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PRCAC criticizes missed Watchable Wildlife grant, mobilizes to pursue grants locally
Summary
Members said the county failed to pursue a competitive Watchable Wildlife grant for a viewing station at Lighthouse/White House Park; PRCAC discussed creating a local grant-writing team, considering GrantWatch subscription, and pursuing county or foundation partnerships to fund a viewing-telescope installation.
A committee member recounted that Bennett Knox had proposed a Watchable Wildlife viewing-station project that met grant criteria but was not pursued by county parks. The speaker said the county awarded four $7,500 grants this cycle and that a viewing station at White House Park would have cost approximately $15,000, with the community willing to cover half the cost.
"It would have been about $15,000 to to put a viewing station, at White House Park," the committee member said, describing a two‑tiered telescope (one height for adults, one lower for children with disabilities) and saying the community had met the grant criteria but received no county follow-up. Members expressed frustration that the county did not engage the application process despite the project's apparent fit to grant priorities.
The committee discussed forming a local volunteer grant-writing group, drafting grant applications for county signature when necessary, and using local foundations and Whatcom County's new 'impact fund' to bridge timing gaps for disbursed grant monies. Members also suggested paying for a GrantWatch subscription or fundraising to hire assistance for grant discovery and application.
