Pollution-prevention specialist to discuss Bellingham Bay cleanup May 22

Lee First, Pollution Prevention Specialist for RE Sources, will discuss the ongoing cleanup of Bellingham Bay as part of the Western Washington University Huxley College of the Environment Speaker Series at 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 22 in Environmental Studies 100 on Western’s campus.

The presentation is free and open to the public.

The talk, titled “Bellingham Bay Cleanup Sites: History, Contamination, and Opportunities for Involvement,” will explain the basic cleanup processes at three local sites: Central Waterfront, GP West, and the Cornwall Landfill. She will also describe the contaminants involved and the stage of cleanup at each of these sites, and share ideas on how to get involved with the cleanup efforts.

As a member of the RE Sources North Sound Baykeeper Team, First investigates and documents critical-area complaints and construction and industrial stormwater discharges in Whatcom and Skagit counties. She is a professional wetland scientist with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science. Before coming to RE Sources in 2007, she worked as a wetland scientist for a tribal government and as a water quality and drainage specialist for municipal and county government.

The presentation will include a question-and-answer period. Anyone interested in the topic is encouraged to attend and participate. The Speaker Series, sponsored by Western’s Huxley College of the Environment, is intended to bring together environmentally-minded members of the WWU and Bellingham communities. Speakers address topics of contemporary environmental concern in the region and the world.

WWU’s Huxley College of the Environment is one of the oldest environmental colleges in the nation and a recognized leader in producing the next generation of environmental stewards. Huxley’s distinctive, interdisciplinary curriculum reflects a broad view of the physical, biological, social, and cultural world, and has earned international recognition for quality.

For more information, please contact Western’s Huxley College of the Environment at (360) 650-3520.