What a great opportunity to participate by volunteering to help the amazing group at Paper Whale to set up the Noisy Waters Festival in Bellingham, Washington this past weekend. The Lummi word Xwot’qom (similar to Whatcom) ~ translates to noisy or roaring waters to describe the priorly existent Whatcom Creek […]
Read MoreWe don’t just create art—we reclaim connection. Let’s get real: we’re not going to create a thriving future by using the same thinking and systems that got us here. That’s why we do things differently—merging art, design, science, and creative action to inspire community stewardship and deep connection with the […]
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Artists in Collaboration: Nisqually Youth Supporting Artists: Christopher Gerber & Kyle Sanchez “Leschi Learning Legacy” an acrylic mural honors Chief Leschi, a courageous Nisqually leader who stood for Native rights and sovereignty during the Puget Sound Indian War. This artwork celebrates his enduring legacy of resistance, justice, and the preservation […]
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One of the murals that will be created from funds received by Inspire Olympia Grant funding will be: Plant Relations – this 100 foot long mural will illustrate local plants and their uses important to Squaxin culture: past and future. The location is in the TJ Potter Alley in the […]
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In Chicago, a mile-long stretch of the river is being revitalized through floating wetland modules that bring nature back to an urban waterway. These structures improve water quality, support pollinators, and create visible green space in the heart of the city—an inspiring example of what we are proposing for the […]
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Along the industrialized Duwamish River in Seattle, the UW Green Futures Lab collaborated with community groups to create modular “biobarges” planted with native species. These floating wetlands filter pollutants, improve water quality, and provide essential habitat for salmon and other wildlife—much like what we are proposing for the Deschutes River […]
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The Friends of Green Lake have launched a pilot project to improve water quality and habitat through the installation of floating wetlands—much like what we are proposing for the Deschutes River and Estuary. These constructed islands, planted with native vegetation, help absorb excess nutrients, reduce algae growth, and provide shelter […]
Read MoreI’m Marie Poland, and this weekend I’m volunteering at the Paper Whale Muddy Waters Festival in Bellingham—diving into their mural contest to see firsthand what makes it vibrant and successful. With years of experience in event production and organizing, I’m gathering ideas, tips, and creative sparks to bring back to […]
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This project builds on earlier work by Christopher Gerber, (founder of A.W.E.) who first explored the potential for Coast Salish-inspired floating wetlands at The Evergreen State College. His initial vision surmised that anchored, crescent-shaped islands could improve water quality, support habitat, and carry deep cultural meaning. As part of her […]
Read MoreThis week of June 2025 here along the Salish Sea on the West side of the bay downtown Olympia, a story pole ~ Life is Water, created by artist Taylor Krise from the Squaxin Island tribe was installed at the West Bay Park. The carving underscores how vital clean water […]
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