Community Calendar and Information Hub

Lichens & Moss : Cryptogamic Plants with Northwest Natura @ Deception Pass State Park

Apr 20 @ 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Join botanist and naturalist, Jazmen Yoder on a walk at one of the most stunning trail systems in the Pacific Northwest. There will be an emphasis on learning lichens and moss, but we will ID any plant or fungi species of interest. Bring your camera, come for the knowledge, and stay for the views! This is a unique field trip offering you’ll remember forever.

Space is limited.

Categories: Outdoor Recreation Workshops, Classes and Lectures Tags: deception pass ethnobotany lichen moss pnw hiking

Apr

Wed

Balancing Policy, Population, and Preservation @ Bellingham Yacht Club

Apr 24 @ 11:45 am – 1:30 pm

Amidst shifting state legislation and pressing housing challenges, the Bellingham City Club presents “Balancing Policy, Population, and Preservation.” This vital program tackles the delicate balance between housing demands, community preservation, and regulatory compliance. With unprecedented mandates altering the city’s landscape, crucial questions arise about housing location, comprehensive planning, and neighborhood character preservation. Featuring distinguished speakers Blake Lyons, Garrett O’Brien, and Chris Behee, experts in urban planning, community development, and GIS, the event promises invaluable insights and actionable strategies. By fostering dialogue and collaboration among key stakeholders, the program underscores the City Club’s commitment to civic engagement. Join us on April 24, 2024, at the Bellingham Yacht Club, for lunch and an unmissable discussion on shaping Bellingham’s future. For event details and registration, visit www.bellinghamcityclub.org or contact info@bellinghamcityclub.org.

Categories: Adult Focused Events Business Networking Events Education Tags: #Housing #HOUSINGINBELLINGHAM

Boundary Bay Brewery Tour @ Boundary Bay Brewery

Apr 24 @ 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm

Join us for a special Bellingham Beer Week Brewery Tour at Boundary Bay!

We’ll be hosting a unique brewery tour experience including a beer & food pairing specifically created by our head chef to explore the three c’s of beer pairing – compliment, contrast & cut! The tour will take you into the heart of the brewery and guide you through our beer-making process while offering exclusive tastes of our award-winning beer along the way!

The tour starts at 5:30 pm on Wednesday, April 24th. Tours are 21+ only. Brewery tour tickets can be purchased online for $25 each and include the tour, tastings, beer & food pairing, and one pint at our historic Mountain Room Bar.

Categories: Adult Focused Events Food & Beverage

Apr

Boating Center Benefit Dance @ Elks Lodge

Apr 27 @ 7:00 pm

The Corinthian Yacht Club of Bellingham invites you to its annual benefit dance for the Community Boating Center.

This year’s dance will be held on Saturday, April 27 at the Elks Lodge, 710 Samish Way in Bellingham. The doors open at 6:30 and the classic-rock band, The Walrus, will take the stage at 8 pm.

All proceeds, including from a paddle auction, will go to the boating center in its final push to finish its new Wheelhouse in Fairhaven and provide boating access and education to our Whatcom County community.

Get ready for a fun-filled night! Light refreshments will be provided by volunteers from the Corinthian Yacht Club, and beer, wine, alcoholic beverages and water will be available for purchase.

Dance tickets are $25 in advance at CYCbellingham.org/dance or $30 at the door.

Categories: Adult Focused Events Arts and Entertainment Music Concerts Non-Profit Fundraising Events Outdoor Recreation

May

Fri

Spring Wine Walk @ Downtown Bellingham

May 10 @ 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm

Meander around 19 shops as they host pop-up tasting rooms showcasing an array of regional wines. As an attendee, you’ll receive tasting tickets to redeem for samples of the wines of your choice, and if you find a favorite, you can take a bottle (or two!) home by making a purchase right at the tasting location.

Treat yourself to a VIP ticket to enjoy a breezy early check-in and reception at Aslan Depot from 4:30-6:30pm where you will sip on a complimentary glass of exclusive VIP natural wine selections, snack, and mingle with your friends and other attendees. Tickets are on sale now for a night of sipping and shopping local! ????

All proceeds from this event support the Downtown Bellingham Partnership, a 501(c)3 non-profit.

Categories: Adult Focused Events Festivals, Expos & Parades Food & Beverage Non-Profit Fundraising Events Seasonal and Holiday Events

May

Sun

Spring Foraging & Outdoor Cooking with Northwest Natura @ Maple Falls

May 12 @ 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm

Join Naturalist, Jazmen Yoder on a day of foraging out in the woods. This course will take place on private and public property approximately 2 miles from of Maple Falls. Location is subject to change based on seasonal anomalies such as delayed sprouting.

This is a great event to be out in nature on Mothers Day!

We will be foraging nettles and other edible or medicinal plants, in addition to any edible mushrooms we may find. For each species, expect short discourse on it’s edibility or medicinal properties, how to prepare it for medicine or food, and information on its ecology.

Expect moderate walking/hiking with frequent stops, self-led exploration, and a lesson in ethical foraging on public lands.

The last half of the class, we will build a fire and cook together using nettles. I will show you 2 recipes and make suggestions for several others.

This will be a fun outing!

Please register via the website.

Categories: Education Outdoor Recreation Workshops, Classes and Lectures Tags: Foraging outdoor cooking spring

Trees of the PNW: A Wildcrafting Series with Northwest Natura

Jun 1 @ 3:00 pm – 7:30 pm

This series is designed for individuals at any skill level who are interested in learning more about trees and wildcrafting skills.

Each class will incorporate guided note-taking and hands-on experience that will familiarize you with various trees of the Pacific Northwest.

Overall, we will be moving at a slow pace during each outing as we focus on our surroundings and have mini lectures, and the second half of class will generally be stationary to engage in crafts and activities.

Expect some gentle to moderate hiking, and some kneeling or squatting.

Each class will build on the previous one. For more details, keep reading!

Day 1: An Evening at the Lake: Birch Bark Candles
Saturday June 1st, 2024

(Details on location will be sent to registered participants only).

This is an introductory class to common tree species and a wildcrafting course using several species of trees including Douglas-Fir, Paper Birch and Western Redcedar.

What to expect:

First Half: We will begin the series with an introduction to common trees and general concepts about tree adaptations to better appreciate the materials we’ll be working with in the second half of class.

Second Half: Each person will craft their own primitive candle using bark, resin, roots, and wood.

Please register via the website.

Categories: Education Outdoor Recreation Workshops, Classes and Lectures Tags: Bushcraft hiking PNWtrees wildcrafting

Wander to Wander 1K @ Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center

Jun 8 @ 11:00 am – 1:00 pm

Mark your calendars for the Wander to Wander 1k on Saturday, June 8th, 2024! Learn more and Register at https://www.whatcomdrc.org/wander-to-wander

This Bellingham-based fun run benefits the Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center and is hosted by Wander Brewing. Beginning with donuts at the WDRC office, participants will
‘wander’ (or sprint) along the route to Wander Brewing. At the finish, enjoy a complimentary pint of beer (or root beer), food trucks, and the fanfare of this exciting
race!

Costumes are encouraged. All ages, abilities, as well as pets are welcome. We hope you will join in the fun and support the WDRC! This event is ADA accessible and volunteers will be available to support racers who need assistance.

General Registration: $20
Youth Ages 10 and Under: FREE!

Categories: Family Events Kids Non-Profit Fundraising Events Outdoor Recreation Tags: #accessible #funrun Race

Sun

Bushcraft Basics – Shelter Building with Northwest Natura @ Maple Falls

Jun 9 @ 12:00 pm – 5:30 pm

This course will take place on Northwest Natura’s private forest land in Whatcom County off Highway 542 near Maple Falls, WA. Driving directions and details on what to bring with you will be provided in an email as the event date approaches.

Bushcraft is a term used to describe the practice of skills which aid in living outdoors. Here are the skills we will cover in this crash course:

Survival Basics focused on Shelter

Shelter – survival shelter construction

Fire making without a lighter

Knot-tying and lashing basics.

Tools of the trade and practice using them.

Knife and ax skills

We will practice all of these skills together in this full-day course. Knives and ferro rods provided for the day.

You are encouraged to bring your own outdoor tools such as a knife, ax, fire starter, tarp, containers (pots, water bottles), paracord, first aid kit, etc. so you can practice with your kit. I can answer any questions about your gear and help you troubleshoot issues you may have with them.

Space is limited to 10.

Please register via the website.

Categories: Education Outdoor Recreation Workshops, Classes and Lectures Tags: #survivalskills Bushcraft shelter building

Trees of the PNW: A Wildcrafting Series with Northwest Natura (Day 2)

Jun 15 @ 3:00 pm – 7:30 pm

This is day 2 of the series.

This series is designed for individuals at any skill level who are interested in learning more about trees and wildcrafting skills.

Each class will incorporate guided note-taking and hands-on experience that will familiarize you with various trees of the Pacific Northwest.

Expect some gentle to moderate hiking, and some kneeling or squatting.

Each class will build on the previous one. For more details, keep reading!

This is a deep dive into more mixed forest species and a wildcrafting course using Pacific Willow or Vine Maple, and Western Redcedar.

What to expect:

First Half: We will wander along a forest road and onto random footpaths along the Nooksack River, observing tree species and searching for the perfect materials to use in the second half of class. This class will be accessible while incorporating wandering and choosing paths at random based on resources and curiosity.

Second Half: Using Western Redcedar from the forest, learn how to make traditional cordage. Using willow stems from the riverbank, enjoy the view while you craft a decorative ring to be hung up in your garden, your front door, or elsewhere to be admired. Extra decorating materials will be provided. An email with ideas of what you may want to bring for decorations will be sent to you a few days prior to the event.

***Please register via the website.

Categories: Education Outdoor Recreation Workshops, Classes and Lectures Tags: Bushcraft hiking pnw trees wildcrafting

Tidepools, Lichens & Ferns with Northwest Natura @ Deception Pass State Park

Jun 22 @ 10:30 am – 1:00 pm

Join botanist and naturalist, Jazmen Yoder on a walk at one of the most beautiful coastal parks in the Pacific Northwest. There will be an emphasis on learning about creatures in the tidepools, lichens and ferns, but you will learn a lot about other plants, fungi, edible seaweeds, and coast ecology through exploration of tidepools at low tide. Bring your camera, come for the knowledge, and stay for the views! This is a unique field trip offering you’ll remember forever.

Space is limited. Please register via the website.

Categories: Education Outdoor Recreation Workshops, Classes and Lectures Tags: ecology Exploration lichen tidepools

Sun

(Day 3 of) Spring Naturalist Series: Botany & Nature Awareness with Northwest Natura @ Anacortes, WA

Jun 23 @ 11:30 am – 5:00 pm

This is day THREE of this series.

The series is designed for individuals at any skill level who are interested in having fun outdoors learning about PNW plants, wildlife, tidepools, bogs, natural history, foraging, and a bit of photography.

Each class will incorporate hands-on experience and photo prompts to deepen your awareness of the natural world and augment your curiosity.

Overall, we will be moving at a slow pace during each outing as we focus on our surroundings, have mini lectures, or engage in activities.

Expect some gentle to moderate hiking, and some kneeling or squatting.

Each class will build on the previous one. For more details, go to the website.

Categories: Education Outdoor Recreation Workshops, Classes and Lectures Tags: ethnobotany pnw

Trees of the PNW: A Wildcrafting Series with Northwest Natura (Day 3)