F I D A L G O   B E   W I L D

-an email newsletter-
Fidalgo Backyard Wildlife Habitat project: fostering a community living in harmony with nature.

--Feel free to forward, copy, use this material in any way that will help to spread the word about the backyard wildlife habitat project--
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April 9, 2008
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c o n t e n t s
----COMING EVENTS
----PROGRESS
----CERTIFICATION APPEAL
----NATIVE PLANT SALES
----GARDEN SPOT SPACE AVAILABLE
----BEAT THE HEAT MOVIE SERIES
----ANNUAL SWINOMISH EARTH ENHANCEMENT CELEBRATION
----PUGET SOUND VOICES
----2008 KNOW AND GROW GARDENING WORKSHOPS
----BEACH WATCHERS LECTURE SERIES
----NIMS ISLAND, A FAMILY FILM WITH A WILDLIFE CONSERVATION MESSAGE
----SKYLINE BEACH CLUB¹S ANNUAL SKYLINE FLEA MARKET
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COMING EVENTS.

--April 11 and 12, 9am - 1pm....SKY Native Plant Nursery Spring Sale
--April 19.....Annual Swinomish Earth Enhancement Celebration...details below
--April 26.....Salal Native Plant Society annual native plant sale
--May 10....Master Gardeners Plant Sale
--May 21, Wednesday, 7:00, library...²Gardening for Wildlife² presentation by FBWH
--June 28, 2008 -----Fidalgo Wildlife Habitat Yard Tour #3--public tour of habitat yards
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Gov. Gregoire has declared April 22-May 2 as Native Plant Appreciation Week.
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PROGRESS THIS MONTH

Yards certified through the National Wildlife Federation¹s Backyard Wildlife Habitat program in March  = 6 .

Yards certified through the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife¹s Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary program in February and March  =  22.
Number of  yards certified in Shelter Bay and nearby areas (zip 98257) Total = 16.

The total certified backyard wildlife habitat yards for Fidalgo Island 98221  = 405 .
With the addition of Pelican Bay Books, the total of certified businesses = 11.
           __           
500---l      l  <---Our goal: 500 yards certified by August 2008
450---l      l
400---l== l <---March 2008........(405)
350---lXXl <---Sept. 2007
300---lXXl <---July 2007
250---lXXl <---May 2007
200---lXXl <---Dec. 2006
150---lXXl <---July 2006
100---lXXl <---April 2006
..50---lXXl <---Sept. 2005
....0---lXXl

NEWLY CERTIFIED YARDS ON FIDALGO ISLAND
Congratulations to these people:

WDFW February and March 2008

1-- Pat and Bill Rasar..............5-Feb-08.........NWF joint certification
2--Joanna and Tony Idczak .....5-Feb-08......NWF joint certification
3--Joan and Art Fossum .........4-Mar-08
4-- Ken and Kathy Read ..............4-Mar-08  
5-- Curt and Monica Oppel...........4-Mar-08  
6-- Bud and Jackie Anderson ....4-Mar-08
7-- Kevin Green........4-Mar-08 .....Certification name: Pelican Bay Books
8-- Norman Ainslie.... ......4-Mar-08
9-- John and Joan Ockerman ...........4-Mar-08
10-- Patricia Youngman............4-Mar-08
11-- Betsy, Evan and Larissa Greives......4-Mar-08
12-- Wesley and Vivian Anderson...........4-Mar-08
13-- Donna G Davidson.... .19 Mar-08....NWF joint certification
14-- Anne Casperson........19-Mar-08... NWF joint certification
15 -- Jonathan Hanson..........19-Mar-08......NWF joint certification
16-- Shirley Morlan ...................24-Mar-08
17-- Robert Bunch ........... ......24-Mar-08
18-- Kerry and Martha Hayes ..........24-Mar-08
19-- June L Bellmer ..............24-Mar-08
20-- Anne M Casperson .........25-Mar-08
21-- Sheryl Laprade ... ..........25-Mar-08
22--Allen and Kathi Jett .... ......25-Mar-08  
23-- Nicole Degn.......25-Mar-08.....Certification Name = Degn Family....NWF joint cert.
24-- Jerry and Joanna Olmstead ....25-Mar-08

NWF
March 2008
.............name........................certification #
1--Ann and John Bowman......98176                                    
2--Anne Casperson ......98264                         
3--Donna G Davidson .......98177                                    
4--Nicole Degn  ..........98424                    
5--Jonathan Hanson .........98272                                     
6--Barbara Jackson ......... 98286                        

98257...none
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CERTIFICATION APPEAL----WORKING TOGETHER TO REACH OUR GOAL OF CERTIFYING 500 YARDS ON FIDALGO ISLAND BY THE END OF AUGUST 2008

One of our goals is to reach 500 certified yards by the end of August of this year.  At that time we are hoping (and planning) on celebrating Fidalgo Island/Anacortes becoming a Wildlife Habitat Community through the National Wildlife Federation¹s Community Wildlife Habitat program.

We need 95 more certified yards by August.  
During March--August of last year we certified approximately 110 yards.  
We can do it!  
Please help us spread the word.
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NATIVE PLANT SALES

The SKY Native Plant Nursery will be holding its Annual Spring Plant Sale this year on Friday and Saturday, April 11-12 from 9am - 1pm.  We will be offering a 20% discount on all retail sales, and an additional 10% discount to all PNTA (Pacific Northwest Trail Assoc.) members.  
SKY Native Plant Nursery Spring Sale
April 11-12, 9am - 1pm
14713 South Riverbend Rd
Mount Vernon, WA
(0.7 miles West of Blade Chevrolet)

Saturday, April 26, 2008, from 10 am to 1 pm....The WNPS Salal Chapter¹s 9th annual spring sale will be held on at the Native Plant Garden area of the Skagit Display Gardens located at WSU-NWREC (16650 state highway 536) near Mount Vernon.  Expect to find a good selection of native trees, scrubs, perennials, ground covers and ferns.

May 10......Master Gardeners Plant Sale at the Skagit Display Gardens
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GARDEN SPOT ANNOUNCEMENT

If you are interested in gardening but don¹t have any space; and if you live near the Dewey Beach area, you can contact Lanny Bergner (299-0514) to reserve gardening space at The Garden Spot.  Free, in return for one or two times mowing the grass in  parking and walking areas.  The Garden Spot is located on Deception Rd just south of the Shrimp Shack.  
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BEAT THE HEAT MOVIE SERIES

Beat the Heat April Matinee: "Too Hot Not to Handle"
This HBO documentary on the effects of global warming in the United States features leading scientists in the field, and shows the positive actions that businesses, local governments, and citizens are taking now to reduce global warming emissions.

1 P.M., Thursday, April 24 at Fidalgo Center, 1701 22nd St, Anacortes. Free admission and popcorn.

Next matinee May 22, 2008: TBA.

-----Kristi Hein   360-293-8476
for Beat the Heat Public Awareness Committee
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ANNUAL SWINOMISH EARTH ENHANCEMENT CELEBRATION,  A WONDERFUL WAY TO CELEBRATE EARTH DAY, PROVIDE SERVICE, SHARE A MEAL AND GET TO KNOW MORE PEOPLE

You¹re invited to the 6th Annual Swinomish Earth Enhancement Celebration!
Saturday, April 19th, 9AM-4PM
Swinomish Community Center 17275 Reservation Road, Swinomish Indian Tribal Community

Join the Swinomish Tribal Community, People For Puget Sound and Skagit County Public Works in celebrating Earth Day 2008 with a rewarding day full of activities!

Help with restoration projects, including picking up debris along the beach, tree planting, yard maintenance at several elders homes, and removing english ivy.
Enjoy eating a delicious salmon lunch, for all volunteers, prepared by members of the Swinomish Tribal Community
Learn about environmental resources in Skagit County from over 25 resource organizations!
Listen to traditional music –a dance/drum group from Swinomish:  Eagle Heart, and special guests Peter Ali, a flutist and Swil Kanim, a violinist and storyteller.
Participate in craft projects and meet artists from the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community

NEW THIS YEAR- Come Ride With Skagit Transit to Swinomish Earth Day for FREE!  Take a bus from locations in Anacortes, March Point, Sedro Woolley, Burlington and Mount Vernon.  For free bus tickets and times, contact Britta Escheté at 360-336-1931 or beschete@pugetsound.org Learn about the benefits of public bus transportation options here in Skagit County at www.skat.org

Advanced registration also requested... So we know how much food to prepare!  This is a free and family-friendly event –to pre-register, contact Britta Escheté at 360-336-1931 or beschete@pugetsound.org or Kaia Smith, 360-420-9177 or ksmith@swinomish.nsn.us

Special thanks to the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, Puget Sound Energy and Skagit Transit for their financial support of this event.


Britta Escheté, North Sound Education Coordinator
People For Puget Sound
407 Main Street #201, Mount Vernon WA 98273
PHONE- 360-336-1931

Join People For Puget Sound today at www.pugetsound.org
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PUGET SOUND VOICES

Listen to PUGET SOUND VOICES, a new program focused on environmental news, events and opportunities throughout the Puget Sound Watershed.  Tune in on Tuesdays at 5PM to 91.7FM or listen live at ksvr.org or listen to archived programs at www.pugetsound.org
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WASHINGTON NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY AND FRIENDS OF WASHINGTON PARK NATURE WALKS

WASHINGTON NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY
ANACORTES PARKS AND RECREATION
PLANT WALKS SCHEDULE
TUESDAYS, APRIL 15 THROUGH MAY 27 2008
10 a.m. to noon, usually

April 15---Anacortes Community Forest Lands. Meet at the west end of  
29th Street by the green water tower. Woods and open meadows, maybe  
some pond edges. Some hill. Moderate.

April 22---Bowman's Bay at Deception Pass State Park. Meet in the  
Bowman's Bay parking lot across from Pass Lake on the north side of  
the bridge. Beach, woods and rocky headland. Some hill. Celebrate  
Earth Day in the woods. Moderate..

April 29---Sharpe County Park. Entrance is off Rosario Road just  
south of Sharpe Road. Pond, woods rich with mosses and lichens and  
open bluffs. Easy. Moderate if go to the bluffs.

May 6---Goose Rock in Deception Pass State Park. Meet in the parking  
lot at the south end of the bridge. Woods and open bluffs full of  
spring flowers. Some hill. Moderate.

May 13---Mount Erie. Meet at the parking lot on the top of Mount
Erie. Entrance is off Heart Lake Road just south of Heart Lake.  
Elevation is 1000 feet above the other walk areas and affects the  
plant life. Access to spectacular views is paved. Easy.

May 20---Washington Park. A return visit. The park should be in full  
bloom. Meet in the parking lot by the rest room. Easy.

May 27---Cranberry Lake in Deception Pass State Park. Meet near the  
vending stands and restrooms
on the west side of the lake. Backshore, dunes and other habitat.
Easy. Bring a  lunch to enjoy later on the beach.

Information---Call Harold Mitchell, 293-0405

FRIENDS OF WASHINGTON PARK has scheduled a series of walks to be held  
in the park in the coming months. The  walks will be on Saturdays,  
from 10 to 12, starting at the new rest room at the start of the loop  
road.

April 19  Birds of the forest and open water as seen from the North  
side of  the park. Led by Joe Halton, local birder and bird class  
instructor.

May 10 Wildflowers of the park. Near the Havekost Monument there  
should be leftovers of the early bloomers and on the slope below  
Burrows Overlook later ones such as blue and white camas and nodding  
onions.  Led by Susan Alaynick, president of the local chapter of  
Washington Native Plant Society.
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2008 KNOW AND GROW GARDENING WORKSHOPS

Free Home Gardening Workshops at the WSU-Mount Vernon Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center Auditorium
16602 State Route 536 (Memorial Highway)

WSU Skagit County Extension Master Gardeners in partnership with WSU NWREC present:

Tuesday, April 17, 1:00 pm 2:30 pm Growing Dahlias Made Easy

Dahlias are a favorite among Northwest gardeners. With more than 50,000 registered varieties in 570 classes, it can be a challenge to know how to choose, cultivate, and harvest these varied and beautiful flowers. This workshop unravels dahlia myths and provides down-to-earth answers to commonly asked questions about planting, propagating, and disease control. John Willson, Swede Hill Dahlia and Sunflower Farm.
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Tuesday, May 20, 1:00 pm 2:30 pm A Step-by-Step Guide to Diagnosing Plant Diseases

A step-by-step procedure to put home gardeners on the trail of plant killers and a list of resources to turn to when it¹s time to call in the experts. WSU Plant Pathologist Lindsey du Toit and WSU Skagit County Extension Master Gardener Diana Wisen.
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Tuesday, June 17, 1:00 pm 2:30 pm What¹s That Insect and What¹s It Doing in My Garden?

This workshop explains the concept of biological control, ways to distinguish beneficials from pests, and practical methods for attracting beneficials to home gardens and keeping them there. Entomologist and WSU Research Associate Dr. Beverly Gerdeman and the WSU Skagit County Extension Master Gardener Insect Collection.
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Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis

For more information, visit www.skagit.wsu.edu/mg

------------Britt Shellenberger
Master Gardener Coordinator
WSU Skagit County Extension
(360) 428-4270 ext. 227
britts@co.skagit.wa.us
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BEACH WATCHERS LECTURE SERIES

The Skagit County Beach Watchers invite you to attend the 2008 Lecture Series with expert speakers delivering presentations on topics related to our marine environment and coastal habitats.  All lectures are free to the public and open to all ages.  
For more information contact:  Betty Carteret  (360) 299 -8553 sydster2@wavecable.com

Get our your calendar and mark down the ones you don¹t want to miss.

2008 Beach Watchers Lecture Series

Spring Lectures
Anacortes Library

April 11, 7:00 pm...Puget Sound Initiative:  Toxics Cleanup in Fidalgo and Padilla Bays
.............Sandra Caldwell, Project Lead, WA DOE Toxics Program

Come learn about proposed measures planned under the Puget Sound Initiative to remove toxic contaminants in Fidalgo and Padilla Bays.  Sandra Caldwell Department of Ecology Project Lead for this restoration project will discuss plans for the project and solicit community input on priorities for cleanup and restoration work in these local marine habitats.


May 16 ,7:00 pm.........Coastal Upwelling and Dead Zones:  The Study of Hypoxia Off       
Washington¹s Pacific Coast
............Tom Connelly, Graduate Research Assistant, University of Washington School of Oceanography

Skagit Valley Food Coop, Mt. Vernon, WA

April 22, 6:30 pm........The Magic Skagit:  A River of Life for Wildlife and People
.........Bob Carey, Skagit River Program Director The Nature Conservancy of Washington

Home to glaciated peaks, wide ranging carnivores, world-famous eagle concentrations, the largest salmon runs in Puget Sound, and enormous flocks of waterfowl and shorebirds, the Skagit is one of the most magical landscapes in the country.  In addition to providing homes for these majestic wildlife assemblages, the Skagit River created and supports the conditions that provide our human community a wonderful quality of life, scenic vistas, diverse recreation opportunities, fertile soils, scrumptious seafood, and clean water.  Past land use decisions have compromised these values.  As the region faces continued population pressures, our ability to maintain our quality of life is contingent on our ability to understand and reconcile the connection we have to the river.  Come learn some of the reasons this place is called the Magic Skagit and what a vision for the future might look like if we thought holistically about the river and our quality of life.


Padilla Bay Breazeale Interpretive Center, 10441 Bayview-Edison Road

May 30, 7:00 pm......Eelgrass Ecosystems:  The Web of Life
....... Jeff Gaeckle, Seagrass Ecologist, Nearshore Habitat Program, WA  Department of Natural Resources
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NIMS ISLAND, A FAMILY FILM WITH A WILDLIFE CONSERVATION MESSAGE

Once again National Wildlife Federation is partnering with Walden Media (makers of Narnia, Charlotte 's Web and Hoot) for the national release of a great family movie, Nim¹s Island, to reach millions with a delightful story, conservation education and opportunities for action to protect wildlife.

Learn more about the film and NWF by going to www.nwf.org/nimsisland.
We hope you enjoy Nim's Island and thank you for supporting National Wildlife Federation.

Sincerely,
Carey Stanton
Sr. Director, Education and Integrated Marketing
National Wildlife Federation
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SKYLINE BEACH CLUB¹S ANNUAL SKYLINE FLEA MARKET
Saturday April 12, 2008
SBC Clubhouse
9AM-2PM

Please come support the Skyline Garden Club.  We'll have a table set up with proceeds going to the garden club.

If you have items to donate, please bring them to the Skyline Beach Club on Friday April 11th between 1 pm and 4 pm.

Any questions, please call Sheila Pringle 293-3492

Editor¹s note: The Skyline Garden Club has been very supportive of the FBWH project.  Over 50 yards have been certified in Skyline with more to come.
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--Rich Bergner, editor of this email newsletter

contact information:
Fidalgo Backyard Wildlife Habitat project
15515 Yokeko Drive
Anacortes, WA 98221
FidalgoWildlifeHabitat@gmail.com
299-2579
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