a titan of environmental activism in Whatcom County, with the death of Robert Aegerter. Bob spent many years heavily involved in Mt Baker Group activities and issues, as well as matters affecting the entire Washington State Chapter.
I first met him in early 2017, soon after I arrived in Bellingham. He was a perfect ambassador for Sierra Club; kind, gentle, smart, respectful, a good listener, and a strong advocate for the environment. He was 81 when first we met, but he was instrumental in my becoming involved with MBG, as well as RE Sources and the WRIA 1 (Water Resources Inventory Area # 1) Environmental Caucus. I didn’t know him well, but he made a very strong and lasting impression, and I will remember him always.
If you didn’t know him, or know him well, here’s his obituary for a taste of his many talents and interests: https://www.molesfarewelltributes.com/obituaries/robert-bob-aegerter/
And below are two remembrances from Betsy Gross and Judith Akins, long-time Mt Baker Group members and officers, who knew Bob well and are kind enough to give a personal view of the man.
Rest in peace, Bob.
Rick Eggerth
Bob was a mentor of mine; maybe THE mentor when it came to my development as an environmental activist. My first encounter with him was on a bus taking a bunch of us to Olympia to participate in Environmental Lobby Day. Bob was on the Washington Conservation Voters then, and thus one of the organizers of this event.
Bob spent the entire trip - both ways - chatting with me about all things environmental. He told me the history of the Sierra Club in Whatcom County. He told me his story about how he became an environmentalist. He told me about helpful strategies to get decision makers to pay attention. He made me laugh with lots of anecdotes about events that went awry and inspired me with actions that were successful.
He told me what to expect in Olympia and how to talk with the legislators we were scheduled to meet. He tried to get me to join the Washington Conservation Voters Board, which back then had a Whatcom County chapter.
Bob was exceedingly generous with his time, his expertise, and his wisdom. I learned more from him than anyone about how to be an effective environmental activist. I never saw him irritated or impatient. I never heard him raise his voice, criticize anyone, or look down on others. He was affable, kind, and friendly. He was a truly decent man who made this place better because he lived here. I am glad I knew him.
Betsy Gross
I met Bob just after moving to town in 2012 through the Sierra Club and soon after that I saw him at Artist Point with his wife, Mary Jo. We chatted and he, seeing I was out for a hike, casually mentioned that I could become a Sierra Club outings leader. He connected me to Tom Crisp and, after training, I had the pleasure of leading many SC outings, meeting so many interesting members, some who became lifelong friends.
I was quickly brought into the Mt Baker Group fold and Bob was always present. Soon I was elected chair. He was my mentor, quietly guiding the Group through the many nuisances of SC policy. He would report on all the legislative issues and during session he was frequently found in Olympia testifying.
His other passion was wolves, and he represented SC on the State Wolf Advisory Group. He managed to be a strong influence on this very dichotomous group.
Bob and his wife Mary Jo attended as many MBG meetings as they could before it became too difficult for them. Our Group was stronger and better because of Bob and he is missed.
Judith Akins
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In the Cherry Blossoms
Photo by Ned Vasquez
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Earth Day Events!
Mt Baker Group Gathering
COME TO OUR WELCOME-TO-SPRING SOCIAL!
Hey, you're invited to a party! Our "Welcome to Spring!" social is at 5:00 PM on Earth Day, April 22, at Structures Brewing, 601 W. Holly Street in Bellingham. Structures has a great back room that we will have all to ourselves, and your first beverage is on us! (Beverages after that, and food, are on you.)
Joining us will be 40th District State Sen. Liz Lovelett and State Rep. Alex Ramel to give highlights of the recently concluded legislative session, upcoming items of note, and answers to your questions. We'll also be inviting local elected officials to come and share a brew with us.
So come socialize with your fellow Sierra Clubbers and elected representatives, learn about what's going on in the Mt Baker Group, and have a great time -- all in one!
Please click the button below to register and check in for yourself and those in your party so we know how many to expect. Thanks!
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Sacred Earth Fair
The Multifaith Network for Climate Justice is hosting the Sacred Earth Fair on April 20, 1:00 - 4:00 PM, at the First Congregational Church of Bellingham at 2401 Cornwall Ave. Take advantage of multiple tables (including your Mt Baker Group!) and speakers to learn about a variety of environmental topics.
Click the button below and scroll down for details!
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Earth Day Orcas 2024!
The San Juan Makers Guild is hosting multiple Earth Day events on April 19 and 20 on Orcas Island. Enjoy art, music, dance, poetry, films, and a Procession of the Species Parade!
Click the button below for details!
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San Juan Island Great Beach Cleanup
Friends of the San Juans is leading the Great Beach Cleanup on Jackson Beach, San Juan Island on April 20.
Click the button below to register!
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Earth Day Poetry Tribute
In honor of Earth Day and National Poetry Month, Lopez Library is celebrating with a poetic tribute to and about the earth with an online selection of poems from around the island, around the world, and "From One Island to Another."
Click the button below for more information!
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Dewdrop on Clover
Photo by Ned Vasquez
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The Trouble With Wolves
Our good friends at The Pickford Film Center in Bellingham are partnering with Wolf Haven International for a one-time screening of The Trouble With Wolves on Sunday, April 14 at 1:00 PM.
This 2023 update of the original 2018 film explores the complex and often controversial relationship between wolves and humans in the American West. It will be followed by a 30-minute discussion about the film led by Geoff of Wolf Haven International! If that isn't cool enough, half the ticket proceeds go to Wolf Haven (the rest going to The Pickford).
If you want to attend, click the button below for advance tickets.
And stop by to say "hi" to us as we table before and after the film.
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Bellingham Metal Recycling Operation Closing
From The Port of Bellingham...
On March 25, the Port of Bellingham announced that it had approved a lease termination agreement that will permanently shut down the ABC Recyling operations on Bellingham’s waterfront.
The termination resulted from ongoing concerns about ABC’s ability to comply with the terms of their lease, especially environmental standards.
ABC Recycling has until June 30, 2024 to remove all scrap metal from the waterfront. The metal will be loaded onto two cargo vessels and the Port will enforce enhanced environmental measures to protect water quality.
From the perspective of the Mt Baker Group, this is a win for our waterfront and the adjacent neighborhoods!
It is unclear at this time how this decision will affect the planned ABC metal shredding plant, to be located just north of the Bellingham city limits. That project is currently in the pre-application phase of the permitting process.
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A Beautiful Early Sign of Spring
Photo by Ned Vasquez
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Wildlife Updates
Grizzly Restoration EIS
Grizzlies are one step closer to returning to the North Cascades!
On March 21, the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released the final environmental impact statement and grizzly bear reintroduction plan. This is the next step towards restoring grizzlies to the North Cascades.
Under the preferred alternative, agency biologists would translocate bears from healthy source populations into the North Cascades over several years until an initial population of 25 is reached.
Public feedback played a key role in the development of the final EIS. During the 45-day public comment period for the draft document in fall of 2023, over 12,000 public comments were received. In addition, hundreds of individuals provided input at public meetings across the region. Many thanks to those who participated!
More information is available by clicking the button below.
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Legislative Wins for Wildlife
Washington wildlife benefited from the 2024 legislative session!
SJR 8208, the “right-to-hunt” constitutional amendment, failed to reach the Senate floor. This amendment would have prevented Washingtonians from influencing wildlife policy through ballot initiatives, hindered measures designed to protect biodiversity, and permanently protected cruel and ecologically destructive trapping, hunting, and fishing practices.
The Senate Agriculture Committee declined to act on SB 5939, the wolf baiting bill, which would have allowed livestock owners to shoot the first wolf visiting the site of a livestock predation.
The House Agriculture Committee did not call a vote on HB 2423, which would have allowed livestock owners and local officials to create a “regional management plan” to remove state protections for wolves in northeast Washington.
And...$224,000 was allocated in the state budget to fund "bear wise" programs, helping Washington communities prevent conflicts with black bears.
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Where's My Sunshine?
Photo by Ned Vasquez
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Practicing Conservation at Home
Get Help with Conservation on Your Own Land!
If you're an agricultural or residential land owner in Whatcom County, you can benefit from the amazing, free resources of the Whatcom County Conservation District.
Learn what's available by clicking the button below and then clicking "Archived Video Recording":
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From Poop to Policy
What can feces tell us about the health of the endangered southern resident killer whales?
Despite being one of the eight most endangered species on the Endangered Species List, and one of the most studied populations of animals on the planet, the Southern Resident killer whales continue to decline.
Dr. Deborah Giles, of Wild Orca, provides an overview of her on-the-water, non-invasive research collecting and analyzing orca fecal samples, detected by her canine companion! The samples provide real-time data that can be used to understand and address the causes of population decline.
Click the button below and learn more!
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Old Growth Cedar on the East Side of Baker Lake
Photo by Ned Vasquez
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Recommended Hikes from the Skagit Land Trust
If you are itching to get out on the trails this spring, the Skagit Land Trust staff has compiled a great list of hikes throughout our region that include all three of the Mt Baker Group counties.
Click the button below to access the list!
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Mother Tree & Baby Gazing Upon Mt Baker
Photo by Ned Vasquez
"In nature, nothing exists alone."
Rachel Carson
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