Art To Benefit Nature: Local Art Exhibit to Celebrate Nature and Support the Whidbey Camano Land Trust
For Release – January 25, 2008
Whidbey Camano Land Trust
Contact: Patricia Powell, Executive Director, (360) 222-3310
Island County, WA
The Whidbey Camano Land Trust and Gallery by the Bay in Stanwood are collaborating to spread the word about land conservation and protecting wildlife habitat. From February 9 – 29, Gallery by the Bay in Stanwood will present, Natural Habitats, an art show featuring several Washington artists whose work explores a wide spectrum of wildlife habitat and nesting places. The gallery will also host an informational display about the Whidbey Camano Land Trust and invite visitors to support the ongoing work of habitat protection and land conservation. Gallery owner, Gayle Picken and Whidbey Camano Land Trust board member, Barbara Libby began to talk about this project several months ago. Both were interested in highlighting the important work of land conservation here. February seemed a natural time, as the increasingly popular Snow Goose Festival draws thousands of people to the Stanwood/Camano area for birdwatching and to learn about bird habitat. Gayle has donated a print by artist Lori Vonderhorst to the Land Trust, who will give it away in a drawing. Anyone joining the Land Trust during the month of February will be entered in this drawing. In addition, any current members of the Whidbey Camano Land Trust who bring a friend to membership will also be entered in the drawing for the print.
This joint effort coincides with the warmer weather and final weeks of the wintering season here. Many species of shorebirds, ducks, and swans use the sloughs and sheltered shallow waters as well as the farm fields of the flood plains for winter food and safety. In addition, many raptor species frequent the tidal areas, marshy grasslands, and farm field while hedgerows and fields provide homes for many sparrows. This important bird area offers feeding and nesting from November to March for Snow Geese and provides plenty of opportunity for great bird watching.
As development increases in Island County, protecting wildlife habitat can become an opportunity for diverse groups to work together. Join with the Whidbey Camano Land Trust and Gallery by the Bay to support land protection efforts in this important bird habitat area.
Art Show Opening Reception
Join Land Trust staff and board members at the opening reception on Saturday, February 9 from 5 pm to 8 pm at the Gallery by the Bay (8700 – 271 Street NW, Stanwood). Learn about the Land Trust and enjoy the "Natural Habitats" Art Exhibit that runs between February 9 and 29.
For more information, see www.wclt.org or www.gallerybythebay.com
