Sound Waters 2007
A One-Day University
Nothing succeeds like success - or Sound Waters. This annual Beach Watcher program is so popular with the public that the rush to enroll borders on community panic. Favorite classes fill to capacity. Year after year, Sound Waters is the largest public gathering held in Island County for marine, nearshore and environmental education.
The 2007 "Sound Waters - A One Day University" held on February 3rd 2007 topped the success scale. Classes ranged from birds to wetlands including conservation, geological, and historical concerns of our area, boating, shore stewardship, and just plain fun classes such as learning how to harvest local shellfish and turn them into a seafood lunch.
Sound Waters is a day to learn, to share knowledge, and to become acquainted with other people who are passionate about caring for our special island environment. It is a day filled with "electricity" over new ideas, insights and appreciation for the beauty of our islands.
With the advantage of power at this years event, a highly efficient registration team and technical experts, made the day go like clockwork. The Committee reported there were a total of 502 registered participants including presenters. Six people came from other states (CA and OR) and 62 from another County. Online registration accounted for 250 of the attendees.
Brad Ack, Director of the Puget Sound Action Team, delivered a powerful message regarding the health, or lack thereof, of the Puget Sound. For the first time ever the entire Sound Waters program was developed around this theme. As a call to action, classes were categorized according to the way they fit the priorities of the Puget Sound Partnership. The PSAT made a significant financial contribution to Sound Waters in addition to furnishing the keynote speaker, and one of the class presenters.
Sixty-three classes were available from which participants could select three. Of the sixty-three, twenty were new to Sound Waters this year. It should be noted that over 93% of registrants were able to get their first choice(s) in class selection.
Lively entertainment was provided by the Shifty Sailors during the lunch break and a wide array of exhibits were available and appreciated by all during the entire course of the day.
2007 Sound Waters was a huge success because of the contributions of the Puget Sound Action Team, the Coupeville School District, Oak Harbor Starbucks, the generous presenters, and the many sponsors. Thanks to everyone.
February 2, 2008 is the planned date for Sound Waters 2008. New course offerings will be available in addition to the favorites offered in previous years.Hundreds of Whidbey Islanders will again care enough about their environment to give up an entire Saturday to learn how to understand and protect it. Please consider attending; you will come away a very changed person.
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