Whidbey Island residents with an interest in and passion for the environment will have the opportunity for a full plate of fresh knowledge next month.
Sound Water Stewards of Island County, formerly known as the Island County Beach Watchers, will host Sounds Waters on Feb. 6.
The one-day educational conference is designed to help Whidbey residents better understand the island, how to take care of it and enjoy the numerous activities available. The event will last from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 6 at South Whidbey High School.
The conference will include a keynote speaker followed by more than 60 classes, 41 of which are brand-new.
Led by 88 presenters, the classes cover topics such as adapting to projected climate change in the Pacific Northwest, coastal geology, kayaking local waters, understanding local water systems and wildlife photography. There will also be about 50 exhibits on display.
The event attracts an average of more than 600 people, according to Sound Water Steward attendance figures from the group’s website.
“Our goal, what really gets me excited, is that it’s an opportunity for us to help educate our fellow citizens about this remarkable place where we live,” said Linda Rider, president of the Board of Directors for the Sound Water Stewards.
Keynote speaker Brian Atwater is a research geologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, member of the National Academy of Sciences, fellow of the American Geophysical Union, and an affiliate professor at the University of Washington.
During his address, Atwater will recount excerpts from his book, “The Orphan Tsunami of 1700, Japanese Clues to a Parent Earthquake in North America.” In it, he provides insight regarding coastal geology affecting Whidbey Island and the surrounding areas. Atwater will explain why the story encapsulates many of today’s precautions against earthquake and tsunami hazards in the Cascadia region of the Pacific Northwest.
After the keynote speech, attendees will attend classes broken up into three sessions throughout the day. Classes vary from lectures to slideshows. There will be opportunities for question-and-answer sessions and roundtable discussions.
The sheer variety of classes and number of attendees can be overwhelming for some, said Marky Olson, publicity chairwoman for Sound Waters. But it’s also a good thing.
“It’s negative in that there’s so much, but it’s positive that it wakes people up to the realization that there’s a tremendous amount of research being done,” Olson said. “The only way for us to save this incredible place is if we understand it.”
The event will be the first showcase for the independent organization, Sound Water Stewards, which will operate the event as a singular entity. Sound Water Stewards was formerly the Beach Watchers of Washington State University’s Island County Extension. The independent group officially split from the university on Dec. 31 after 15 years.
“This is new for us, it’s what we call a gap-year, it’s becoming the new us,” said Anne Baum, event chair for Sound Waters University. “We’re becoming even more than what they have been before. It’s an education project that is invaluable to people on the island both in our training classes and Sound Water University.”
Those interested in attending the event can register at http://soundwaterstewards.org/sw/2016/?q=regis.form.
Registration costs $48.
A reduced fee of $25 is available for enrolled students and teachers and for active duty military and their spouses (ID is required on the day of the event).
An optional catered lunch is available for $14. Registration closes at 11 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 31.
