...supports environmentally sustainable ways of life

Friends of Fox Creek receives grant to improve fish habitat

News

Last Updated on Saturday, 21 August 2010 17:18

Friends of Fox Creek, an all volunteer organization with whom WHAS has partnered on projects, has been awarded a $46,000 grant from Oregon Fish and Wildlife to improve Fox Creek fish habitat by adding large, woody debris.  Read more here about the efforts in Rainier, OR.

Update on Cooper Island

Other Issues

Last Updated on Sunday, 08 August 2010 19:43

We have received an update from George Divoky, our favorite arctic scientist. He writes from Cooper Island while conducting his continuing research on the Black Guillimot colony on Cooper Island. George invites you to go to his links to learn more about what is going on this summer.

"Yesterday brought the first major surprise of the summer when I found a recently hatched Glaucous Gull chick - a first for Cooper Island. Guillemot chicks are also hatching and I will be busy in the next week getting dates of hatching for the 146 active guillemot nests.

This has been a cooler and wetter summer than most recent ones and much ice is still visible from the island, unlike last year when there was only open water by this date. Check out our blog www.adventures-in-climate-change.com and/or website www.cooperisland.org for more information and check back during August to see how the ice retreat affects the guillemots and polar bears. Have a good rest of the summer and thanks much for your interest and support.

George"

If you like to know more about George Divoky and his research on Birds and what influence Climate Change has on the Guillimot watch this amazing video:

Hummingbirds

News

Last Updated on Thursday, 29 July 2010 20:44

Check out this PBS Nature Video about Hummingbirds.

Leadbetter "First Saturday"

Volunteer Opportunities

Last Updated on Sunday, 20 June 2010 10:06

Come join Friends of Willapa Refuge on Saturday, July 3, at the Leadbetter Unit of Willapa NWR for some trail work! This is the July production of "First Saturday" volunteer programs where Friends members and the public are invited to "get hands dirty" in support of the Refuge. For this July 3, they extend a special invite to all non-local Friends members who will be visiting the Peninsula for the holiday weekend! All ages and abilities are welcome; they've plenty of tasks for everyone's contributions.

They'll meet no later than 9am at the Leadbetter Unit parking lot (main lot, at the far end of Stackpole Road) and be finished by 2pm, latest.

Read more: Leadbetter "First Saturday"

Book Review: Jeff Guidry's "An Eagle Named Freedom"

Book Review

Last Updated on Wednesday, 16 June 2010 10:10

An Eagle Named Freedom, Jeff Guidry, William Marrow, 2010.

When a young eagle, drastically injured with both wings broken, arrived at the Sarvey Wildlife Care Center in northern WA state,  volunteer,Jeff  Guidry, was assigned to her care and keeping.  Over the weeks of rehabilitation, the two of them developed a strong bond and Jeff gave her the name, "Freedom."   As fate would have it, she was not able to fly again, and so she continued to live at the center, and she and Jeff became a team, working together on wildlife educational projects with schools and other organizations.

Guidry and Freedom came to trust and rely on each other in a deep and surprising relationship.  After Freedom's recovery and the two of them had been working together for some time, Jeff was diagnosed with cancer.  As he fought the disease, he continued to visit and work with Freedom.  The relationship gave him courage and comfort, " In trusting that Freedom and I would have a long time together, I'd found the advantage -call it an edge-that I needed beyond even extraordinary human support.  Freedom and I were balanced on that edge."

Read more: Book Review: Jeff Guidry's "An Eagle Named Freedom"

July / August 2010 Whistler is online

News

Last Updated on Wednesday, 16 June 2010 10:30

The July / August 2010 Whistler is available now.

Some of its content:

- WHAS Anual Picnic Invitation
- Member Form and WHAS News
- Bye Bye Northern Star’s Bradwood…
- Birding Bits; Field Trip Report
- Nelson Creek Report, Book Review: Birdology
- Avian Bird Signs Featured on Walk; Beware of Vampires
- Book Review: An Eagle named Freedom; Upcoming Events
- WHAS Programs: Other upcoming events

WHAS Annual Picnic

Programs

Last Updated on Wednesday, 16 June 2010 10:13

This year our annual picnic will be hosted by Mary Steller, a long-time WHAS member, at her house,  in Rosburg, Washington on July, 31.  She has graciously offered to host us this year.

Mary’s place will be a wonderful place for a picnic, as it has beautiful walks for birders, river views, a treehouse, dogs, and donkeys.  Come spend what will be a delightful afternoon, from 1:00 to 4:00. Please bring a dish to share with 6—8 people, and eating ware and chairs for all in your party.  Mary will provide ice tea and water. Please also bring Frisbees, balls, etc., for outside play.

RSVP to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 360-442-2575  by July 24 if you will attend.  We will help coordinate carpools where possible as it is a little over one hour’s drive from the Longview area.

June 19, 2010 is Natural Areas Appreciation Day

Other Issues

On June 19th, the Washington Department of Natural Resources will offer several field outings in celebration of the first annual Natural Areas Appreciation Day. This is a great opportunity for the public to see, experience and learn about some of the most pristine and awe-inspiring landscapes remaining in the Northwest. This event is sponsored by the Pacific Northwest Natural Areas Committee, a group of governmental, and non-profit agencies whose purpose is to promote the recognition, establishment and management of Northwest natural areas. See the below announcement for details about the five outings and please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it at

Read more: June 19, 2010 is Natural Areas Appreciation Day