Newsletter

Winter 2001

Pacific Rim Community Program: Summer 2001 Update
By Sheilagh C. Byler

The 2001 Summer Community Program was kicked off with a Spring Prairie Celebration in the beginning of May. Over 100 people attended on this warm and sunny day to catch sight of camas lily, chocolate lily, western buttercup, and spring gold flowers.

Prairie restoration has been the focus of our environmental education for school-aged children. In May and June, a total of 120 students from Whidbey elementary, middle, and high schools visited the Smith Prairie Reserve. It was a joy to sit with groups of kids in the grass identifying prairie plants and making field journal observations.

Adults also had opportunity to learn about prairie restoration and the cultural significance of prairie areas to the first Puget Sound peoples. A Prairie Restoration Workshop led by Archeologist Dr. Gary Wesson, Swinomish Tribal Leader Larry Campbell, and Ecologists Maryanne Edain and Steve Byler was a great success.

Local people interested and involved in citizen watershed protection attended a Water Quality Monitoring Workshop co-sponsored by Au Sable and the Maxwelton Salmon Adventure, a local non-profit salmon habitat restoration and education group. Dr. Bill Deutsch, faculty for Au Sable's summer academic program and Manager of Alabama Water Watch, led the workshop.

Summer teaching faculty - Dr. Joe Sheldon, Dr. Dave Foster, Beth Horvath, and Tom Hillman - led field trips for the community. They explored tide pools, bogs, prairies, forests, and coastal bluffs in search of the plants and animals and processes unique to Whidbey Island. Locals were appreciative of this chance to have a taste of the academic teaching environment at Au Sable Institute.

Participants of an Earthkeeping Theology Workshop appreciated the opportunity to discuss the relationship of their faith and environmental concerns. This workshop was held at the Pacific Rim Campus and was led by Dr. Peter Bakken, Au Sable's Research Fellow.

Broad community support is crucial for the development of Au Sable-Pacific Rim on Whidbey Island. Our Community Programs are working towards developing this support and reaching many groups of people with diverse interests and backgrounds.

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