News - Local News

POSTED: Thursday, Apr. 16, 2009

Six in Bellingham honored as environmental heroes

BELLINGHAM - They've worked to protect salmon and get more people on bicycles. They've helped conserve thousands of acres in Whatcom County for wildlife habitat, defended environmental laws and worked behind the scenes to educate people about eco-living.

For their efforts, six Bellingham residents will be honored as environmental heroes by Bellingham-based RE Sources for Sustainable Communities during an award ceremony April 25.

Organizers of the 2009 awards said those selected were picked partly because their efforts to care for the planet began in the backyard that is their community.

"Because of the shift in the economy, people are rethinking how to do business by strengthening community and deepening their involvement," said Megan Artz, RE Sources membership and outreach coordinator.

"These heroes are the role models through their focus on the environment combined with strong social ties," Artz said.

RE Sources is an environmental education and advocacy nonprofit.

The 2009 environmental heroes, and what they've done to earn the recognition, are:

David MacLeod, for his behind-the-scenes and quiet efforts to educate the community about eco living. Those included playing a key role in an environmental education group, Sustainable Bellingham, and through organizing films and discussions.

MacLeod is credited with pushing for community talks about energy use and reliance on fossil fuel, including Peak Oil. He also is involved in starting Transition Whatcom, described as an initiative to help the community learn about climate change and how to prepare for the time when dwindling oil supplies mean less fuel will be available.

Mike and Elaine McRory, for the more than 25 years the couple has dedicated to stream restoration and salmon recovery in Whatcom County. That effort included a focus on Whatcom Creek and as founding members of Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association.

Their work transformed the creek in the middle of Bellingham from a degraded waterway into a living outdoor classroom for stream restoration and environmental education, organizers said. They also have inspired thousands of volunteers to help the environment.

Kyle Morris, for being "Bellingham's model of simple living."

He was an early volunteer with The Pedal Project, which worked to place bicycles around the streets of Bellingham for anyone to use. That program eventually evolved into The Hub Community Bike Shop, a shop and bicycling advocacy program.

Morris is being honored because the shop tries to reuse bike parts whenever possible, for encouraging alternative transportation, and for giving bikes to low-income families and individuals so more people can have less of an impact on the environment.

Gordon Scott, for conservation efforts through the Whatcom Land Trust going back to 1993.

His work has resulted in the purchase and stewardship of 9,390 acres of land in Whatcom County, including 221/2 miles of riverfront and 71/2 miles of saltwater shoreline.

His projects have protected salmon habitat as well as helped keep intact the ecology of Stimpson Family Nature Reserve and Lily Point Marine Reserve.

Barry Wenger, for defending environmental measures like the Growth Management Act, Shoreline Management Act and Whatcom County's Critical Areas Ordinance during his more than 20 years with the state Department of Ecology.

He's also credited with finding the funding and volunteers to remove creosote logs from area beaches. The project, being copied in the region, is an example of his protection of marine waters and shorelines - including his leadership role in the Bellingham Bay cleanup to remove toxics and in protection efforts for Cherry Point.