Make A Difference Column

Welcome to the monthly Make A Difference Column.
The Make A Difference Column inspires conservation actions for all walks of life through the lens of "making a difference" to our shared island community resources. This monthly column is a partnership between Whidbey Island Conservation District, the Whidbey Weekly newspaper, Sound Water Stewards, the Washington State University Extension Island County Master Gardeners Program, the Island County Master Gardeners Foundation, the Island County Environmental Health Department of Natural Resources Marine Resources Committee, and other guest partner organizations and contributors.

Make A Difference Column Archive

Click on the title of the article below to download & view.​

2022

• February - Nurturing Healthy Fruit Trees​ 

2021

• January - Native Plant Landscaping
• ​February - Sound Water Stewards: A Story & An Opportunity
• March - You Can Make A Difference by Sharing Island County's Shoreline Wonders 
• April - Protecting Our Water Resources by protecting Your Onsite Septic System
• May - Shoreline Discoveries at Your Fingertips
• June - The Whole Family Can Make A Difference on our Shorelines
• July - Composting for a Healthier Island
• August - We Can Weather the Future Together as Stewards
• ​September - Skimming & Murmuration
• ​October - Make A Difference for Wildlife
• November - It's All Connected
• December - Winter on the Homestead

​2020

• January - Bare Root Native Plant Sale Provides Benefits for Everyone
• February - This is Tree-Growin' Country
• March - Water Conservation in Action
• April - Celebrating Earth Day with Stewardship
• May - Adapting the Land: A Whidbey Family's Story in Promoting Forest Health & Preparing for Wildfire
• June - Improving Your Landscape with Best Management Practices
• July - Your Yard is Where Better Ground Begins
• August - Staying on the Positive Side of Waste Reduction During COVID19
• September - Plant a Pollinator Garden
• October - Orca Recovery Day: Taking Individual Actions for Collective Impact
• November - Making Our Shoreline Friendly for Fish & People
• December - Sound Waters University: A One Day University for All

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2019

• January - Grow-A-Row for Neighbors in Need this Harvest Season
• ​February - Tips for Mud Management with Horses & Other Livestock
• March - Keeping Whidbey's Water Clean - What We Can Do to Improve Water Quality
• ​April - Keep It Green -Conserving Shoreline Vegetation
• ​May - The Wildfire Challenge & What You Can Do
• ​June - Creating a Backyard Wildlife & Human Sanctuary
• July - Amazing Wetlands: Conserving Them in Your Backyard
• August - Onsite Septic Systems: Stay On Top of What Happens Below
• ​September - Whidbey Island Grown: Local Businesses and Supporters Working Together - Making a Difference
• October - A Carbon Less Lifestyle 
• November - Actions for Orcas, Salmon, and our Future
• December - Resources for Whidbey Residents Starting a Rural Business​​

2018

• January - Part 3: Native Plant Landscaping
• February - Where Weeds Meet the Water
• March - Do You Know Your Soil? Whidbey's Soil Basics Through Five Forming Factors
• April - Preserving Whidbey's Beauty through Traditions and Farming
• ​May - On Whidbey, Stormwater Management Solutions Encourage Us to "Think Like a Watershed" 
• ​June - Enjoy & Protect Your Shoreline Resources this summer
• ​July - A Healthy Habit for Summer & for All Seasons: Why Buy Local on Whidbey
• August - What's Up with Recycling & How You Make a Difference
• September - A Primer on Farm Planning: Have a Next So You're Not Always at the End of Your Line
• ​October - Ecological Restoration: Lessons for Landowners
• ​November - Better Ground for Island & Sound: Our Collective Actions at Home Help Marine Neighbors at Sea
• ​December - Keep Whidbey Forests Resilient in a Changing Climate

2017

• January - Backyard Conservation Tips in the New Year
• February - WSU Ext. SNAP Education Program
• March - Is. Co. Public Health's ​Grow a Row Program
• April - Support Local Agriculture this Spring
• May - Whidbey Firewise Tips
• June - Whidbey Water Conservation Tips
• July - Firewise & Fireworks
• August - Firewise Landscaping in Summer
• September - Primer on Whidbey's Ecology
• October - Transitioning Whidbey's Next Farming Generation
• November - Part 1: Native Plant Landscaping
• December - Part 2: Native Plant Landscaping

​2016

• October - Support Local Agriculture this Winter
• December - Steps to Knowing Native Plants

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Earlier articles by WICD staff

• Check out an archive of several articles written by past staff from 2015 and early 2016