Mollywood Service 5-20-17

Saturday's service outing was unique in many ways. First, it was one of the first truly sunny days of spring, hoorah! Secondly, it was our dear Sonia's birthday! In honor of both of these occasions, we gathered at Cascade Montessori Middle School in preperation of a day of service. After describing the service outing and what to expect from Mollywood, we headed out to the county.



One GEC girl described the atmosphere at Mollywood Avian Sanctuary well when she poetically stated: “This place is its own world of sounds.” A world of sounds indeed! Imagine over 150 parrots, mostly cockatoos, squawking and screeching for your attention, and you have some idea of the audio chaos that we were fortunate to take part in last Saturday afternoon.

Mollywood was founded by Betsy and Nate Lott, whose love of the companion birds led to their unforeseen care-taking of hundreds of birds who have been abandoned, abused, or neglected by their owners. Taken from their native habitat in the jungles of Indonesia and South America, parrots are the third most popular pet in the U.S. and can be found in 17.3 million homes. 

Unfortunately most parrot owners aren’t aware of the effort and  commitment needed to effectively care for these birds, resulting in 85% of them being given away within the first 2 years (parrots can live to be 80 years old! Betsy's oldest bird, Grampa, is 73). This highlights the need for committed and compassionate people such as Betsy, who tirelessly work to provide shelter and sanctuary for these lively and lovable birds. Betsy volunteers day in and day out to care for these birds, forsaking a paying job and virtually all of her free time (she's had one vacation in the past ten years, and it took 6-8 people to fill her shoes!). She relies on other volunteers, such as the energetic hard-working Silverwing Bats, to help maintain the sanctuary and ensure a healthy and hospitable environment for the birds.

The Silverwing Bats really lived up to the EC mottos of Our Cups Overflow, Everyone Helps, Walk Your Talk and Get Dirty as they ambitiously and diligently cleaned out the debris and food discards from under the cages and swept up huge, heaping piles of wood pieces, bird seeds, paper scraps (parrots are by nature messy birds - it's how they help revegetate the jungle) and put them into the garbage. Imagine a room packed with 50+ birds, all talking (and screeching) at once. The girls tackled the work and managed the noise with enthusiasm and a positive attitude. Smiles and laughter were frequent as we cleaned and swept, all the while talking to the birds, who were whistling at us, calling names like "Pretty Lady! Pretty Lady!" asking "How Are You?", bouncing up and down (one bird kept whispering "I love you" to us as we cleaned its cage). Soon the girls had transformed the garage and a room off of Betsy's house into a clean sanctuary. 

One highlight of the day was getting to meet some of the friendlier birds. The girls took turns holding some very adorable cockatoos, including Picaba, who LOVES attention and affection. 

We came to Mollywood committed to serving and making a small difference in the lives of these birds and their caretakers, but walked away with so much more. We truly felt the pleasure that comes from sharing our work, time, and even birthdays with those that deserve it the most, and all were in a bit of awe at Betsy's commitment. For more information about this wonderful organization, please visit their website at: www.mollywood.org

EC Mottos especially alive today: Safety First, Walk Your Talk, Expect the Unexpected, Our Cups Overflow, LIBK, You See It You Own It, Many Hands Make Light Work, We're All Teachers, Collaborate and Compromise

Basket Weaving @ Govenor's Point 4-23-17

Picture this: large sandstone formations, wind dancing on waves, an isolated beach with a vista of tree-clad islands and the sparkling Salish Sea. Sunday was blissful, meaningful, and memorable!

The Silverwinged Bats arrived and quickly began on tasks with choosing and then cutting withies for basket weaving. We began Opening Circle with the history of Governor's Point... It's story started long ago when Governor's Point's only inhabitants were heron, seal, otter, cougar, bear, and myriad other non-human beings; then to the Mamosee people who plied these waters in dugout canoes; to the more modern usage of this land as boys' camp, rock quarry, and site of a future 7 lot housing development.

Along the way to the beach, we got to know Indian Celery, an amazing photo-toxic plant, played with cleaver, and thought about the impact of putting houses on this point. Nearing the cove, we left the well trod road and fox-walked through the forest, down to the bluff, and eventually onto the beach. At this special point we imagined, shared, explored, discussed, and played on rocks. We learned how to start a basket made from woven seagrass and willow withies. With focus, patience, and persistence, each of the Silverwing Bats created the bottom of a small basket. 

While we wove, the Silverwing Bats spotted an elephant seal, several Bald Eagles, Loons, and even traces of an otter family. Alas, time passed all too quickly, and before long we were hastening back to our ending circle. On our way back, we quite serendipitously ran into the owners of the infamous Lot 7. W were overjoyed to learn that although houses would soon be built on the Pointe, GEC will be welcome to enjoy its magic for many outings to come.

We mentors are so grateful for this group of girls, at once silly and serious, trustworthy and tough, wise and wonderful!

Mottos: Connect to Protect, We Are All Connected, Widen Your Circle

Service with WTA: 2-26-17

Mentors here at Wild Whatcom are connection lovers. And we're not talking about the internet, but rather the connection that happens in realtime, between humans interacting with themselves, one another, the community, and their physical environment. All these sorts of connections were evident during our service project last Sunday with the Washington Trails Association (WTA)!

The WTA builds and maintains trails over the entire state of Washington, and their volunteer trail maintenance program is among the largest in the nation. They log more than 105,000 volunteer hours statewide each year, and over 2500 volunteers giving back to the trails they love.

We started our day with an ice breaker so our two different groups - Trilliums and Bats - could intermingle.  We then gathered in council and met Kathy, Arlen and Ken, who offer many days out of their busy schedules to Walk Their Talk and work to create and improve trails all over western Washington. 

After learning about how to safely handle the multitude of tools provided, we grabbed shovels, Pulaskis, saws, clippers, and hoes, capped our eager heads with some fancy hard hats and made our way up and up the Fragrance Lake Trail.  

All along the way, the WTA volunteers acted as our teachers, guiding us in instruction and supporting our efforts with smiles and stories. These older, seasoned WTA volunteers are open-hearted, generous in their teachings, and made this day one of beautiful connection between young and old, tool and task, girl and group, and the empowerment of giving back to nature.

As our time together came to a close, we gave heartfelt acknowledgements to one another for our attitude and efforts. A truly wonderful and inspiring day!

Our Words of the Day? Ditches, Drains, Mud and Motivation! 

Check out the rest of the photo album here!

Service at Woodstock Farm: 11-11-16

In the past few days, a new personal motto has come up for me: The Antidote to Apathy is Action. Taking action can also help alleviate frustration and anxiety, and generally helps one feel purposeful. 

Four GEC groups contributed joyful purpose to our shared service day, taking pride in our new role as caretakers of Woodstock Farm.

At our gathering meeting, we learned about the history of this place and the role of generosity and forward conservationist thinking that led to its preservation. Thanks to Cyrus Gates, his family home and land has been gifted to Whatcom County for all to enjoy - Mr. Gates also had a strong hand in protecting Larrabee State Park, Arroyo and Fairhaven Parks, Sehome Arboretum, and the Mt. Baker Bulb Farm (since turned into Bellis Faire Mall due to a legal loophole).

We brainstormed on who the users of the park are: humans, yes, but also raven, salmon, chipmunk, raccoon, weasel, mouse, heron, slug and so much more. We talked about why a park needs caretakers for all these stakeholders, and what occurs without people lending a hand to manage trails and terrain. Since our gathering area was adjacent to a stand of alders, thimbleberry and salmonberry, overrun by invasive blackberry, the girls quickly understood how invasive species take over native ones rather quickly.

Then we were off on a very short trip by bus to our destination just up the road. The next few hours were spend collaborating in purposeful work, removing invasives with care and attention, singing and talking while we worked. Worms were admired, baby fir trees were transplanted, connections were made between within and between GEC groups.

Each group shared some time on the bluff overlooking the sea, marveling at this extraordinary view that is normal for us here in Bellingham, and feeling thankful that Cyrus Gates had the foresight to set this bluff aside for all to enjoy. We also gave thanks for the Clark family for it's donation of Clark's Point to the Whatcom Land Trust, and the preservation of Chuckanut Island, now owned by the Nature Conservancy (but which was, long ago, a 13th birthday present for Cyrus Gate's son!).

Other gratitudes shared included the company of one another, the chance to serve, Explorers Club, trees, the Salish Sea, connections, generosity, and people who understand that all things are connected.

Enjoy the slideshow from our day here! 

SWB & Trillium Exploration & Service at Larrabee State Park: 11-5-16

Our shared Saturday was a day where so many teachable moments collided: about assumptions ("it's going to rain all day and we'll all be soaked" - it didn't and we weren't), expecting the unexpected, being prepared, flexibility, going with the flow, serving where we saw the need, being present with process, accepting what is, and not labeling/judging experiences as good or bad.

As you likely heard, the day shifted as the wind gusts picked up, and our Washington Trail Association (WTA) partners made the difficult decision that working trailside in the forest could put our safety at risk. So, following our most important motto - Safety First - we brainstormed how to Turn Problems into Possibilities. Between WTA's ideas, Larrabee ranger Amber's input and the groups intention to serve somehow, we settled on heading to Clayton Beach to live out our Leave No Trace motto. Our mission was to use our owl eyes to find and remove litter, disperse illegal fire rings, and dismantle potentially harmful log structures.

We did all that, and along our journey we also:

* Found and marveled at fungi, camouflaged amidst the autumn leaves

* Discovered a plant mysteriously growing inside a bottle, and wondered at how it came to be and thrive in there

* Walked and talked and laughed together, the Silverwing Bats and Trilliums flowing freely between and among groups - a great connection and collaboration!

* Had an in-depth discussion about leaving one's imprint on the earth via art or writing. When is it graffiti and when is it art? What about historical graffiti, like petroglyphs? How is our behavior affected when we arrive to a place - like a driftwood fort - with lots of writing/signatures; do we feel encouraged to add our own, and is this ok? What if others are defacing a place - how does Group Think play a role in how we behave? Does it make a difference if the written on object is living, eg a growing tree, or nonliving, eg a rock or driftwood? Does the medium we utilize matter, eg. charcoal vs. ball point pen vs. spray paint vs. knife? Do we need others to tell us to do or not do something like write on nature - how does our own intuition guide us? How does our Leave No Trace motto speak to all of this? If someone does leave graffiti, how can we follow up with them without making them immediately defensive or guilt-ridden? How do we feel when we're approached with accusations?

* Rolled enthusiastically down the sand hill and clambered up on sandstone perches and long logs extending over the sea

* Had an impromptu deep discussion about materialism, consumption and happiness. A discussion of micro-trash and its effects on marine ecosystems led us down a conversational path about why we buy, the feelings of anticipation and temporary fulfillment consumption offers. But all agreed that satisfied feeling soon wears off, leading to a let down and wanting of more. One person shared statistical findings that those with enough basic needs met, plus a bit more, are happiest, while those with too little OR an over-abundance tend to be less happy and content. So, if obtaining things doesn't bring happiness, we brainstormed on what does. Girls offered the following: relationships with others, connections with animals, doing art, listening to music, being in nature, exercise, reading, good conversations, challenging oneself, creating, meditation and yoga, exploring, giving to others through service, and more. All of us agreed that these things are the heart of happiness, rather than consuming and buying (and they're all free!).

Part two of the day was an effort to further connect around the welcoming warmth of a fire. A small crew headed the short distance to Aimee's house to collect firewood (and cookie dough) then met the others at an empty campsite at Larrabee. We gathered round the fire, cookie dough circles flattening and baking over the flames, and shared another lesson, about the importance of flexibility in life. We agreed that, like today, things often don't go according to plan. How can we be receptive to what is, rather than be attached to how we think things ought to be? How can we be prepared for sudden or slow change in the path we're on, Expect the Unexpected? What mindset helps? What are healthy, and unhealthy ways to respond to change? How does being present help? Then we shared a favorite EC story of "Good, Bad, Who Knows?" about an old man in ancient China who teaches us through his response to life events that every experience is an opportunity to learn and grow.

We wrapped up this memorable service/exploration with our chosen Words of the Day: Good, Bad, Who Knows?

Enjoy two slide shows from our day! One here and the other here.

Hike to Heliotrope Ridge- 10/2/16

What a day full of glorious glacier views, challenging hiking terrain, and tricky creek crossing puzzles for the Silverwing Bats! Lauren and I are so grateful to have shared in the experience with this great group.

The Coleman Glacier in all its glory!

The connection began immediately - is there such a thing as Fall Fever (like spring fever)? If so, many of these girls had it and words were spilling out like the cascades we passed later along the trail. We bottled that energy into Moose and headed east, checking in with one another about summer and autumn changes.

We discussed the Ten Essentials in some depth, and agreed that yes, they are essential even for a day hike (and talked about why that is).

Ten Essentials

1. Navigation (map and compass)
2. Sun protection (sunglasses and sunscreen)
3. Insulation (extra clothing)
4. Illumination (headlamp/flashlight)
5. First-aid supplies
6. Fire (waterproof matches/lighter/candles)
7. Repair kit and tools
8. Nutrition (extra food)
9. Hydration (extra water)
10. Emergency shelter
11. Communication (emergency communication device)

We also pointed out different life zones that we would pass along the trail (and then really noticed these as we were hiking):

Hemlock, Redcedar, Douglas-Fir Zone Elevation 0-2,000 feet (most of the drive up)

River Valleys: Forest Floors Thrive on Soil 
Most recipes for life in nature's kitchen start on the forest floor with fertile, moist soils, teeming with life. The hemlock, redcedar, Douglas-fir forest contains a great diversity of plants and animals, including more than 3,400 species of "bugs".

Silver Fir Zone 2,000-5,500 feet (on the drive up)

Taking a quick break to check out this beautiful waterfall

Mountain Forests: Wet and Wooded Mansions If mountain forest habitat was a many-roomed house, the rivers and streams would be its hallways. Thousands of watery corridors connect the mountain slopes to the sea. These wet and wooded forests of the silver-fir zone provide shelter for many animals, including insects and birds.

Subalpine Zone 4,000-7,000 feet (At the toe of the Coleman Glacier)
Mountain Meadows: Winter Welcome Mats
Subalpine creatures nestle down in a habitat that invites chilly weather and nearly shrugs off summer. Stunted trees cluster on humps amid open meadows and rocky outcrops awaiting snow melt for a brief chance to grow after eight months of cold in the subalpine zone.

Alpine Zone Elevation 7,000+ feet
Rocky Ridges: Life in an Icebox
At high elevations, nature's freezer defrosts drip by drip. Cracking blue clusters of ice bury the tops of treeless rocks. Frigid winds and constant snowfall challenge organisms to adapt. Ice worms and red algae are some of the few life forms nurtured at the summits of the alpine zone.

Lots of creeks to cross

After a double-check of gear at the trailhead, we headed up to Heliotrope! Our group stayed Lauren was in front with the trailblazers, while Stormie moseyed on up the trail with the following group. We checked the map frequently to track our progress and met a new friend, the Silver Fir tree!

After a great hike through old hemlock, we emerged into the subalpine zone, navigated multiple perplexing creek crossings, and had our breaths taken away by the site of the massive Coleman glacier. Wow. Impressive is too small a word to describe this mammoth block of wavy ice.
We enjoyed a too-short Peaceful Place by the glacier, and then, far too soon, it was time to descend (though many girls could have happily gone up and up and up).

Silverwing Bats on Heliotrope Ridge

On the hike down the connections continued with talks of future aspirations, healthy eating habits, favorite outdoor activities, and fall exploration plans.

Mottos especially in use today: The Trail is the Teacher, Stretch Your Edge, Be Prepared, Safety First

Whatcom Creek Wander: Following the Salmon Home - 9-17-16

Though this urban trek took us out of the woods and onto pavement, it had all the elements of an adventure: enthusiastic and curious participants, a complex historical and modern story, fascinating intersections of human and natural constructs, games, lessons in empathy and more. We say The Trail is the Teacher, and this creek greenway through the city was no exception.

All our outings seek to ground us in a sense of place. In this case, it was Maritime Heritage Park, formerly a forest so thick it was difficult to walk through, beside a beach unfilled with fill, and a creek teeming with salmon. As we set the tone for the day, we traveled between past and present: we went back to the Salish fish camp on the bay, "seeing" men in canoes, fishing with their nettle nets, women and girls picking berries, the surrounding forest teeming with life: fox, bear, cougar, mink, beaver, countless birds; understood the impact of Roeder and Peabody's choice of the falls as the site for their mill, bringing dramatic changes, including a new town called Whatcom; heard about the march of progress, human ingenuity causing numerous degradations to the creek and bay. We came to the present, and saw the juxtaposition of streamside restoration and continued degradation, of visible efforts to shift past wrongs, and also problems that persist. Beside the displaced creek we saw evidence of displaced persons, and spoke of how to project love and compassion their way rather than fear and judgment.

Here were some of the gifts of the day:

• Saw (and picked up) lots of litter

• Discussed the value of commitment and Walking Your Talk in showing up to GEC on a rainy, blustery day.

• Began to understand the creek's history by playing Oh Salmon!, which highlighted the impacts on salmon and their needs (food, water, shelter) over time.

• Read the lessons in the Salmon Woman totem pole, about abundance, greed, and consequences, and making amends.

• Discovered many hazards on salmon's journey: fish hooks, churning waterfalls, pollution, an artificially straightened creek, pipelines, and other myriad impacts of the city.

• Met up with the GEC bus, Moose, to mimic salmon being bussed over a dam – in our case, we were bussed through the most urban aspect of the stream's journey.

• Engaged with the salmon art, mostly sculpture, all along the trail. A favorite was the large bell with the inscription: Our Simplest Wisdom is to Follow the Sea-Bright Salmon Home.

• Witnessed the challenge of living without the basic need of shelter in seeing temporary homes constructed of cardboard boxes, old tents, bushes, and men and women huddled in the rain with garbage bags for rain jackets. We were happy when we could offer some warm gloves.

• Asked questions with no right or easy answer: What is progress? Is it good or bad? How can we consider the next seven generations in how we live and act? What are our preconceptions of others? How is everything connected? What can we learn from the past? Why are salmon important? How can things that seem good become bad, and vice versa?

• Worked to navigate our way along the trail using map, trail markers, common sense, local knowledge, and trial and error!

• Learned about many of the human characters who have shaped the creek's journey: the native inhabitants, Roeder & Peabody, the Ladies Cooperative Society, The Whatcom Park Club, the advocates for creek straightening to prevent flooding, Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association, the victims of the pipeline explosion, & all of us who live, work and play near the Sound of Noisy Waters (Whatcom)

• Had a great time tracking (and tricking) one another as we played the Tracking Game.

• Experienced the changes in landscape along the way as we discussed changes over time all along Whatcom's journey, until finally entering the familiar comfort of the forest ecosystem in Whatcom Falls Park.

• Ended our day with a discussion of the Seventh Generation Principle, where one considers the impact of one's action on those living seven generations a head. It can be expressed thusly: 'We say that the faces of coming generations are looking up from the earth. So when you put your feet down, you put them down very carefully - because there are generations coming one after the other. If you think in these terms, then you'll walk a lot more carefully, be more respectful of this earth”.

• Reflected on the circle of life and how nothing really ever ends, but continues on, regeneration, and how those who have passed on become nurse logs for what comes after. This is true for salmon, trees, water and everything in nature. In our human realm, those who die can become nourishing nurse logs of inspiration, fundraisers, humor, memories, poetry, wisdom and so much else. Not gone, still going.

We let the girls know of a salmon celebration on October 23, offered by the fishers at Desire Fish Company. In their words: "This October 23 we will be hosting a Free Event at the Fairhaven Village Green. Come and enjoy! Bring a salad or potluck item for the table if you wish. Bring from your abundance to the Free Market to give. Or come and eat from our bounty and receive from the many offerings so many will be sharing!"

Finally, a contribution from a past GEC girl, now 15, who wrote this short poem throughout the day while walking this same route along Whatcom Creek:

Life and Death

Everything struggles to survive.

Though some things live and some things die.

Even though there may be strife,

It all makes the circle of life.

If some die, yet others live,

feeding upon what the dead bodies give.

Death makes life and life makes death.

So close your eyes and enjoy your breath.

Our words of the day? "Showers, Salmon, Streams, and Stories!"

You may check out the slideshow from our day here.