Home About the WIC
About the WIC
Welcome!

The Whole Islands Catalog is an online resource for people to share skills, knowledge and connect with one another. You might use the directory to learn more about a business you already support or to find a business that is in line with your ethics regarding social and environmental responsibility. As a business, group or organization you can use the directory to post a free listing describing what you offer to the San Juan Islands community. A catalog of the information that collectively exists among us will help us all see the strength of the Whole Islands Community and become more connected.

The Whole Islands Catalog is also a place to share information. Contributions of articles, reports or essays relating to sustainability in the Islands are welcome.

Please take advantage of this free community-building, information-sharing, local online resource and create listings for your business, group, organization, project and yourself... sharing what YOU have to offer the Whole Island Community!

 
Who's to Blame?

This site is the volunteer offspring of several islands-based groups who were looking to create a directory of local green businesses and resources. The Whole Islands Catalog is a collaborative work in progress and subject to change. To date, input and support has come from

  • Sustainable Orcas Island
  • Orcas Island Green Business Alliance
  • The San Juan County Economic Development Council
  • Phil Heikkinen at The Orcas Island Public Library (which hosts this site as a community service)

Orcas librarian Susannah Beck stir-fried up the Joomla site, while Owen Cheevers helped bring this baby to life in the islands.  Ben Sheppard created the wiki.
 
What is Neighbor's Know-How?

We also want this to be a place to catalog the community's informal knowledge base-- that is, do you know a lot about something you'd be willing to share? Can you blacksmith, play chess, make cheese, or weave a fishing net? Are you an EMT, ham radio operator, scuba diver? Are you the last remaining speaker of a dying language? Are you willing to be a resource for other islanders who want to pick your brain and learn more about what you know? You don't have to be an expert-- just willing to share.
 
Disclaimer

The information in this catalog is provided as a public service and for informational purposes only. No endorsement is implied. We add and update the information on this site as best we can. However, we cannot guarantee its accuracy or completeness. If you see errors, please contact the owner of the entry itself and/or the site manager at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Thanks!
 
Who Can List Here?

Any local San Juan Islands individual, group, organization or business that has committed itself to operating according to sustainable and healthy practices. This might mean they use organic techniques, have retrofitted to use less energy, preferentially use local sources for services and supplies, or are taking steps to reduce their impact on the environment. Groups that encourage community involvement, promote sharing and reusing resources, and in any other way contribute to the local and lively life of the islands are most welcome.

When submitting a listing to the webmaster, please feel free to describe what your commitment to sustainability consists of. Part of our goal is to encourage businesses and groups to articulate the ways in which they are already participating in a local living economy. It may inspire someone else to follow your example!