Environmental educator Bert Webber to speak in Huxley series Oct. 7

Huxley College of the Environment founding faculty member Bert Webber will discuss his work with the Cloud Mountain Farm and Education Center and the need to protect small- and medium-sized family farms as part of Western Washington University’s Huxley College of the Environment speaker series at noon on Friday, Oct. 7, in Academic Instrucitonal Center West Room 304 on the Western campus.

The presentation is free and open to the public.

Most farms in Whatcom County are small or intermediate in size but nevertheless contribute much to the local food supply and the economy of the Salish Sea region. To maintain farms, farmers and their contributions, the region's agricultural sector must remain resilient to climatic, economic and social stresses, Webber says. Climate change, urban sprawl and agricultural market forces pose new and recurring challenges to small- and medium-sized farms. These challenges are being addressed locally by roughly 80 food and farm organizations, including Webber’s Cloud Mountain Farm and Education Center.

Webber's research and teaching interests emphasize marine biology, ecological restoration, natural history and environmental impact assessment. He has consistently encouraged direct student engagement in the systems they study.

Webber originally proposed naming the area’s trans-boundary greater ecosystem the Salish Sea, a name that was officially recognized two decades later in 2008.

Anyone interested in this topic is encouraged to come and participate; the presentation will include a question-and-answer period. The speaker series is held by Western's Huxley College of the Environment to bring together the environmental-science community and other interested members of the WWU and Bellingham communities. Speakers address topics of contemporary environmental concern in the region and the world.

For more information, please contact the main office of Huxley College of the Environment at (360) 650-3520.

Western’s Huxley College of the Environment is one of the oldest environmental colleges in the nation and a recognized national leader in producing the next generation of environmental stewards. The college’s academic programs reflect a broad view of the physical, biological, social and cultural world. This innovative and interdisciplinary approach makes Huxley unique. The college has earned international recognition for the quality of its programs.