It is my great pleasure to recognize and applaud a group of people who give, voluntarily, countless hours to this community. This year through a grant from the Oak Harbor Education Foundation, seventh graders at Oak Harbor Middle School have joined together with the WSU Beach Watchers to learn about the environment here on Whidbey and how they can protect it for future generations.

There seems no end to the Beach Watchers’ willingness to share their knowledge and to work tirelessly to keep our island the breathtakingly beautiful place we all enjoy. They have come into the classrooms as well as provided an educational field trip for students to Rosario Beach. The Beach Watchers work closely with the Interpretive Specialist at the park, Adam Lorio. They also put us in touch with Maribeth Crandell, City of Oak Harbor. She has visited our classrooms and involved students in the study and protection of our city’s waste water management.

These people are all incredibly generous with their time and knowledge. This year’s long project is an invaluable learning experience for students who are becoming active, knowledgeable participants in the protection of their environment. Thank you all for helping our young people make that sometimes difficult connection between what they are learning in the classroom to their lives in the community.

Margie Harrington

Oak Harbor