The WhatcomTalk Events Calendar shares things to do around Whatcom County including Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden, Blaine and beyond. Find fun activities and adventures throughout the region on our comprehensive events calendar. Have an event that isn’t listed? Click the green “Post your Event” button and our editors will review and approve within two business days.
Plant trees and battle invasive species and become part of Whatcom Land Trust’s dynamic habitat restoration project on Maple Creek. Help resurrect a wetland and learn about how beavers help salmon. WLT’s work parties are a great way for families to participate in taking care of our natural community! WLT always provides gloves, tools and snacks, but feel free to bring your favorites, and even a picnic for afterward. RUBBER BOOTS RECOMMENDED. For more information, see WLT’s website or email us!
Join NSEA and the Port of Bellingham to remove invasive vegetation and clean-up this lower section of Squalicum Creek. Parking is available at Squalicum Park, 1001 Squalicum Way off the Squalicum Parkway. Look for signs and the blue NSEA tent.
Join NSEA and Bellingham Parks in restoring this section of Squalicum Creek. We will plant native trees, remove invasive weeds, and spread mulch. Park in the lower Bellingham Technical College parking lot and follow the NSEA signs.
Join NSEA and the Whatcom Land Trust to plant native trees and shrubs along the S Fork Nooksack River near Acme WA. From Bellingham, head east on Mt. Baker HWY (SR 542) for about 15 miles. Turn right onto HWY 9, just outside of Deming, and follow for about 7 miles. Turn right onto Turkington Rd. Parking and shuttles are located at the Acme Elementary school.
Help Bellingham Parks and NSEA remove invasive plants, plant and mulch to improve salmon habitat. Meet at the north end of C St. near the BTC Fisheries campus; access from Holly St.
Wednesday, September 14th 5-6 pm at the Bellingham Public Library. Interested in becoming a volunteer tutor? Come hear a short presentation on the Whatcom Literacy Council. Current volunteers are encouraged to attend so we can say THANK YOU with cake and punch, and also so you can share YOUR stories with prospective volunteers.
Calling all Trail Builders, Mountain Bikers, Hikers and Galbraith Mountain lovers! We need volunteers! Join us for our first trail building day on our recently adopted, well-loved Cedar Dust on Galbraith Mountain.
This is a family-friendly event! We’re bringing along our house-made Root Beer and lunch for our helpers and will be hosting kid-friendly and adult-friendly egg hunts!
Ready to volunteer? Please email Jenny@bbaybrewery.com
Volunteers can meet us at the Samish Parking Lot (4994 Samish Way) at 9 a.m. Be sure to wear good footwear, pants and bring a water bottle!
The Birch Bay Music Festival is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization raising money for our local no-kill animal rescues. This is our 7th year putting on this FREE 3 day event. Festivities include live music by 20+ bands, a beer and wine garden, event T-Shirts, food vendors, arts and crafts vendors and a raffle of the hand crafted D’Haitre guitar by Andy Beech with Seahawk inspired artwork by Frank Dooley. Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit local non profit dog and cat rescues Happy Tails Happy Homes and Rescued Hearts Northwest. BBMF is a 100% volunteer run organization including the generous bands that donate their talents and time to support our cause. Your fur friends are welcome to attend (on leash for safety). August 4, 5, 6 2017. Friday 2 p.m. – 10 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
The Birch Bay Music Festival is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization raising money for our local no-kill animal rescues. This is our 7th year putting on this FREE 3 day event. Festivities include live music by 20+ bands, a beer and wine garden, event T-Shirts, food vendors, arts and crafts vendors and a raffle of the hand crafted D’Haitre guitar by Andy Beech with Seahawk inspired artwork by Frank Dooley. Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit local non profit dog and cat rescues Happy Tails Happy Homes and Rescued Hearts Northwest. BBMF is a 100% volunteer run organization including the generous bands that donate their talents and time to support our cause. Your fur friends are welcome to attend (on leash for safety). August 4, 5, 6 2017. Friday 2 p.m. – 10 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
The Birch Bay Music Festival is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization raising money for our local no-kill animal rescues. This is our 7th year putting on this FREE 3 day event. Festivities include live music by 20+ bands, a beer and wine garden, event T-Shirts, food vendors, arts and crafts vendors and a raffle of the hand crafted D’Haitre guitar by Andy Beech with Seahawk inspired artwork by Frank Dooley. Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit local non profit dog and cat rescues Happy Tails Happy Homes and Rescued Hearts Northwest. BBMF is a 100% volunteer run organization including the generous bands that donate their talents and time to support our cause. Your fur friends are welcome to attend (on leash for safety). August 4, 5, 6 2017. Friday 2 p.m. – 10 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Learn how to make a pattern resist to fit your head, and use up-cycled fabrics and wool to create a fun, textural, classy (or any style you like) felt hat. Various styles will be presented as samples for the class, including some that might be worn for Halloween! Participants will finish up by learning about shaping your damp hat. Note: There will be no set lunch break, so please bring snacks and/or lunch to eat during class. Register in store or online.
Come learn how to upcycle a sweater into a warm and beautiful pair of fingerless gloves. Cashmere, merino wool and lambswool sweaters make for cozy and fashionable autumn or winter accessory. Needle felting adds a touch of wool embroidery that makes for a one-of-a-kind piece of wearable art. Materials available for purchase at Ragfinery. Shop well in advance for best selection. Register in store or online.
Pickford Film Center is hosting the NY Cat Film Festival, presented by Tracie Hotchner and the Radio Pet Lady Network. This Festival premieres in New York and then travels the country to spread a feline-frenzy to select theaters. The Pickford is lucky enough to host it. Plan for a fun afternoon with a cat-photo contest, tabeling by various organizations with cat-friendly information and services, temporary tattoos and more!
You are invited to our first Mathical Hour volunteer recruitment social on Thursday, September 27 at Brandywine Kitchen. **Be sure to arrive early to purchase your happy hour drink/snacks!
Come learn how YOU can get involved with opening Mathical Adventures, a newly forming nonprofit, in Bellingham.
Our vision is a world where everyone is comfortable with the math in their daily life. To bring this vision into reality, we will be providing opportunities for our community to experience the joy of math.
Mathical Adventures is working to change the way our culture views math by making math more accessible, engaging and enjoyable.
Learn more at www.mathicaladventures.org
All ages welcome at the Mathical Hour. No need to RSVP.
If you are not able to attend – but want to get involved, contact us at info@mathicaladventures.org
We’re looking for volunteers! Come to our month Volunteer Orientation every first Saturdays of the month at 11am.
Bellingham Makerspace is a volunteer-run, non-profit creative workshop that provides access to tools, education, technology, professional development, and a vibrant community of collaborative people- Makers.
Active membership, classes, and donations allow us to continue to provide this valuable resource to the community. We encourage people to share their skills and interests through volunteering, teaching, and/or membership.
Potential sources of pollution aren’t always obvious. Is something on the ground near water that seems like it shouldn’t be? Is something other than water making its way down a storm drain? Pollution Prevention Specialist Kirsten McDade will lead a workshop on using the Water Reporter app to help you monitor pollution — anywhere, anytime.
Read more about the Water Reporter app here: http://www.re-sources.org/blog/cleanwater/howasmartphoneappcantrackandcleanuppollution
#OptOutside and skip the big box stores with RE Sources, Surfrider, and REI on Black Friday!
Get outside, clean up marine debris and protect our waterways instead of buying more things that will eventually become even MORE ocean litter.
This is a family-friendly event, and REI will hold drawings for a chance to win cool prizes. We’ll bring all the cleanup supplies. Be sure to dress for the weather, including walking on the rocky beach. For more information, email nws@surfrider.org or call (215) 287-0043.
Exact location: https://www.google.com/maps/dir//48.7562183,-122.4924387/@48.7604794,-122.5069078,15z/data=!4m2!4m1!3e0
Learn about trauma, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), social justice when volunteering, local resources, common reasons for homelessness, and more. Our goal is to help you feel more confident and comfortable when you volunteer at any local organization serving people who have experienced trauma.
This training has been made possible by funding from Whatcom Community Foundation.
WHEN: Sat. January 23, 10am-12:30pm
WHERE: Zoom (online)
Register in advance for this free training: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAsfuqrqT0oH9QOjbK4xNcnE3mQguFFJ-AK . After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with info about joining the meeting.
For more info, visit our website: www.road2home.org/events or email info@road2home.org.
Fourth of July celebrations can leave a lot of trash around the marine environment. Help clean up our local shorelines and prevent ocean pollution!
**Space is limited for COVID safety — please RSVP at https://signup.com/go/EJDGnrO **
We’re cleaning up near the beautiful Cherry Point Aquatic Reserve this year. No need to stay for the whole 4 hours, come and go as your schedule allows! Cleanup supplies will be provided.
We’re meeting at:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/derelict+conveyor/@48.8540112,-122.7249418,15z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x5485be20d94762f7:0x73e902e9b7affd33!2sGulf+Rd,+Washington+98248!3b1!8m2!3d48.8507559!4d-122.7151773!3m4!1s0x54859587ae550f73:0xed382e5d3b1cb4ed!8m2!3d48.8560189!4d-122.7303782
Contact RE Sources’ Community Engagement Specialist Destiny at DestinyD@re-sources.org if you have any questions. See you on the beach!
Whatcom Land Trust’s Bell Creek Property hosts functioning salmon habitat including 1,800 feet of riparian forest along Bell Creek and the North Fork River, side channel complexes, and forested channel islands. The existing native trees and surrounding ground needs to be freed of invasive English ivy and hand pulling noxious vinca, which takes over native plants and reduces plant diversity.
RSVP is required, please visit our website for more details, directions, and to RSVP.
Our March cleanup theme is World Water Day, celebrated every year an annual United Nations Observance on March 22 started in 1993 to celebrate water and raise awareness of the 2 billion people currently living without access to safe water.
Join us on March 22nd from 12-2pm at Locust Beach (3199 Locust Ave, Bellingham). Bagels will be provided be The Bagelry! We provide cleanup supplies, just dress for the weather.
**RSVP at https://p2a.co/QVXwqRy. Not required, but helps us plan! **
Plastic pollution is a concern for water quality and wildlife everywhere, and has even been discovered in drinking water and table salt worldwide. Recent research found that Pacific Ocean juvenile fish have been consuming microplastic particles in their first days of life, with not-yet understood health consequences. This year’s World Water Day is focused on the importance of groundwater. Learn more at www.worldwaterday.org
Thank you for keeping waterways clean!
See a list of all monthly beach cleanups at re-sources.org/beach-cleanups. Please check our Events page to make sure the details are the same if you’re adding them to your calendar in advance.
Join RE Sources and Surfrider for our monthly trash cleanup at Locust Beach (3199 Locust Ave, Bellingham). Trash grabbers, gloves, and bags provided, and bagels provided by Bagelry.
To combat plastic pollution in the Salish Sea, we host beach cleanups — as well as cleanups along rivers and lakes — throughout Whatcom and Skagit counties, providing cleanup equipment and a place to connect with like-minded community members.
Plastic pollution is a concern for water quality and wildlife everywhere, and has even been discovered in drinking water and table salt worldwide. Recent research found that Pacific Ocean juvenile fish have been consuming microplastic particles in their first days of life, with not-yet understood health consequences. See our full list of 2022 monthly cleanups and mark your calendar at re-sources.org/events
Get cleanup updates by email! re-sources.org/sign-up
Hear from local scientists about their work relevant to the beloved Cherry Point Aquatic Reserve, and how we can better protect this ecologically, culturally and economically vital place. Topics will include oil spills, microplastics, and eelgrass and kelp restoration.
Presentation information:
—Microplastics: Novel Technology Enables Community Science Microplastics Monitoring on Sandy Shorelines of Vancouver Island, BC, Canada Iselle Flores Ruiz (she/her), Laboratory Manager/Analytical Scientist, Ocean Diagnostics (Victoria, BC). How can technology help community scientists monitor microplastic pollution in their local sandy beaches? Join Iselle to learn about new tools that community partners can use to collect microplastic data for their area.
—A tool to determine the long-term impacts of oil spills on the marine ecosystem in the Salish Sea: Raisha Lovindeer, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Mesoscale Ocean and Atmospheric Dynamics Research Group, Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences Department, University of British Columbia. Raisha Lovindeer is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of British Columbia. She holds a PhD in Earth System Science from the University of California, Irvine, and an MSc. in Marine Science from Stony Brook University. She has been working on human impacts to coastal waters for the last 15 years, including oil spill management and mitigation in government and industry in the Caribbean. Currently, she is in charge of transitioning the knowledge and expertise of the Salish Sea Atlantis model from development to operation.
—Kelp Restoration and How You Can Get Involved: Jessi Florendo, Puget Sound Restoration Fund. A discussion about local kelp restoration and what community members can do to support kelp health, which provides habitat, sequesters carbon and protects shorelines.
—Stressed-out seagrass: How disease and warming threaten a critical ecosystem: Lillian Aoki, PhD, Research Scientist, Data Science Initiative, University of Oregon. Eelgrass meadows provide essential coastal habitat, in the Salish Sea and around the world. Dr. Aoki will discuss how warming oceans affect this important habitat, and how outbreaks of disease in seagrass may be a warning sign of meadow decline.
Join NSEA and Bellingham Parks volunteers to continue restoration of salmon habitat in this historic area in Bellingham. A WNPS group will be adding mulch around our earlier plantings and removing invasive plants on the southeast bank of Whatcom Creek near the Native Plant Trail. Gloves and tools provided at the check-in area, near the BTC fish hatchery on the northeast bank of the creek at the end of C Street, off West Holly. Contact the event organizer with questions, or visit our website for more information.
The Koma Kulshan Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society regularly holds educational seminars, field trips, and volunteer opportunities.
Join NSEA and Bellingham Parks volunteers to continue restoration of native plant habitat in this historic area. The WNPS team will be adding plants and spreading mulch in bare areas and removing invasive plants, all on the southeast bank of Whatcom Creek near the Native Plant Trail. Gloves and tools provided at the check-in area.
Location: Check in near the BTC fish hatchery on the northwest bank of the creek at the end of C Street off West Holly.
Please visit our website at the link provided for more information.
While attending WNPS events, please observe these policies, in effect since March 2022. Please do not attend an event if either of the following are true:
– You currently have any COVID symptoms or have had symptoms in the past 14 days
– You have any reason to quarantine according to the CDC
WNPS event hosts will not facilitate carpooling. While participating in the event, maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from other participants, or wear a mask if approaching more closely.
