The following opinion piece was published in the South Whidbey Record on August 5, 2026 and is reprinted with permission.

Deer Lagoon is an area of natural beauty with an abundance of wildlife, but it needs to be properly managed to preserve its special qualities. Deer Lagoon Preserve is unique because it is a public location with a primary function of protecting and preserving wildlife and their habitat rather than encouraging recreation. A detailed site-specific management plan is needed to fulfill that prime responsibility, and we call on Island County to prioritize the process to adopt a plan for Deer Lagoon Preserve.

Inappropriate lighting can also be harmful to birds who migrate here to nest and to our year-round resident birds. When confused by lighting, birds waste valuable time and energy when avoiding or trying to understand the situation. Making small changes in lighting around your own home or workplace can produce big benefits for your local birds.

Our planet’s animals adapted in a dark environment and artificial light can have dire consequences for their behavior and survival. There has been rising awareness of the potential impact of light pollution on bird migration, but the problem extends well beyond migration season. Whidbey Audubon Society (WAS) has several resources illustrating the effects of light pollution on various fauna (including us!)

The Washington State Legislative session started this year on January 13 and is scheduled to end April 27, 2025. There are some exciting updates from Audubon Washington to share and we need your help to ensure that key environmental priorities continue to move forward in the 2025 legislative session.