Sehome Hill Arboretum Board of Governors (SHABOG)

# Sehome Hill Arboretum Board Charts Path Forward on Restoration and Future Governance ## Meeting Overview The Sehome Hill Arboretum Board of Governors convened for their February 2025 meeting with a mix of virtual and in-person participation, including board members, city staff, university representatives, and engaged community members. The meeting showcased the dynamic partnership between Western Washington University, the City of Bellingham, and volunteer groups in stewarding this beloved public space. Key highlights included an impressive presentation from the university's Ecological Restoration Club documenting their extensive invasive species removal work, updates on trail maintenance projects, and substantive discussions about governance changes affecting board appointments. The session also addressed ongoing coordination challenges around the new Longhouse facility and explored questions about representation and community engagement moving forward. ## Public Comment: Fire Safety and Neighborhood Outreach Robin Thomas from the Sehome Neighborhood Association opened public comment by raising two important community concerns. First, she inquired about the progress on fire prevention strategies for the Arboretum, noting neighborhood interest in this topic. Board Chair John DeWitt confirmed this had been a focus within the past year, including a presentation from Western's emergency preparedness director, likely in spring 2024. He offered to locate the specific meeting minutes to help Thomas share information with neighborhood association members. Second, Thomas announced the association's work on a comprehensive neighborhood guide, targeted at approximately 10 pages covering local resources and information. The guide will include an Arboretum map, trail designations for off-leash areas, and the Fix It website contact information for reporting issues. Thomas indicated the rough draft is underway with hopes for June publication, though it could circulate as a Word document initially for fact-checking. Board members John DeWitt and Joan expressed willingness to review the draft, with DeWitt offering to circulate it among all board members for broader input. ## Ecological Restoration Club's Remarkable Impact Caleb Barville, co-founder of Western's Ecological Restoration Club, delivered an impressive presentation documenting the student organization's substantial contributions to Arboretum stewardship. The club hosts weekly Friday work parties from 2…