Padilla Bay Foundation Late-Winter 2021 Newsletter
February 2021
Oh my. A sort of dreary, gloomy, soggy, even snowy (weather-wise) winter so far. But - spring is coming and the times have kept busy with the Padilla Bay Foundation
The Padilla Bay Reserve Stewardship Department is adopting out “patches” of invasive growth to people and groups who will “Weed ‘em Out.” Your Foundation board adopted a patch of invasive blackberry and here is Stewardship coordinator Corinne Gardner with board members Candy Smith and Paul Dinnel on our first attack! More efforts, with vigor, as the weather cooperates.
As the year 2020 approached its end, we appealed for donations through “Giving Tuesday” and year-end membership renewals. You responded BIG with nearly $10,000 received. This is a big help during times when many normal funding sources, like our gift shop, are closed.
New board members Racheal Meloche and “Tica” Cardozo were elected to your Foundation board in December! Racheal is with Banner Bank in Anacortes and Tica is our student member from Skagit Valley College. Both are enthused and getting going with various committees.
The website for the Foundation is having a further major re-do and will be ready soon with more great photos (like above) from many local photographers. We hope you will like it.
Recently we asked some folks why they donate to help the Padilla Bay Reserve. Here are some “snippets.” Is your value in there somewhere? (Send us your reasons too. foundationatpadillabay@gmail.com They mean a lot to those who work there.)
“It is in support of what the Foundation does and how it fits with our own mission, and it’s out of gratitude for being permitted to use the facilities.”
“We like to support worthy causes in the community in which we do business. As someone who enjoys the mudflats in front of my house, I appreciate the educational aspects of the Foundation and hope to see that continue and thrive in the future.”
“My husband and I have owned a home on Padilla Bay for the past four years. It is the best home we have ever had, not because of the home but because of the beauty of Padilla Bay. We are just starting to learn about the bay research. We and guests have enjoyed visits to the Visitor Center. We alwaus learn something new. Our grandchildren are excited about the ne touch pool! Looking forward to the day it opens up and more exploring can take place!”
Amazon Smile! If you will shop with Amazon Smile and select the Padilla Bay Foundation as your charity of choice, we will receive a small portion of your purchase price at no additional cost to you. Every little bit helps – spread the word!
Would you share your talents and skills to support the programs of the Reserve? Foundation members and others within the community are invited to help the board pursue its goals and initiatives by serving on a committee or taskforce. Please contact us if you will offer your ideas and help to improve our website, communications, gift shop merchandising, and fundraising efforts.
The Padilla Bay Foundation’s mission is to provide supplemental funding to support the activities of the Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Grassroots involvement of our members is the core of the Foundation’s commitment to protecting our estuaries and supporting the Reserve. Members of the Foundation contribute directly to environmental education, stewardship and research at Washington State’s only National Estuarine Research Reserve – one of 29 in the nation. If not already, please consider becoming a member or making a donation to help support our work
Thank You All – the Padilla Bay Foundation Board of Directors
www.padillabayfoundation.org foundationatpadillabay@gmail.com