2009 is a year of anniversaries. Associated Students is turning 100, Huxley College marks their 40th anniversary, and The Planet celebrates 30 years as Western's environmental magazine.
Over the past three decades, The Planet has followed changing political administrations, the acquisition of Bellingham's only Superfund site, and a pipeline explosion that devastated Whatcom Falls Park and the community. It has covered controversial development of many key local sites, including the Lake Whatcom watershed, Blanchard Mountain and the waterfront.
As these stories continue to affect our community, others join the pages. This quarter, we look at the past and future of Whatcom County, from growth management to wildlife conservation, and from multicultural science programs to recycled art. As our community grows in new ways, we strive to bring you a knowledgeable and fresh voice on things that matter.
What will be the future of this magazine? The Planet has grown from a mimeographed monthly publication to the only undergraduate-produced environmental magazine in the country. It now reaches a global audience, but still remains committed to objectively telling the stories of people here in Whatcom County. This magazine will always be a work in progress, influenced by its ever-changing and dynamic staff. As the world of journalism changes, we're experimenting with multimedia and design to get information to you as effectively as possible, telling stories that transcend boundaries of time and place.
We still have a ways to go. Now more than ever, we need to look at our collective past and come together to discuss our future. As naturalist and author John Muir said, "When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world."
This magazine continues to evolve, as do the stories it covers. Where The Planet goes in the future is up to you.
We thank you for your readership, and welcome feedback in the form of letters, e-mail or conversation. Here's to 30 years!
Sincerely,
Emily A. Linroth