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.
Forage for wild medicines and bolster your home-made apothecary! In this class, deep dive into winter plant allies through guided foraging, and stepwise instruction on wildcrafting them into useful medicines.
Students will practice identifying and crafting plant materials into handmade remedies for a variety of ailments, but especially immunity. They will work together or individually to create concoctions to take home.
This series is designed for individuals at any skill level who are interested in foraging, plant ID, herbalism, and wildcrafting.
Expect some gentle to moderate hiking, and some kneeling or squatting.
This course takes place outdoors, rain or shine. Please dress for the weather. There will be a shelter to craft our medicines under if it’s raining. Bring warm layers, enjoy a complimentary hot beverage, connect with the land, find community, and enjoy the winter in an exciting new way!
Foraging
Plant ID and medicinal plant and fungi discourse throughout the class
Wildcrafted salves and syrups
We will begin the series with an introduction to foraging medicinal wild plants and discussing native vs nonnative plant foraging etiquette. The second part of the day will be spent foraging for target medicinal plants which we will craft into salves and syrups in the final portion of this class.
More info and registration via the event website. Space is limited.
Come out and enjoy an afternoon learning survival firelighting and baking bread over a campfire with Northwest Natura!
This course is designed to be highly engaging with hands-on activities. Here’s what you can expect from this class:
Opportunities with Guidance on the following:
-Coaching and practicing firelighting with a ferro rod and/or flint and steel.
-Independent foraging; locating materials for fire making.
-Craft your own fire without a lighter using foraged materials.
-Learn my outdoor bread recipe to share with your friends and family.
-Preparing and baking (and eating!) 3 loaves between 3 small groups at camp.
I will direct but maintain a hands-off approach with this class so you can successfully make a fire in damp conditions and bake outdoors on your own in the future without guidance.
At every NWN class there is a sense of community. Expect bonding, laughter, and total joy in the woods!
The location of this course will take place on forested private land in Maple Falls. Registered Participants will receive driving directions and other information in an email sent 3-4 days prior to the event.
Please register via the website. Space is limited.
If you have dietary restrictions such as no dairy, please let us know ASAP so I can plan to accommodate you. Sorry, gluten free option is not available.
Come out and enjoy an afternoon learning survival firelighting and baking bread over a campfire with Northwest Natura!
This course is designed to be highly engaging with hands-on activities. Here’s what you can expect from this class:
Opportunities with Guidance on the following:
-Coaching and practicing firelighting with a ferro rod and/or flint and steel.
-Independent foraging; locating materials for fire making.
-Craft your own fire without a lighter using foraged materials.
-Learn my outdoor bread recipe to share with your friends and family.
-Preparing and baking (and eating!) 3 loaves between 3 small groups at camp.
I will direct but maintain a hands-off approach with this class so you can successfully make a fire in damp conditions and bake outdoors on your own in the future without guidance.
At every NWN class there is a sense of community. Expect bonding, laughter, and total joy in the woods!
The location of this course will take place on forested private land in Maple Falls. Registered Participants will receive driving directions and other information in an email sent 3-4 days prior to the event.
Please register via the website. Space is limited.
If you have dietary restrictions such as no dairy, please let us know ASAP so I can plan to accommodate you. Sorry, gluten free option is not available.
In this wildcrafting workshop you will learn how to weave a basket using the coil technique and Ponderosa Pine needles.
Weaving with pine needles and other coiled plant material is a practice ancient peoples from all continents implemented in day-to-day survival, conventional living, and art.
The technique requires patience and attention to detail before it becomes a relaxing, repetitive stitching pattern. It is a skill that is more easily learned with a little guidance.
Dabblers, beginners, intermediate, and advanced weavers will enjoy this creative, social gathering with Northwest Natura.
In this course you will learn:
ID and Ecology features of Pinus spp. (various pine tree species).
Foraging techniques and where to harvest pine needles.
How to weave a coiled basket using pine needles.
All materials will be provided but you are welcome to bring your own too if you wish (e.g., thread, beads, decor, sewing kit).
Please register via the event website.
Please join botanist and naturalist, Jazmen Yoder for this captivating crash course in tree evolution and biology followed by an interactive seminar on Pacific Northwest native tree species, and how to find the best mushroom hunting spots using your identification skills and knowledge about specific tree-fungi symbioses.
In this course you will learn how to identify the most common of our native tree species and become acquainted to them through stories and observation of physical characteristics.
This seminar is designed for beginners but would be an interesting class for people who know their trees already. You can expect fun quizzes and questions, hands-on learning, ethnobotanical facts, and mushrooming tips in this captivating lesson taking place on the Winter Solstice.
Topics include:
-Brief intro to trees – evolution and biology
-Northwest Trees – a list!
-Summary of common trees
-Activity: work alone or in groups
-Conifer ID
-Deciduous tree ID
-Interaction with tree samples
-Helpful quizzes and playful challenges
-Tree symbology and ethnobotany including Winter Solstice/Yule and Christmas traditions.
-Mushroom associations.
-Find the best mushrooms spots by knowing your trees.
-Q/A
***Please register via the website. Space is limited.
Join botanist and naturalist, Jazmen Yoder on a walk at one of the most stunning trail systems in the Pacific Northwest. In this course, learn the names and evolutionary history of lichens and how to categorize them. There will be an emphasis on learning about lichens, 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. Please register via the event website.
This course is designed for anyone interested in foraging, herbal medicine, and native plant identification.
Take an educational stroll through a central park in Bellingham to learn the medicinal benefits of several species of plants, how and when to harvest them, and foraging ethics and safety.
You will be amazed at how much we find and how much you’ll learn on this field trip!
Preparedness:
Dress for the weather
Walking shoes (hiking boots not necessary)
Snacks and water
Notebook and Pen (optional but recommended)
Well behaved dogs can join us but they need to be on a leash during the field trip.
Please register via the event website.
Fairhaven Park (100-acre woods) near Bellingham, WA
Join Naturalist, Jazmen Yoder on a gentle walk through the 100-acre Woods to learn about traditional and modern uses of PNW native plants.
We will go over how to ID several native plants and what their uses are (food, fiber, medicine, and shelter).
Things to bring with you to class:
Dress for the weather (warm outdoor clothing)
Snacks and water
Notebook and pen (optional)
Camera (optional)
Your favorite field guide (optional)
You will need good shoes for walking, but they don’t necessarily need to be hiking boots; the trail is well maintained.
Registered individuals will receive an event-reminder email a few days prior to the event.
Forage for wild medicines and bolster your home-made apothecary! In this class, deep dive into winter plant allies through guided foraging, and stepwise instruction on wildcrafting them into useful medicines.
Students will practice identifying and crafting medicines from cottonwood trees into handmade remedies for a variety of ailments. They will work together or individually to create concoctions to take home.
This series is designed for individuals at any skill level who are interested in foraging, plant ID, herbalism, and wildcrafting.
Expect some gentle to moderate hiking, and some kneeling or squatting.
This course takes place outdoors, rain or shine. Please dress for the weather. There will be a shelter to craft our medicines under if it’s raining. Bring warm layers, enjoy a complimentary hot beverage, connect with the land, find community, and enjoy the winter in an exciting new way!
Foraging
Plant ID and medicinal plant and fungi discourse throughout the class
Wildcrafted infusions (oils and tinctures)
We will begin the series with an introduction to foraging medicinal wild plants and discussing native vs nonnative plant foraging etiquette. The second part of the day will be spent foraging for target medicinal plants which we will craft into infusions in the final portion of this class.
Materials Provided by Northwest Natura (included in tuition):
Notebook and Pen
Quality olive oil
Quality alcohol for tinctures
Processing equipment
Not included:
Glass jars. Please bring two (2) small jars (8oz minimum, 12oz maximum)
Things to bring with you to class:
Two 8oz or 12oz jars
Foraging basket or bag
Snacks/Lunch and Water
Garden Gloves (optional)
Alternative oil you prefer such as jojoba, grapeseed, or other liquid oil (optional)
Dress for the weather
—————
Class will take place outdoors, up to 40 minutes outside of Bellingham. Precise location TBD as it is based on the presence of optimal resources and abundance. Directions and location information will be sent to registered participants a few days prior to the event.
Please register via the website.
Please join me for an engaging outdoor adventure exploring the fascinating world of symbiosis. Participants will learn about the unseen connections between trees and mushrooms, lichen and algae, and minute worlds inside tiny forests (mosses) we can hold in our hands.
This is a field trip where you will participate in an outdoor foray, collect specimens, forage for medicinal or edible species if they present themselves, practice ethical foraging tactics, and observe and ponder symbiotic relationships found in the woodland with a group of likeminded folks.
You’ll learn the ecological importance of various mushrooms and lichens, including indicators of environmental quality, and the various roles in nutrient cycling.
This class is suitable for all nature enthusiasts, beginner mycologists, and anyone interested in expanding their knowledge in PNW biology and the unique Salish Sea Bioregion. No prior experience is necessary – just a curiosity about the natural world!
Locations will be in a public forested area around Whatcom County. Precise details remain TBD as they are contingent on the fungi, but these trips will be no more than 1 hour outside of Bellingham. I will scout weekly to find the best locations and send you an email with location information 2-4 days before your event(s).
Please register via the event website.
Join Susan Kramer-Pope, Creative Process Facilitator, for a free introductory session on Friday, January 24th, from 1:00 to 2:00 pm to find out if the course, Access Creativity with First Impulse Painting, is a fit for you.
You’ll explore the resources you already possess to express your unique creative nature without the need for skill or talent, and get all your questions answered.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
For our first Zeitgeist ’25! online gathering we cast a look back at the movie people who took their final bows during 2024. It’s a strong roster of filmmakers who went to the big wrap party in the sky, from definitive actors such as James Earl Jones, Donald Sutherland, Gena Rowlands, and Maggie Smith, to specialized performers who embodied their time: Shelley Duvall, Bob Newhart, Teri Garr. Seattle’s own music legend Quincy Jones left us, and we’ll also recall the music and presence of Kris Kristofferson. And you better believe there’ll be an RIP for Roger Corman, B-movie mogul extraordinaire.
Admission is free. Registration is required: bit.ly/svzeitgeist
Join me in the woods along Bellingham’s beautiful coastline to learn all about lowland PNW trees: how to identify them, their historical significance, medicinal uses, and which ones you should know for mushroom foraging and finding the best spots for fungi diversity.
You will walk away with memorable mnemonics to help you recall names of trees based on their features, habitat, smell, and subtle quirks in this fun outing designed for adult learning.
What to Bring:
Dress for the weather
Snacks and water
Notepad and pen (optional)
Binoculars (optional)
Registered individuals will receive details on location in an event-reminder email a few days prior to the event.
Please register via the event website.
First-Time Homebuyer Class: Bust the Myths & Achieve Your Dream Home
Think you need 20% down to buy a home? Think again! Many first-time buyers believe this myth, and it keeps them from pursuing their dream of homeownership. Join us for an engaging and interactive First-Time Homebuyer Class at Movement Mortgage, where we’ll show you how programs from the Washington State Housing Finance Commission make owning a home more achievable than you ever thought possible.
What You’ll Learn:
• The truth about down payments and how you can buy a home with much less than 20%.
• How down payment assistance programs can bridge the gap, with options offering up to $40,000 in support.
• Real-world tips from trained lenders and inspiring speakers who know the ins and outs of homeownership.
• Practical steps to take today so you can move closer to your dream home tomorrow.
What You’ll Experience:
• Interactive games to make learning fun and engaging.
• A light lunch to keep you fueled while gaining valuable knowledge.
• Valuable handouts packed with tools and resources to guide your journey.
• A supportive, judgment-free space to ask questions and gain confidence.
Why Attend?
• Save Thousands: Learn how to leverage down payment assistance programs to reduce upfront costs.
• Low Commitment, Big Payoff: In just a few hours, you’ll gain the knowledge and tools to take your next steps confidently.
• Limited Spots Available: Don’t miss your chance to take part in this empowering class!
Event Details:
• Date: 2/1/25
• Time: 10:00-3:00
• Location: Movement Mortgage, 2200 Rimland Drive #250, Bellingham, WA 98226
• Cost: Free
Register Now!
Space is limited, and spots are filling fast. Visit www.andidyer.com/firsttimehomebuyerclass to secure your seat today!
Take this exciting step toward your dream of homeownership. We can’t wait to see you there and help you make it happen!
Come out and enjoy an afternoon learning survival firelighting and baking bread over a campfire with Northwest Natura!
This course is designed to be highly engaging with hands-on activities. Here’s what you can expect from this class:
Opportunities with Guidance on the following:
-Coaching and practicing firelighting with a ferro rod and/or flint and steel.
-Independent foraging; locating materials for fire making.
-Craft your own fire without a lighter using foraged materials.
-Learn my outdoor bread recipe to share with your friends and family.
-Preparing and baking (and eating!) 3 loaves between 3 small groups at camp.
I will direct but maintain a hands-off approach with this class so you can successfully make a fire in damp conditions and bake outdoors on your own in the future without guidance.
At every NWN class there is a sense of community. Expect bonding, laughter, and total joy in the woods!
The location of this course will take place on forested private land in Maple Falls. Registered Participants will receive driving directions and other information in an email sent 3-4 days prior to the event. Please register via the website.
If you have dietary restrictions such as no dairy, please let us know ASAP so I can plan to accommodate you. Sorry, gluten free option is not available.
In this wildcrafting workshop you will learn how to weave a basket using the coil technique and Ponderosa Pine needles.
Weaving with pine needles and other coiled plant material is a practice ancient peoples from all continents implemented in day-to-day survival, conventional living, and art.
The technique requires patience and attention to detail before it becomes a relaxing, repetitive stitching pattern. It is a skill that is more easily learned with a little guidance.
Dabblers, beginners, intermediate, and advanced weavers will enjoy this creative, social gathering with Northwest Natura.
In this course you will learn:
ID and Ecology features of Pinus spp. (various pine tree species).
Foraging techniques and where to harvest pine needles.
How to weave a coiled basket using pine needles.
All materials will be provided but you are welcome to bring your own too if you wish (e.g., thread, beads, decor, sewing kit).
What to bring:
Snacks/lunch
Pliers
Scissors
A plastic bag for storing your work
A larger bag for taking home handfuls of soaked pine needles
A hand towel
Journal and pen (optional)
Your own sewing kit and/or embroidery thread (optional)
This course will take place indoors at the Chuckanut Center near Fairhaven in Whatcom County, WA. The Chuckanut Center is heated and has access to facilities including a bathroom, full kitchen, and drinking water.
Please register via the event website.
Bellingham Public Library is partnering with WWU’s Sustainability Engagement Institute and the Center for Community Learning to bring back another round of the popular Learning Together Forums. These events bring our community together to talk about sustainability. All are welcome. Share your hopes and challenges related to creating a more sustainable region and meet others doing inspirational work. Participants will leave with new connections and opportunities for action. Forums are free and open to all. Snacks provided! No registration required. At this session, we’ll focus on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #13: Climate Action.
Access Creativity with First Impulse Painting
Join Susan Kramer-Pope, Creative Process Facilitator, for a free info session on Friday, February 7th, from 2:00 to 3:00 pm to find out if the course, Access Creativity with First Impulse Painting, is a fit for you.
You’ll explore the resources you already possess to express your unique creative nature without the need for skill or talent, and get all your questions answered.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Join me in the woods where waterfalls line the trails to learn all about upland PNW trees: how to identify them, their historical significance, and their symbiotic relationships with fungi.
You will walk away with memorable mnemonics to help you recall names of trees based on their features, habitat, smell, and subtle quirks in this fun outing designed for adult learning.
What to Bring:
Dress for the weather
Snacks and water
Notepad and pen (optional)
Binoculars (optional)
Registered individuals will receive details on location in an event-reminder email a few days prior to the event.
Please register via the event website.
Need some forest and river time? Join Naturalist, Jazmen Yoder on a day out on the river and in the woods to go tracking, find mushrooms, learn names of plants and fungi, observe animals, and just get away from it all in this special offering. This course is designed for anyone looking to ignore Valentine’s Day or celebrate in a new way this year.
This course will be unlike other NWN field trips as it’s more centered on wandering, socializing, observing, and provide opportunities to learn from others and share your own knowledge.
This offering is donation-based. Choose what you can afford. If you can’t afford the lowest donation right now, please email me nwnatura@gmail.com so I can accommodate you.
Northwest Natura Land is composed of mixed forests along the North Fork of the Nooksack River near Maple Falls. The land is privately owned. The riverside area is a popular thoroughfare for birds and mammals, and the river is populated with all types of salmon species.
Tracks last seen on the land: Cougar, Black Bear, Elk, Black-Tailed Deer, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle
Fungi last spotted nearby: Turkey Tail, lots of other bracket fungi, strange Ascomycetes galore, Witch’s Butters
Birds spotted recently: Ravens, eagles, dippers, kingfishers, and common songbirds
Other wildlife: Chum Salmon on their way upriver
This course is what you want it to be. As a group we can decide to play fun games, start a fire, spend all our time tracking and taking photos, or whatever. There are 4 hours to play around with and lots of space to explore.
Designed for adult individuals at any skill level who are interested in having fun outdoors this winter learning about plants, wildlife, wilderness skills, sustainable foraging, PNW winter ecology, and a bit of herbalism.
Each class will focus on both wilderness and naturalist skills to deepen your awareness of the natural world.
Lessons in this series:
Medicinal and Edible Plants and Fungi
Beginner Wildlife Track ID
Ecological Awareness
Fire building
PNW Ethnobotany
Winter Preparedness
Useful equipment and gear for outdoor adventures
Knife and ax skills
Each class will build on the previous one. For more details, keep reading!
The series will take place outdoors on Northwest Natura Land next to Nooksack River (North Fork) and Boulder Creek near Maple Falls, WA.
Day 2: Coniferous Woodland
Saturday February 15th, 2025
11:45am to 4:30pm
Maple Falls, WA
Conifer Tree ID
Medicinal uses and first aid
Ethnobotanical importance of dominant conifer trees
Wilderness Skills
Fire skills
Build a strong fire in winter weather in your group of 3 or 4 people.
Wildcrafted tea
Forage plants and fungi for your personalized wildcrafted tea
Tips and practice using wild plants in first aid
Plant/Fungi ID
“Quiz Yourself” (at your own pace in this side workshop)
Please register via the event website.
** All three days of this series is included in the course fee.
Bellingham Public Library is partnering with WWU’s Sustainability Engagement Institute and the Center for Community Learning to bring back another round of the popular Learning Together Forums. These events bring our community together to talk about sustainability. All are welcome. Share your hopes and challenges related to creating a more sustainable region and meet others doing inspirational work. Participants will leave with new connections and opportunities for action. Forums are free and open to all. Snacks provided! No registration required. At this session, we’ll focus on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #14: Life Below Water.
Please join naturalist, Jazmen Yoder (Northwest Natura) and expert wildlife tracker, Mark Thompson for an immersive day of exploration focused on wildlife track and sign in a stunning landscape near the Nooksack River. This course is designed for nature enthusiasts, aspiring naturalists, and anyone curious about the “big picture” of our local ecosystems, and improving their skills in identifying wildlife track and sign. This will be a fun course with tons of educational content!
Space is limited!
Course highlights:
Introduction to Tracking Techniques:
Learn the fundamentals of tracking including how to read animal signs, tracks, and behaviors. We’ll cover essentials for successful tracking in various terrains.
This course will be tailored to the individuals present but is designed as a beginner’s course. However, if you are not a beginner, this course is still choice. Mark Thompson is an expert tracker with the ability to teach all skill levels including absolute beginners to advanced or specialized individuals.
Identifying local species:
Discover the diverse wildlife of the PNW, including mammals and birds (and amphibians if we’re lucky!). Through field observations and discussions, you’ll gain insight into their habitats and behaviors.
Connecting with the ecosystem:
Observe plant-wildlife and fungi-wildlife relationships and see the ecosystem at work. From minute details we can learn what is happening in the bigger picture. Discussions will include points on habitat preservation and native plant conservation.
Whether you’re a beginner or have some experience, this course offers a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of the natural world. Prepare to explore the trails, connect with fellow nature lovers, and enhance your outdoor skills in the breathtaking Nooksack River valley.
Please register via the event website.
Who’s up for learning how to create a delicious brunch with a vegan twist? Join Pasado’s Safe Haven Chef Amy Webster for a delicious and fun menu delivered demonstration-style that’s sure to inspire you to host a vegan brunch of your own. You’ll be treated to tasty samples of each dish and a full coffee bar!
On the Menu:
Cheesy Breakfast Bake
Rice Paper Bakin’
Chocolate Donuts
PNW Cannasisters Body/Face Glitter Playshop and Makeup &
Accessories SWAP
Join us for a sparkling afternoon of creativity and self-expression at our upcoming Body/Face Glitter Playshop on February 23rd, from 1 PM to 3 PM! This playful gathering is designed for all skill levels, inviting participants to unleash their inner artist while exploring the enchanting world of body and face glitter.
In this hands-on playshop, you’ll learn techniques for applying glitter safely and creatively, transforming your skin into a canvas of shimmering art. Whether you want to shine bright for a special occasion, celebrate self-love, or simply have fun, this playshop will provide you with all the tools and guidance you need.
?Open to all genders 21+
What to Expect:
?Glitter Application Techniques: Discover various methods to apply glitter effectively and safely.
?Creative Expression: Use your imagination to create stunning designs that reflect your unique style.
? Make & Take glitter
?Community Connection: Meet fellow glitter enthusiasts and share ideas in a supportive, joyful environment.
?What to bring.
? Your authentic self
?A mirror
? Munchies to share
? Something to elevate with if you elevate.
? Makeup, cosmetics, accessories, self care items to swap ( a small bag or box) Items left will be donated to La Segunda Thrift Store that helps DV survivors.
?A bag / box for your SWAP items
All Materials Provided:We will supply a variety of glitters, tools, reclaimed containers, and skin-safe gel, so just bring your creativity!
Don’t miss this chance to add a little sparkle to your life! RSVP today and prepare to shine at the PNW Cannasisters Body/Face Glitter Playshop!
