Events


Presented by the League of Women Voters of Bellingham-Whatcom County and Salish Current

At The Old City Hall
121 Prospect Street

  • Setting Sun Circle Film Screening with Q&A: Rotunda Room, 6 p.m.

At The Lightcatcher
250 Flora Street

  • Nooksack Storytelling with Tammy Cooper Woodrich and Angela LeToi: People of the Sea and Cedar Gallery, Noon–1 p.m. 
  • Poetry Workshop with Carla Shafer: Studio, 1–2:30 p.m. 
  • Sharing Our Water Art Market: Courtyard, 2–7 p.m.
  • Coast Salish Art with Jason LaClair: Book Nook, 1–3 p.m.

Panel: “Water is Life: Our Shared Culture, Environment, Economy”: Studio, 4–5:15 p.m.

Northwest Washington is a center for maritime, riverine, agricultural, and recreational pursuits, among others. This makes our water not merely a resource, but rather a shared asset that is vital to our community. This panel will discuss water’s cultural significance, environmental importance, and economic contributions to our region.

  • Jay Julius, fisherman, former chair and council member at Lummi Nation
  • Rich Appel, Water for Whatcom and Chief Executive Officer, Appel Farms
  • Perry Eskridge, Government Affairs Director, Whatcom County Association of Realtors
  • Moderator Jeff Bos, Chief Growth and Impact Officer, Soil and Climate Initiative

Panel: “Water Under Threat: Climatic Challenges to Our Communities”: Studio, 5:30–6:45 p.m.

Water and fishery resources in Northwest Washington are under threat due to climate change. Decreasing snowpack and earlier snowmelt affect streamflow and water availability. Also, increased temperatures and extreme weather events are likely to lead to more frequent summer water shortages and winter flooding risks. This panel will address how our community can be more pro-active and resilient in facing these threats.

  • Gavin Willis, Executive Director, Ag Water Board of Whatcom County
  • Free Borsey, Lummi Nation artist and environmental steward
  • John Perry, Mayor of Everson
  • Moderator David Roberts, Washington Department of Ecology (retired), founder and former owner of Peak Sustainability Group

Panel: “Creative Thinking About Future Water Resource Management”: Studio, 7–8:30 p.m.

The rapidly warming climate raises the stakes in managing our precious water resources in Northwest Washington. This panel will examine how water law and climate change factor into decision-making over our use of the water we all share. It will also explore how to move forward with collaborative approaches to public water management.

  • Keynote speaker: Jim Davenport, water attorney, author, 49-year member of the Washington Bar Association
  • Tom Tebb, former director, Office of the Columbia River, Washington Department of Ecology
  • Jim Papp, marine shipping specialist, award-winning photographer and author


Salish Current thanks our generous Water Knowledge Festival sponsors!

• Barron Quinn Blackwood, PLLC • Chuckanut Health Foundation • Financial Plan, Inc. • Kulshan CPAs
• Mount Baker Foundation • RAM Construction • Water Means Life Foundation

Do you know where the money goes?

Understanding Municipal Budgets

Watch the video — Read the manual

Learn when and how to weigh in on municipal budgets and
make sure your voice is heard by local government!

Featuring Forrest Longman, City of Bellingham Deputy Administrator
Supported by Whatcom Community Foundation Project Neighborly
Presented by Salish Current

Now on video:
Voices of the Northwest
Knowledge Festival 2025

Missed our fifth anniversary “Voices of the Northwest” speaker series? Want to see it again?

It’s all here on video:


“Voices of the Northwest” Knowledge Festival 2025
was made possible by generous support from these sponsors.