Whatcom County Council Climate Action and Natural Resources Committee

The Whatcom County Council Climate Action and Natural Resources Committee held a brief 18-minute organizational meeting to select new leadership and receive an annual report from Washington State University Extension's Water Resources Program. The committee unanimously appointed Kaylee Galloway as chair and Jessica Rienstra and Jon Scanlon as vice chairs, marking the beginning of the 2026 committee structure. The bulk of the meeting focused on Cheryl Lovato-Niles from WSU Whatcom County Extension presenting her 2025 annual report, highlighting sustainable landscaping education programs, the Whatcom Watersheds Information Network coordination, and the successful 2025 Salmon Summit conference. Her programs served over 2,400 people through various educational initiatives focused on water resource protection and habitat restoration. The presentation revealed strong community engagement in environmental education, with 31 participants in sustainable landscaping courses and 40 events during Water Week reaching thousands of residents. Council members showed particular interest in expanding outreach to property owners regarding water rights adjudication and tracking online resource usage metrics.

**AB2026-004 - Committee Leadership Appointments** - Vote: 7-0 to appoint Kaylee Galloway as Committee Chair - Vote: 7-0 to appoint Jessica Rienstra and Jon Scanlon as Vice Chairs - Staff recommendation: Not applicable (organizational matter) - What it means: Establishes committee leadership structure for 2026 **AB2026-002 - WSU Extension Annual Report** - Action: Received for information (no formal vote) - Staff recommendation: Not applicable (informational presentation) - What it means: Council received update on WSU Extension's water resources and environmental education programs

**Kaylee Galloway, on WSU Extension events:** "I attended both the Salmon Summit and the conflict event, engaging conflict productively. And I will say they were both incredible events." **Jon Scanlon, on water rights outreach integration:** "I think anytime we have somebody talking with property owners in the county, I think we should be offering those resources to help people file by that deadline." **Cheryl Lovato-Niles, on program flexibility:** "But if Whatcom County would like me to get engaged in that, that's something that we could discuss how I might best fit into that." **Jon Scanlon, on watershed focus:** "Is any of that focused on specific watersheds? I'm thinking about the impact on drinking water quality or on shellfish." **Cheryl Lovato-Niles, on survey response challenges:** "I'll be frank, that's been less successful. It is hard to get people to take surveys. People are surveyed out, but we do try to get input."

# WSU Extension Water Resources Program Reports on Year of Community Education The Whatcom County Council's Climate Action and Natural Resources Committee convened for its first meeting of 2026, selecting new leadership and receiving an annual report from Washington State University Extension's Water Resources Program that highlighted extensive community education efforts across the county's watersheds. ## Meeting Overview The hybrid committee meeting began at 11:16 a.m. on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, in the County Courthouse council chambers, with all seven council members present: Elizabeth Boyle, Barry Buchanan, Ben Elenbaas, Kaylee Galloway, Jessica Rienstra, Jon Scanlon, and Mark Stremler. The short but substantive meeting focused on organizational business and received a comprehensive presentation from WSU Extension about their 2025 water resources education programs. With time constraints limiting the session to just 20 minutes, the committee efficiently handled leadership appointments while giving Cheryl Lovato-Niles from WSU Extension a platform to showcase a year of significant community engagement around sustainable landscaping and watershed protection. ## Committee Leadership Changes The committee began with the appointment of new leadership for 2026. Council Member Scanlon nominated Kaylee Galloway as committee chair, with Elizabeth Boyle providing the second. "I nominate Council Member Galloway as chair," Scanlon stated, and the motion carried unanimously with all seven members voting yes. The vice chair selection process involved some last-minute adjustments. Initially, three council members had expressed interest in vice chair positions: Rienstra, Scanlon, and Boyle. However, both Boyle and Scanlon withdrew their names during the meeting. "My intention here was just, I wanted to be on this committee. That was back when we were in three. So I didn't update that. I am not intending to put my name up for vice," Boyle explained, with Scanlon also withdrawing. When asked about serving as vice chair, Jessica Rienstra expressed interest. The committee then sought a second vice chair, with former committee member Mark Stremler declining the opportunity. After Ellenbaas also declined, Scanlon reconsidered his position: "I will put my name back in then to be a second vice." Elizabeth Boyle then moved to appoint Council Members Rienstra and Scanlon as vice chairs, with Scanlon seconding the motion despite being one of the nominees. The appointment carried unanimously, establishing the committee's leadership structure for the coming year. ## WSU Extension's Water Resources Education Program Cheryl Lovato-Niles, Water Resources Educator for WSU Whatcom County Extension, delivered a comprehensive overview of her program's 2025 activities, focusing on sustainable landscaping education and watershed protection efforts. Despite having prepared 68 slides, she efficiently summarized her key program areas within the tight time constraints. Her work centers on two main program areas: sustainable landscaping education and coordination of the Whatcom Watersheds Information Network. "My realm is here in natural resources," Lovato-Niles explained, describing how her educational programs "teach participants how to cultivate healthy soils, how to conserve water, how to grow naturally beautiful landscapes and help to keep our lakes, streams, beaches, and bays clean by preventing the pollution that is associated with common landscaping practices." The sustainable landscaping program offers focused eight-hour courses plus field trips, concentrating on practical techniques that minimize environmental impact. These "Garden Green" courses teach participants to reduce their use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides while preventing soil erosion and material runoff. The program specifically addresses wildfire resilience in the Sudden Valley area and provides information about support available through the Whatcom Conservation District. In 2025, Lovato-Niles offered courses in multiple locations to increase accessibility: an in-person course in the Geneva neighborhood for Sudden Valley residents, another at the Birch Bay Activity Center, and an evening online option. The program reached 31 participants across all sessions, with 25 completing the full courses. Post-course surveys revealed strong adoption rates, with 13 respondents reporting they had implemented or planned to use the practices taught. Additionally, all 11 survey respondents indicated they were sharing the materials and resources with friends and neighbors, extending the program's reach. ## Whatcom Watersheds Information Network Lovato-Niles also coordinates the Whatcom Watersheds Information Network (WIN), describing it as "a diverse group, a coalition of organizations, agencies, private citizens working together" with a mission to "help protect and restore our local waters and watersheds through information exchange, collaboration, education, and public engagement." WIN operates three primary activities: a speaker series, the annual Water Week Festival, and skill-building trainings for natural resources professionals. The speaker series covers technical topics and is typically offered online, making sessions easy to record and post as lasting references on their website. The 2025 Water Week Festival demonstrated significant community engagement, with 40 events hosted by 21 different organizations and more than 2,400 people participating. Lovato-Niles described these as "largely what you might call edutainment events as well as some stewardship activities like cleanups." The festival receives approximately $4,000 annually from sponsors, primarily used for promotion and contest prizes. WIN also provides professional development, offering a conflict engagement training in 2025 that attracted 26 natural resources professionals. The training aimed to help participants "gain more insights into factors that drive conflict and enhance their ability to deescalate situations, communicate without causing defensiveness." Post-training evaluations from 17 participants showed improved knowledge and skills, with most indicating they would apply what they learned in their work. ## Salmon Summit Conference A highlight of 2025 was Lovato-Niles' involvement in planning and executing the Salmon Summit Conference, focused on "reconnecting habitat, restoring rivers and recovering salmon." The conference sessions concentrated on research and restoration in the Nooksack Basin and drew 226 attendees, including both experienced professionals and students entering the field. The conference featured presentations from a diverse range of organizations including Whatcom County staff, the Conservation District, City of Bellingham, Lummi and Nooksack Natural Resources Departments, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, Western Washington University, Northwest Straits Foundation, and Environmental Science Associates. "It was made possible by tremendous sponsorship support," Lovato-Niles noted, expressing gratitude to the conference sponsors. ## Questions on Watershed Focus and Water Rights Council Member Scanlon raised important questions about the program's geographic focus and potential connections to current water rights issues. Regarding watershed targeting, he asked, "Is any of that focused on specific watersheds? I'm thinking about the impact on drinking water quality or on shellfish." Lovato-Niles confirmed the program's strategic focus: "It's focused on both the Sudden Valley area and also Birch Bay specifically." This targeting reflects the program's attention to areas where landscaping practices can have direct impacts on sensitive water resources and shellfish growing areas. Scanlon then raised a timely question about water rights adjudication, noting that Cascadia Daily had reported 16,000 people had filed water rights claims out of an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 total. "I'm just wondering if there are opportunities as you're talking with folks. We have so many other entities and organizations doing outreach with folks, helping them file. Is that anything that's part of your work?" Lovato-Niles acknowledged this wasn't currently part of her program: "It has not been part of my work. When folks, occasionally I will field a call from somebody who has some questions and then I refer them to folks at the county. But if Whatcom County would like me to get engaged in that, that's something that we could discuss how I might best fit into that." Scanlon emphasized the importance of leveraging existing community connections: "I think anytime we have somebody talking with property owners in the county, I think we should be offering those resources to help people file by that deadline." ## Program Metrics and Topic Selection Council Member Rienstra inquired about the program's content development and evaluation processes. Regarding speaker series topics, she asked how they are chosen. Lovato-Niles explained a multi-faceted approach: "What we do is we turn internally and say, what are some topics that you're feeling you want some outreach on? That's one approach. This year we did that. And we also did an interest survey for the folks who attended the Salmon Summit." She noted they had tried broader community surveys but found limited success: "I'll be frank, that's been less successful. It is hard to get people to take surveys. People are surveyed out, but we do try to get input." Rienstra also asked about online engagement metrics for posted materials. Lovato-Niles admitted, "No, we have not really been doing that. But that is something that we can review," suggesting an area for potential program improvement. ## Committee Chair's Closing Comments New committee chair Kaylee Galloway praised the WSU Extension programs based on her personal experience: "I attended both the Salmon Summit and the conflict event, engaging conflict productively. And I will say they were both incredible events." She requested that council be kept informed about upcoming events: "So as you continue to plan your 2026 event calendar, please keep council in the loop because I think we would be interested in participating those whenever appropriate." ## Looking Ahead for 2026 Lovato-Niles indicated that Public Works had requested the sustainable landscaping courses be offered again in 2026, with plans for sessions at Birch Bay Village, Sudden Valley Recreation Center, and another evening online option. The program continues to build its newsletter subscriber base, which approached 300 recipients in 2025 after adding almost 100 new subscribers during the year. The presentation concluded with Lovato-Niles offering to provide additional information about the Mold Search Program, a collaboration between Sea Grant and WSU funded by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife that focuses on early detection of invasive European green crab, though time constraints prevented this additional presentation. ## Meeting Conclusion The committee meeting adjourned at 11:34 a.m., running slightly over its planned 20-minute duration but successfully accomplishing its organizational business and providing a platform for the comprehensive WSU Extension report. The new leadership structure positions the committee for continued focus on climate action and natural resources issues, while the WSU Extension presentation demonstrated the breadth of community education and engagement happening around watershed protection and sustainable land use practices throughout Whatcom County.

## MODULE S1: STUDY GUIDE **Meeting ID:** WHA-CON-CNR-2026-01-13 ### Meeting Overview The Whatcom County Council Climate Action and Natural Resources Committee met on January 13, 2026, to reorganize leadership for the new year and receive an annual report from the Water Resources Program of Washington State University Extension. The meeting focused on appointing new committee leadership and learning about water protection and sustainable landscaping education programs serving the county. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Committee Chair:** The council member who leads committee meetings, sets agendas, and guides discussion. In this case, Councilmember Kaylee Galloway was appointed to chair the Climate Action and Natural Resources Committee. **Vice Chair:** Up to two council members who assist the chair and can lead meetings when the chair is absent. Councilmembers Jessica Rienstra and Jon Scanlon were appointed as vice chairs. **WSU Extension:** Washington State University's community education program that brings research-based knowledge directly to communities through local educators and programs. **Sustainable Landscaping:** Gardening and landscaping practices that minimize environmental impact by reducing pesticide use, conserving water, preventing soil erosion, and protecting water quality. **Whatcom Watersheds Information Network (WIN):** A coalition of organizations, agencies, and citizens working together to protect and restore local waters and watersheds through education and collaboration. **Water Adjudication:** A legal process where property owners must file claims to establish their water rights. Council Member Scanlon noted that 16,000 people have filed out of 15-20,000 expected to file by the deadline. **Nooksack Basin:** The watershed area drained by the Nooksack River, which was the focus of the 2025 Salmon Summit Conference on habitat restoration and salmon recovery. **Nutrient Pollution:** Contamination of water bodies by excess nitrogen and phosphorus, often from fertilizers and other landscaping chemicals that run off into streams and lakes. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Kaylee Galloway | Whatcom County Council Member, newly appointed Committee Chair | | Jessica Rienstra | Whatcom County Council Member, appointed Vice Chair | | Jon Scanlon | Whatcom County Council Member, appointed Vice Chair | | Elizabeth Boyle | Whatcom County Council Member | | Barry Buchanan | Whatcom County Council Member | | Ben Elenbaas | Whatcom County Council Member | | Mark Stremler | Whatcom County Council Member | | Cheryl Lovato-Niles | Water Resources Educator, WSU Whatcom County Extension | ### Background Context This meeting represents the annual reorganization of the Climate Action and Natural Resources Committee, which focuses on environmental issues affecting Whatcom County. The committee oversees policies related to water quality, habitat protection, climate change adaptation, and natural resource management. Leadership appointments are significant because the chair and vice chairs will guide the committee's priorities and agenda for the coming year. The presentation from WSU Extension highlighted ongoing efforts to protect water quality through education programs. This work is particularly important given Whatcom County's environmental challenges, including salmon habitat restoration, shellfish protection, and managing water resources amid growing population and climate change pressures. The water adjudication process mentioned in the discussion relates to a state requirement for property owners to document their water rights, which affects thousands of county residents. The educational programs described serve critical watersheds including areas around Sudden Valley and Birch Bay, where development pressure and residential landscaping practices can impact water quality. These programs help residents adopt practices that protect local waterways while maintaining attractive landscapes. ### What Happened — The Short Version The meeting started with council members selecting new leadership. They unanimously chose Kaylee Galloway as the committee chair. After some initial confusion about who wanted to serve as vice chair, they appointed Jessica Rienstra and Jon Scanlon to those positions. Next, Cheryl Lovato-Niles from WSU Extension gave a presentation about her water education programs. She runs classes that teach people how to landscape their properties without harming local waters. Her "Garden Green" courses teach 8 hours of practical skills like healthy soil practices and reducing chemical use. Last year, 25 people completed these courses. She also coordinates the Whatcom Watersheds Information Network, which hosts educational events and a speaker series. Their biggest event is Water Week, which had 40 events and over 2,400 participants in 2025. She helped organize a Salmon Summit conference that drew 226 attendees to learn about habitat restoration. Council members asked about whether her programs focus on specific watersheds (yes, especially Sudden Valley and Birch Bay) and whether she helps with water rights filing (no, but she could if the county wanted). The meeting ran short on time, so she didn't present her final slides about the invasive crab monitoring program. ### What to Watch Next • The committee will begin setting its 2026 agenda under new Chair Galloway's leadership • WSU Extension will offer more sustainable landscaping courses in 2026, including sessions at Birch Bay Village and Sudden Valley Recreation Center • Council may consider whether to involve WSU Extension in helping property owners file water rights claims before the adjudication deadline ---

## MODULE S2: FLASH CARDS **Meeting ID:** WHA-CON-CNR-2026-01-13 **Q:** Who was elected as the new chair of the Climate Action and Natural Resources Committee? **A:** Councilmember Kaylee Galloway was unanimously appointed as chair by a 7-0 vote. **Q:** How many vice chairs were appointed, and who are they? **A:** Two vice chairs were appointed: Jessica Rienstra and Jon Scanlon, both by unanimous 7-0 votes. **Q:** What is Cheryl Lovato-Niles' role at WSU Extension? **A:** She is the Water Resources Educator for WSU Whatcom County Extension, focusing on sustainable landscaping education and watershed protection programs. **Q:** How long are the "Garden Green" sustainable landscaping courses? **A:** The courses consist of 8 hours of instruction plus a 2-hour field trip, much more focused than the comprehensive Master Gardeners Program. **Q:** How many people completed the Garden Green courses in 2025? **A:** 25 participants completed the courses out of 31 who attended some sessions. **Q:** What are the main focus areas for the sustainable landscaping education? **A:** The courses focus on Sudden Valley area and Birch Bay specifically, teaching practices that protect water quality in those watersheds. **Q:** What does the acronym WIN stand for? **A:** WIN stands for Whatcom Watersheds Information Network, a coalition working to protect local waters and watersheds. **Q:** How many events and participants were part of Water Week 2025? **A:** Water Week had 40 events hosted by 21 different organizations, with more than 2,400 people participating. **Q:** How many people attended the 2025 Salmon Summit Conference? **A:** 226 people attended the conference, which focused on reconnecting habitat, restoring rivers, and recovering salmon in the Nooksack Basin. **Q:** What water rights issue did Council Member Scanlon mention? **A:** He noted that 16,000 people have filed water adjudication claims out of an expected 15-20,000 who need to file by the deadline. **Q:** How much annual sponsorship does WIN receive for Water Week activities? **A:** They receive about $4,000 annually from sponsors, used primarily for promotion and contest prizes. **Q:** What newsletter does Cheryl send out and how many subscribers does it have? **A:** She sends the "Gardening Green Into the Weeds Newsletter" to almost 300 subscribers, adding nearly 100 new subscribers in 2025. **Q:** What skill-building training did WIN offer to professionals in 2025? **A:** They offered training on conflict engagement to help professionals deescalate situations and communicate without causing defensiveness, attended by 26 professionals. **Q:** Which specific areas receive wildfire resilience information in the landscaping courses? **A:** The Sudden Valley area receives wildfire resilience information, with referrals to support from the Whatcom Conservation District. **Q:** What time did the meeting begin and end? **A:** The meeting was called to order at 11:16 a.m. and adjourned at 11:34 a.m. **Q:** Does WSU Extension currently track online usage metrics for their posted materials? **A:** No, they do not currently track usage metrics, but Cheryl indicated this is something they can review and start doing. **Q:** How does WIN choose topics for their speaker series? **A:** They ask member organizations what topics they want outreach on, survey attendees at events like the Salmon Summit, and sometimes do community interest surveys. **Q:** Were all seven council members present at the meeting? **A:** Yes, all seven council members were present: Galloway, Stremler, Boyle, Rienstra, Buchanan, Elenbaas, and Scanlon. **Q:** What did Chair Galloway request from WSU Extension going forward? **A:** She asked them to keep the council in the loop on their 2026 event calendar so council members can participate when appropriate. **Q:** What program did Cheryl mention she could present on if there was time? **A:** The Mold Search Program, a collaboration between Sea Grant and WSU funded by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to detect invasive European green crab. ---