Community Calendar and Information Hub

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.

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Agenda
May – September 2025 May – Sep 2025
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May
4
Sun
Spring Naturalist Series (Day 1): Plants of the Pacific Northwest w/ Northwest Natura @ Washington Park
Tickets
May 4 @ 12:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Spring Naturalist Series (Day 1): Plants of the Pacific Northwest w/ Northwest Natura @ Washington Park

This two-part series is designed for adults (16+) at any skill level that are interested in having fun outdoors learning more about flora, fauna, and natural history of the Pacific Northwest. We will meet two times during the month of May in Skagit County parks, focusing on universal botany wisdom, and ethnobotany of the PNW.

Each class will give you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the ecosystem, learn names of plants, lichens, mushrooms, and engage in hands-on learning to deepen your awareness of the natural world.

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.

We’ll begin with an intro to botany so we can comfortably start using botanical terminology during this series. You will use samples of flowers and leaves to make observations of various structures and sketch them into a field notebook.

The second part of the class will be a walk in the woods, finding “signs of spring” while focusing on two plant families, the Roses and the Heaths (two very diverse and abundant groups).

During this segment you can expect to gain experience in:
-Plant ID
-Plant anatomy
-Plant taxonomy

You can also expect:
-Ethnobotany lesson
-Optional tidepool exploration
-Foraging tips on edible species
-Coastal views
-Wildlife and Bird sightings
-Relaxed community atmosphere
-Gentle walking in a beautiful park setting

Please register via the event website.

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Categories: Education Health & Wellness Home & Garden Local History Outdoor Recreation Workshops, Classes and Lectures Tags: ecosystem ethnobotany Foraging lichen moss pnw pnw hiking wildlife
May
9
Fri
Edible Plant Identification in the Chuckanuts with Northwest Natura @ Chuckanut Mountain (Trail TBD)
Tickets
May 9 @ 12:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Edible Plant Identification in the Chuckanuts with Northwest Natura @ Chuckanut Mountain (Trail TBD)

Join Naturalist,Jazmen Yoder on a hike along one of the Chuckanut Mountain trails to get outdoors in early spring and learn the names and flavors of edible plants as we go.

The trailhead is TBD based on abundant species. Expect some elevation gain but keep in mind we’ll be stopping frequently to botanize and learn about edible plant species.

Things to bring with you to class:
-Dress for the weather (warm outdoor clothing)
-Hiking shoes
-Snacks and water
-Notebook and pen (optional)
-Camera (optional)
-Your favorite field guide (optional)

Registered individuals will receive an email a 3-5 days prior to the event with trail info, driving directions, weather forecast, and a reminder of what to bring with you.

Please register via the event website.

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Categories: Education Food & Beverage Health & Wellness Home & Garden Local History Outdoor Recreation Workshops, Classes and Lectures Tags: #getoutdoors edible plants Foraging pnw ethnobotany spring survival skills
May
10
Sat
Ethnobotany Tour at Sugarloaf Mountain w/ Northwest Natura @ Sugarloaf Mountain Trailhead
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May 10 @ 12:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Ethnobotany Tour at Sugarloaf Mountain w/ Northwest Natura @ Sugarloaf Mountain Trailhead

Join Salish Sea Naturalist and Outdoor Educator, Jazmen Yoder on a hike to Sugarloaf Mountaintop while learning about traditional and modern uses of PNW native plants.

Anacortes Community Forest has incredible plant diversity. This tour will focus on edible and medicinal coastal prairie and mixed forest plant species and show you how to identify them. You will learn a ton about each plant including edible and medicinal uses, and traditional harvest, cooking, and agricultural techniques.

There is some elevation gain on this hike, but we will be stopping frequently to botanize.

Key takeaways:
-Plant identification skills
-Learn which species would be appropriate to forage for food or medicine and which should be left alone and admired based on their ecological role, restoration status, and/or cultural significance to indigenous peoples.
-Guided plant identification notes from the instructor using a whiteboard at each stop
-Find community outdoors with nature-loving folks on this hike through the forest to Salish Sea vistas!

Please register via the event website.

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Categories: Education Health & Wellness Home & Garden Local History Outdoor Recreation Workshops, Classes and Lectures Tags: agriculture ethnobotany Foraging harvesting herbs hiking local plants survival skills
May
17
Sat
Pine Needle Basketry – A Wildcrafter’s Workshop with Northwest Natura @ Chuckanut Center
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May 17 @ 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Pine Needle Basketry - A Wildcrafter's Workshop with Northwest Natura @ Chuckanut Center

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.

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Categories: Arts and Entertainment Education Home & Garden Local History Workshops, Classes and Lectures Tags: basketry lost arts pine needles pnw ethnobotany weaving
May
18
Sun
Spring Naturalist Series (Day 2): Plants of the Pacific Northwest with Northwest Natura @ Deception Pass State Park or Anacortes Community Forest
Tickets
May 18 @ 12:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Spring Naturalist Series (Day 2): Plants of the Pacific Northwest with Northwest Natura @ Deception Pass State Park or Anacortes Community Forest

This two-part series is designed for adults (16+) at any skill level that are interested in having fun outdoors learning more about flora, fauna, and natural history of the Pacific Northwest. We will meet two times during the month of May in Skagit County parks, focusing on universal botany wisdom, and ethnobotany of the PNW.

Each class will give you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the ecosystem, learn names of plants, lichens, mushrooms, and engage in hands-on learning to deepen your awareness of the natural world.

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.

Day 2: Ethnobotany of the Pacific Northwest Coast
This course will begin with a lecture-style intro to prehistory of the Pacific Northwest coupled with a robust acknowledgement of the peoples who have lived on and tended to the land for time immemorial.

Amble along the trail with breath-taking flora and coastal views and learn about traditional uses of plants, Indigenous agricultural practices, kin-centric ecological connections between plants and people, and so much more in this immersive walkabout focused on ethnobotany of the PNW Coast.

You can also expect:
-Foraging tips on edible species
-Wildlife and Bird sightings
-Relaxed community atmosphere
-Leisurely hiking in a beautiful park setting (expect some elevation gain but note that we will be pausing on the trail frequently)

Please register via the event website.

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Categories: Education Home & Garden Local History Outdoor Recreation Workshops, Classes and Lectures Tags: ethnobotany Foraging pnw hiking wildlife
May
24
Sat
Bushcraft Basics: Fire & Shelter Building with Northwest Natura @ Northwest Natura Private Land
Tickets
May 24 @ 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Bushcraft Basics: Fire & Shelter Building with Northwest Natura @ Northwest Natura Private Land

This course will take place on Private Land in Whatcom County off Highway 542 next to Boulder Creek ~2 miles east of Maple Falls, WA.

The skills we will cover in this outdoor workshop include:
-An Introduction to Bushcraft in the Pacific Northwest
-Survival priorities

Activities:
-Knots
-Shelter construction from raw materials
-Second shelter construction: simple tarp deployment
-Knife, ax, and saw practice with guidance if needed
-Fire-making tutorial using foraged materials and no lighter
-Use a ferro rod or flint & steel.
*Optional to make tea over a fire using wild edible/medicinal plants.

We will practice all of these skills together in this full-day course.

Northwest Natura is providing day-use materials including:

Morakniv 511 knives
Ferrocerium rods and strikers
Fire resources (wood, tinder)
Saws (limited number)
Axes (limited number)
Tarps, paracord, and other shelter supplies
Demo Equipment; examples of several kit items

More details provided via the event website.
Please register via the event website.

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Categories: Education Food & Beverage Health & Wellness Home & Garden Outdoor Recreation Workshops, Classes and Lectures Tags: axe skills Bushcraft ethnobotany Foraging shelter building survival skills wildcrafting
May
25
Sun
Bushcraft Basics: Natural Cordage with Northwest Natura @ Northwest Natura Private Land
Tickets
May 25 @ 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Bushcraft Basics: Natural Cordage with Northwest Natura @ Northwest Natura Private Land

The Bushcraft Basics series by Northwest Natura teaches students practical outdoor skills like fire-making, shelter-building, knot-tying, and wildcrafting skills like weaving, making cordage, and more.

In this course you will learn how to make cordage using different plants that you forage.

Practice self reliance skills in this half-day course.

Key takeaways:
-Ethnobotany of various species of fiber plants
-How to harvest and process fiber from multiple species of plants
-Learn two techniques of twisting plant fibers into cords and ropes
-Improve your self-reliance skills in a casual group setting where you will meet folks who share your interests and love for nature.

***Please register via the event website.
More info available on the website as well.

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Categories: Education Home & Garden Local History Outdoor Recreation Workshops, Classes and Lectures Tags: Bushcraft camping cordage ethnobotany fire craft survival skills
Sep
13
Sat
Whatcom County Farm Tour @ See website for participating farms
Tickets
Sep 13 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Whatcom County Farm Tour @ See website for participating farms

The Whatcom County Farm Tour will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2025 from 10:00 AM-4:00 PM! Each of the locations will offer a unique opportunity to meet the folks who grow and raise our food and learn more about how that food makes it from the farm to our plate. This self-guided event is FREE for all ages! https://sustainableconnections.org/whatcom-county-farm-tour/

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Categories: Education Family Events Home & Garden Kids Outdoor Recreation
May – September 2025 May – Sep 2025