Events

Jesse DeWald ("JD") is the Head of Hardware at VotingWorks, a nonprofit, open-source voting technology company that has their hardware operations based in Bellingham. Expect a fast tour of the importance of transparency in technology; why hardware (and particularly certified hardware) is hard; what the team is up to in Bellingham; and even a fun mock election demo on the latest equipment.

Water Access Now is an all volunteer organization focused on funding water sources in the northern 3 regions of Ghana. Since our beginning, we have raised $3 million which has financed over 300 wells. Our wells keep girls in school and provides consistent clean water in villages and health centers. Women and girls are walking for water that is not even clean. Close, clean water allows time to create small businesses or help the family farm. Life is exponentially changed for the better.

Learn more about the Downtown Bellingham Partnership (DBP) from Executive Director Lindsey Payne Johnstone. DBP is Downtown Bellingham’s dedicated nonprofit, advancing a vibrant and resilient city center through economic development, business advocacy, placemaking, and signature events and promotions. The organization works in close partnership with the City of Bellingham, the Port of Bellingham, community organizations, and local stakeholders to support Downtown as a place to do business, gather, and belong. DBP recently completed its first-ever three-year strategic plan, providing a clear framework for the organization’s priorities and impact moving forward.

Growth Management Act policies and how they impact which areas Bellingham might annex for future growth. I’ve also heard about some master planning activity in the Barkley Village area to facilitate planned development there over the next several years.

Although we get lots of rain and snow most winters, Whatcom County faces serious water shortages in the summer. Because of climate change, we get less snow in the winter, it melts earlier in the year, and glaciers are shrinking, all of which reduces summer streamflows. Climate change also makes summers hotter and drier, which increases the need to irrigate our lawns commercial landscapes, golf courses, and, especially, farms. Sadly, our political leaders – Dept. of Ecology, Whatcom County, and the Watershed Management Board – are doing almost nothing to reduce this large and growing gap between declining summer water supplies and growing demand.

Real estate perspective on the local housing shortage

Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Foundation does coastal restoration work in Whatcom County and NW WA. We're a 25-year-old organization whose mission is restore local marine environment for marine life, public enjoyment and education. We have a graduate student scholarship program, a coastal fish monitoring program, a derelict gear retrieval program (lost crab pots), and a shoreline stewardship program for homeowners and local government.

“What Is Normal Aging vs. Early-Stage Dementia—and What You Can Do If You’re Worried.” This session will help clarify the differences between typical age related changes and the early warning signs of dementia. We’ll explore how memory, thinking, and behavior naturally shift over time, what may signal something more concerning, and practical steps to take if you’re worried about yourself or a loved one. The presentation is designed to be approachable, informative, and empowering, offering guidance on when to seek evaluation, how to start conversations, and local resources that can help.

Camp Fire Samish owns and operates Camp Kirby, a youth-serving camp located on Samish Island. Camp Kirby has served young people in Whatcom and Skagit counties for over 100 years. Executive Director Marcus Roskamp will share about the programs at Camp Kirby, why Camp Kirby is technology-free, the challenges they see young people facing today, and how outdoor-based programs can be part of the solution.

Geothermal power and broadband infrastructure