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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 2025 May 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
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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Read more
Categories: Education Home & Garden Local History Outdoor Recreation Workshops, Classes and Lectures Tags: ethnobotany Foraging pnw hiking wildlife
May 2025 May 2025