Sehome Hill Arboretum Board of Governors

# Real Briefings — Supplemental Content --- ## MODULE S1: STUDY GUIDE ### Meeting Overview The Sehome Hill Arboretum Board of Governors met on May 15, 2025, to discuss ongoing ecological restoration work, review a student climbing area cleanup proposal, and make decisions about longhouse stormwater management landscaping. The board also addressed administrative matters including their annual report and future meeting logistics. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Social Trails:** Unofficial paths created by repeated foot traffic that aren't on the formal trail map. The board must decide whether to formalize these trails or work to decommission them, especially if they cause erosion issues. **Ecological Restoration Club:** A Western Washington University student organization that conducts weekly volunteer work parties removing invasive species like cherry laurel and English ivy from the arboretum. **Stormwater Detention System:** Infrastructure that captures and manages rainwater runoff, requiring specific vegetation height limitations (24 inches or shorter) around access points for maintenance crews. **Invasive Species Removal:** The ongoing process of removing non-native plants like English ivy, holly, and cherry laurel that can crowd out native vegetation in forest ecosystems. **House of Healing:** A new Western Washington University building nearing completion that will serve indigenous communities and includes associated stormwater management infrastructure. **Arboretum Day:** An annual public event featuring faculty-led interpretive hikes about forest ecology, ethnobotany, arboretum history, geology, and birdwatching. **Leave No Trace Principles:** Outdoor ethics guidelines that minimize human impact on natural areas, relevant to climbing and recreational activities in the arboretum. **Mixed Seed Plantings:** Vegetation approaches using both native and non-native plant species, which board members noted tend to fail over time with non-native grasses dominating. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | John Tuxel | Board Chair | | Wayne | Board member, Western representative | | Caleb Barville | Student, Ecological Restoration Club | | Alex Strong | Senior at Fairhaven College, proposing work party project | | Travis | Board member | | Joan/Kendra | Board members | | Nick Leader | Board member | | Karen | City of Bellingham representative | | Oscar | Western grounds specialist | | Frida | City's acting stewardship supervisor | ### Background Context The Sehome Hill Arboretum exists as a partnership between Western Washington University and the City of Bellingham, creating unique governance challenges around maintenance, liability, and decision-making authority. The board regularly deals with unauthorized activities like climbing, mountain biking, and camping that occur in gray areas of their formal policies. Student organizations like the Ecological Restoration Club provide valuable volunteer labor for invasive species removal, while the board must balance access and preservation goals. The new House of Healing represents significant infrastructure development requiring careful integration with the arboretum's natural systems. ### What Happened — The Short Version Student Caleb Barville reported that volunteer work parties have removed 25 cubic yards of invasive plants over six weeks and are planning Arboretum Day on May 31st. Alex Strong, a graduating senior, proposed a work party to clean up a climbing area and improve trail access, but the board had concerns about formalizing unauthorized trails and handling hazardous waste cleanup. The board approved their annual report and discussed landscaping plans for the new stormwater detention area near the House of Healing, ultimately leaning toward using regular grass in areas requiring low vegetation for maintenance access. They also addressed ongoing website development issues and planned to return to campus meetings in September. ### What to Watch Next • Arboretum Day on Saturday, May 31st, featuring guided hikes and restoration activities • Fall meetings resuming in September, likely back on Western's campus • Stormwater detention area planting plan development over summer for board approval in fall • Student website development progress and resolution of URL/content concerns --- ## MODULE S2: FLASH CARDS **Q:** How many cubic yards of green waste has the Ecological Restoration Club removed in the last six weeks? **A:** Approximately 25 cubic yards of cherry laurel and English ivy from along the Jersey Street Trail. **Q:** What is the name of the boulder where college students have been drinking and leaving trash? **A:** The Turtle, which has an overhanging cave formation in the northeastern climbing area. **Q:** When is Arboretum Day scheduled and what activities will it include? **A:** Saturday, May 31st, featuring faculty-led interpretive hikes about forest ecology, ethnobotany, geology, birdwatching, plus live music and riparian restoration. **Q:** What height restriction applies to vegetation around the stormwater detention access points? **A:** 24 inches or shorter to allow maintenance crews access to the underground infrastructure. **Q:** Who is responsible for cleaning up hazardous materials from homeless encampments in the arboretum? **A:** The city's solid waste team from the Public Works department, not volunteers, due to safety protocols for handling human waste and needles. **Q:** What are social trails and why are they a concern? **A:** Unofficial paths created by repeated use that aren't on the formal trail map. They can cause erosion and require board decisions about formalization or decommission. **Q:** How many people typically join the Friday afternoon work parties? **A:** Between 15 to 25 community members participate in the weekly invasive species removal efforts. **Q:** What did the board decide about the mixed seed planting option for the stormwater area? **A:** They were opposed, noting that mixed plantings typically fail with non-native grasses dominating and native species disappearing after 1-2 years. **Q:** When do board meetings resume and where? **A:** September, likely returning to Western's campus in conference room PB309 with the front gate staying open past 4:30 PM. **Q:** What was Alex Strong's timeline for completing his senior project? **A:** He needed to finish before graduating on June 13th, making it a very short timeline for board approval and implementation. **Q:** What climbing etiquette issue did Alex mention regarding sandstone? **A:** You can't climb sandstone when it's wet, and climbers should follow Leave No Trace principles to minimize impact. **Q:** Why was the board concerned about formalizing climbing area trails? **A:** Because the board doesn't officially sanction climbing and would need to engage a broader review process before approving trail building to climbing areas. **Q:** What infrastructure will help with watering the new stormwater area plantings? **A:** A hose bed near the loading dock that will allow easy watering without requiring water trucks. **Q:** Who will develop the vegetation plan for the stormwater detention area? **A:** Frida, the city's acting stewardship supervisor, will create the plan by summer's end for board approval in fall. **Q:** What was the main concern about the student-developed arboretum website? **A:** The URL and content could confuse the public into thinking it's the official arboretum website, when it should showcase student work related to the arboretum. **Q:** How many visits did the official Sehome Hill Arboretum webpage receive in the past year? **A:** 7,600 visits, compared to 241 visits to the Board of Governors page. **Q:** What training requirement applies to board members? **A:** Public Meeting Act training within 90 days of assuming position, with renewal every four years as required by state law. **Q:** What suggestion did board members make about reporting problems in unauthorized areas? **A:** Creating a community reporting system for trash, graffiti, and other issues since these areas aren't part of regular maintenance patrols. --- ## MODULE S3: QUIZ WITH ANSWER KEY **Question 1: How many cubic yards of green waste has the Ecological Restoration Club removed in recent weeks?** - A) 15 cubic yards - B) 25 cubic yards - C) 35 cubic yards - D) 45 cubic yards **Question 2: What is the name of the boulder where trash has accumulated from student drinking and homeless camping?** - A) The Eagle - B) The Turtle - C) The Bear - D) The Owl **Question 3: What height restriction applies to vegetation around stormwater detention access points?** - A) 18 inches or shorter - B) 24 inches or shorter - C) 30 inches or shorter - D) 36 inches or shorter **Question 4: Who is responsible for cleaning up hazardous materials from homeless encampments?** - A) Student volunteers - B) Board members - C) City solid waste team - D) Western grounds crew **Question 5: When is Arboretum Day scheduled?** - A) Saturday, May 24th - B) Saturday, May 31st - C) Sunday, June 7th - D) Saturday, June 14th **Question 6: What was Alex Strong's graduation deadline for completing his senior project?** - A) May 31st - B) June 6th - C) June 13th - D) June 20th **Question 7: Why was the board opposed to mixed seed plantings for the stormwater area?** - A) They're too expensive - B) Native species typically disappear after 1-2 years - C) They require too much watering - D) The city doesn't approve them **Question 8: How many people typically attend the Friday afternoon work parties?** - A) 5 to 10 community members - B) 10 to 15 community members - C) 15 to 25 community members - D) 25 to 35 community members **Question 9: When do board meetings resume after the summer break?** - A) August - B) September - C) October - D) November **Question 10: What was the main concern about climbing activities in the arboretum?** - A) They damage native plants - B) They create liability issues - C) The board doesn't officially sanction climbing - D) They disturb wildlife **Answer Key:** **1. B — Caleb Barville reported the Ecological Restoration Club removed approximately 25 cubic yards of green waste over the last six weeks.** **2. B — Alex Strong identified "The Turtle" as the boulder with an overhanging cave where trash has accumulated from drinking and camping.** **3. B — Vegetation around stormwater access points must be 24 inches or shorter to allow maintenance crew access.** **4. C — Karen explained that the city's solid waste team handles hazardous material cleanup due to strict safety protocols.** **5. B — Arboretum Day is scheduled for Saturday, May 31st, featuring guided hikes and restoration activities.** **6. C — Alex Strong said he needed to complete his project before graduating on June 13th of the following month.** **7. B — Board members noted that mixed plantings typically fail with native species disappearing after 1-2 years while non-native grasses dominate.** **8. C — Caleb reported that between 15 to 25 community members join the weekly Friday afternoon work parties.** **9. B — The board planned to resume meetings in September, likely returning to Western's campus.** **10. C — Chair John Tuxel noted that climbing exists in a "funny gray area" where the board doesn't have any formal designated areas or officially sanction it.** --- ## MODULE S4: Q&A — COMMON QUESTIONS **Q: Why doesn't the board officially allow climbing in the arboretum?** A: The board currently has no formal climbing areas designated and doesn't officially sanction climbing activities. Chair John Tuxel described it as existing in a "funny gray area." The board would need to engage in a broader review process before approving trail building to climbing areas, which keeps coming up as an issue they may need to address comprehensively in the future. **Q: What happens to areas where homeless people have been camping?** A: The city has a formal cleanup process handled by the solid waste team from Public Works due to safety concerns. City representative Karen explained they use strict protocols for managing hazardous materials like human waste and needles. The area must first be assessed by trained crews before any volunteer cleanup could be considered safe. **Q: Why is the board opposed to mixed native/non-native seed plantings?** A: Board members have observed that mixed plantings typically fail over time, with native species disappearing after 1-2 years while non-native grasses dominate. They cited specific examples like plantings by Galbraith parking lot and the Inner Science building where the intended "wild meadow look" became just grass requiring mowing. **Q: How does the partnership between Western and the City of Bellingham work for the arboretum?** A: It creates shared governance with representatives from both entities on the board. Maintenance responsibilities are divided, with some areas handled by Western's grounds crew (like the green waste removal) and others by city departments (like hazardous material cleanup). Both organizations contribute resources for projects like the stormwater detention area planting. **Q: What can community members do to help with arboretum maintenance?** A: The Ecological Restoration Club runs weekly Friday afternoon work parties that welcome 15-25 community members for invasive species removal. Board members also suggested creating informal reporting systems for problems in unauthorized areas that aren't part of regular maintenance patrols. **Q: Why are social trails a problem?** A: Unofficial trails created by repeated use can cause erosion issues, especially when they run straight uphill. The board must decide whether to formalize trails (bringing them under maintenance purview) or work to decommission them by discouraging use or providing alternate paths. Trail decisions also involve considerations about what activities the board wants to officially support. **Q: When will the new House of Healing landscaping be completed?** A: The city's acting stewardship supervisor Frida will develop a vegetation plan by the end of summer for board approval in fall, with planting parties planned for fall or winter. The project includes both low vegetation areas (likely grass) for maintenance access and shrub plantings in surrounding areas. **Q: How can people stay informed about arboretum activities and decisions?** A: The board meetings are open to the public and will resume in September on Western's campus. Meeting materials are posted on the city website. Upcoming events like Arboretum Day on May 31st are announced through multiple channels. The board is also working on improving their website to better serve public information needs. **Q: What's the controversy about the student-developed website?** A: Board members are concerned the URL and content could confuse the public into thinking it's the official arboretum website. They want it reframed to showcase student work related to the arboretum rather than appearing to be the arboretum's official site. The goal is avoiding misinformation while supporting student creativity and employment opportunities. **Q: What training do board members need to complete?** A: State law requires Public Meeting Act training within 90 days of assuming position, with renewal every four years. The board is working to clarify what other training requirements may apply and how to track compliance for both existing and new members.

## MODULE S1: STUDY GUIDE **Meeting ID:** BEL-SHA-2025-05-15 ### Meeting Overview The Sehome Hill Arboretum Board of Governors met on May 15, 2025, to discuss ongoing ecological restoration work, review a student climbing area cleanup proposal, and make decisions about longhouse stormwater management landscaping. The board also addressed administrative matters including their annual report and future meeting logistics. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Social Trails:** Unofficial paths created by repeated foot traffic that aren't on the formal trail map. The board must decide whether to formalize these trails or work to decommission them, especially if they cause erosion issues. **Ecological Restoration Club:** A Western Washington University student organization that conducts weekly volunteer work parties removing invasive species like cherry laurel and English ivy from the arboretum. **Stormwater Detention System:** Infrastructure that captures and manages rainwater runoff, requiring specific vegetation height limitations (24 inches or shorter) around access points for maintenance crews. **Invasive Species Removal:** The ongoing process of removing non-native plants like English ivy, holly, and cherry laurel that can crowd out native vegetation in forest ecosystems. **House of Healing:** A new Western Washington University building nearing completion that will serve indigenous communities and includes associated stormwater management infrastructure. **Arboretum Day:** An annual public event featuring faculty-led interpretive hikes about forest ecology, ethnobotany, arboretum history, geology, and birdwatching. **Leave No Trace Principles:** Outdoor ethics guidelines that minimize human impact on natural areas, relevant to climbing and recreational activities in the arboretum. **Mixed Seed Plantings:** Vegetation approaches using both native and non-native plant species, which board members noted tend to fail over time with non-native grasses dominating. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | John Tuxel | Board Chair | | Wayne | Board member, Western representative | | Caleb Barville | Student, Ecological Restoration Club | | Alex Strong | Senior at Fairhaven College, proposing work party project | | Travis | Board member | | Joan/Kendra | Board members | | Nick Leader | Board member | | Karen | City of Bellingham representative | | Oscar | Western grounds specialist | | Frida | City's acting stewardship supervisor | ### Background Context The Sehome Hill Arboretum exists as a partnership between Western Washington University and the City of Bellingham, creating unique governance challenges around maintenance, liability, and decision-making authority. The board regularly deals with unauthorized activities like climbing, mountain biking, and camping that occur in gray areas of their formal policies. Student organizations like the Ecological Restoration Club provide valuable volunteer labor for invasive species removal, while the board must balance access and preservation goals. The new House of Healing represents significant infrastructure development requiring careful integration with the arboretum's natural systems. ### What Happened — The Short Version Student Caleb Barville reported that volunteer work parties have removed 25 cubic yards of invasive plants over six weeks and are planning Arboretum Day on May 31st. Alex Strong, a graduating senior, proposed a work party to clean up a climbing area and improve trail access, but the board had concerns about formalizing unauthorized trails and handling hazardous waste cleanup. The board approved their annual report and discussed landscaping plans for the new stormwater detention area near the House of Healing, ultimately leaning toward using regular grass in areas requiring low vegetation for maintenance access. They also addressed ongoing website development issues and planned to return to campus meetings in September. ### What to Watch Next • Arboretum Day on Saturday, May 31st, featuring guided hikes and restoration activities • Fall meetings resuming in September, likely back on Western's campus • Stormwater detention area planting plan development over summer for board approval in fall • Student website development progress and resolution of URL/content concerns ---

## MODULE S2: FLASH CARDS **Meeting ID:** BEL-SHA-2025-05-15 **Q:** How many cubic yards of green waste has the Ecological Restoration Club removed in the last six weeks? **A:** Approximately 25 cubic yards of cherry laurel and English ivy from along the Jersey Street Trail. **Q:** What is the name of the boulder where college students have been drinking and leaving trash? **A:** The Turtle, which has an overhanging cave formation in the northeastern climbing area. **Q:** When is Arboretum Day scheduled and what activities will it include? **A:** Saturday, May 31st, featuring faculty-led interpretive hikes about forest ecology, ethnobotany, geology, birdwatching, plus live music and riparian restoration. **Q:** What height restriction applies to vegetation around the stormwater detention access points? **A:** 24 inches or shorter to allow maintenance crews access to the underground infrastructure. **Q:** Who is responsible for cleaning up hazardous materials from homeless encampments in the arboretum? **A:** The city's solid waste team from the Public Works department, not volunteers, due to safety protocols for handling human waste and needles. **Q:** What are social trails and why are they a concern? **A:** Unofficial paths created by repeated use that aren't on the formal trail map. They can cause erosion and require board decisions about formalization or decommission. **Q:** How many people typically join the Friday afternoon work parties? **A:** Between 15 to 25 community members participate in the weekly invasive species removal efforts. **Q:** What did the board decide about the mixed seed planting option for the stormwater area? **A:** They were opposed, noting that mixed plantings typically fail with non-native grasses dominating and native species disappearing after 1-2 years. **Q:** When do board meetings resume and where? **A:** September, likely returning to Western's campus in conference room PB309 with the front gate staying open past 4:30 PM. **Q:** What was Alex Strong's timeline for completing his senior project? **A:** He needed to finish before graduating on June 13th, making it a very short timeline for board approval and implementation. **Q:** What climbing etiquette issue did Alex mention regarding sandstone? **A:** You can't climb sandstone when it's wet, and climbers should follow Leave No Trace principles to minimize impact. **Q:** Why was the board concerned about formalizing climbing area trails? **A:** Because the board doesn't officially sanction climbing and would need to engage a broader review process before approving trail building to climbing areas. **Q:** What infrastructure will help with watering the new stormwater area plantings? **A:** A hose bed near the loading dock that will allow easy watering without requiring water trucks. **Q:** Who will develop the vegetation plan for the stormwater detention area? **A:** Frida, the city's acting stewardship supervisor, will create the plan by summer's end for board approval in fall. **Q:** What was the main concern about the student-developed arboretum website? **A:** The URL and content could confuse the public into thinking it's the official arboretum website, when it should showcase student work related to the arboretum. **Q:** How many visits did the official Sehome Hill Arboretum webpage receive in the past year? **A:** 7,600 visits, compared to 241 visits to the Board of Governors page. **Q:** What training requirement applies to board members? **A:** Public Meeting Act training within 90 days of assuming position, with renewal every four years as required by state law. **Q:** What suggestion did board members make about reporting problems in unauthorized areas? **A:** Creating a community reporting system for trash, graffiti, and other issues since these areas aren't part of regular maintenance patrols. ---