November 23, 7:00pm NCAS Membership Meeting (In-Person and Simulcast) 

Vaccinations will be required for all persons attending the meeting and vaccination cards will be checked at the door. Masks and social distancing will also be required for all persons. If you don’t feel comfortable attending the meeting in person, NCAS and the Whatcom Museum will also be simulcasting the presentation on the Whatcom Museum’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nMgQ-7r8NE

Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association and Whatcom Land Trust – Rachel Vasak and Jennifer Mackey

Join Rachel Vasak, NSEA Executive Director and Jennifer Mackey, WLT Stewardship Director as they discuss their efforts to acquire, restore, and steward high quality habitat throughout Whatcom County for a multitude of fish and wildlife species, including birds. They will provide examples of how partnerships, education, community-supported efforts, and science-based data have improved habitat quality for future generations and how volunteers can be involved in ongoing and future efforts. Their focus on the riparian habitat is especially crucial for supporting and protecting the most diverse bird communities in the Pacific Northwest.

Rachel Vasak, NSEA Executive Director

Rachel has a passion for exploring the outdoor landscape in all seasons, and is partial to the mountains, lakes, streams, rivers, and the marine environment of the Pacific Northwest. Moving to Whatcom County in 1990 to play in the snow at Mount Baker, she developed a curiosity about the origin of the rocks on beaches leading her to study geology at WWU. A mentor and professor introduced her to NSEA in 1996 - she started volunteering and in one way or another, Rachel has been engaged with NSEA’s work ever since, serving as the Executive Director since 2008. As Executive Director, Rachel’s focus at NSEA is implementation of the strategic plan including growth in monitoring, education, and a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion.

Jennifer Mackey, WLT Stewardship Director

Jenn attended WWU for a B.S. in Environmental Science, spending summers conducting stream profile, vegetation, fish, and small mammal surveys in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and co-leading the Youth Stream Team for the Mt. Saint Helen’s Institute, a program aiming to bring at-risk youth outside to gain a better understanding and appreciation of their natural surroundings. After graduating, Jenn joined the Washington Conservation Corps, working with the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association and the Whatcom Land Trust on riparian restoration and stewardship. After working for the City of Bellingham watershed team and the Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group she again joined the Whatcom Land Trust team as Stewardship Director.