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
Agenda
June – July 2024 Jun – Jul 2024
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Jun
1
Sat
Trees of the PNW: A Wildcrafting Series with Northwest Natura
Tickets
Jun 1 @ 3:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Trees of the PNW: A Wildcrafting Series with Northwest Natura

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.

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Categories: Education Outdoor Recreation Workshops, Classes and Lectures Tags: Bushcraft hiking PNWtrees wildcrafting
Jun
15
Sat
Trees of the PNW: A Wildcrafting Series with Northwest Natura (Day 2)
Tickets
Jun 15 @ 3:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Trees of the PNW: A Wildcrafting Series with Northwest Natura (Day 2)

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.

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!

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.

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Categories: Education Outdoor Recreation Workshops, Classes and Lectures Tags: Bushcraft hiking pnw trees wildcrafting
Jun
22
Sat
What’s the Point? @ Pt Whitehorn Marine Reserve County Park
Tickets
Jun 22 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
What's the Point? @ Pt Whitehorn Marine Reserve County Park

What’s the Point? Cherry Point! Please come to the Pt Whitehorn Marine Park for Whats the Point, a beach exploration event during a very low tide. It’s a great opportunity to explore this long beach and talk with naturalists who can help you get to know the community of animals and seaweeds that will be exposed and visible. Sandy tidepools, harbor seals relaxing on off-shore rocks, red rock crabs and sea stars hiding under rocks, all waiting for the tide to come back in. The shore of the Cherry Point Aquatic Reserve is an incredibly beautiful and surprising place!

The event runs from 10-2 on Saturday, June 22nd. Low tide is at 12:12: -2.76’. Pam Borso, a member of both the Audubon and Native Plant Societies, will lead a bird and plant walk along the ¾ mile (accessible) trail to the beach beginning at 10:15. She is particularly good at identifying birds by their songs! Doug Clark, geology prof at WWU, will conduct a field tour on the beach at 11:00. Do you know how the beach we see today was formed? Come and find out!

There will be display booths: the Marine Mammal Stranding Network will have pelts of seals and sea lions to touch; kids can learn how watersheds work at the Whatcom Conservation District’s scale model; the Whatcom Marine Resource Committee can tell you about their effort to restore Olympic oysters; the Marine Life Center will regale you with their deep knowledge and excitement about the shoreline and the ocean. Many other organizations with interests in marine lands and issues will also be there.

Signs at Grandview and Jackson Rd will direct you to parking at BP’s lot at 7039 Jackson Rd. Blaine-Birch Bay Parks and Recreation will provide a shuttle from there to the Park, beginning at 9:45. The trail to the beach is packed gravel and accessible by wheelchair, and disabled parking is available at the Park parking lot. Whatcom County Parks does not allow dogs on this beach, so please do leave them at home. And don’t forget reef-safe sunscreen, water and snacks. You may not be ready to leave the beach when your belly tells you it’s lunch time!

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Categories: Family Events Tags: #FamilyFieldDays
Jun
29
Sat
Trees of the PNW: A Wildcrafting Series with Northwest Natura (Day 3)
Tickets
Jun 29 @ 2:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Trees of the PNW: A Wildcrafting Series with Northwest Natura (Day 3)

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 3-
First Half: Test your identification skills gained over the series.

Second Half: Harvest and process Red Alder and start a carving project with guidance. Bring a saw and a hatchet if you have one, and spoon-carving knives if you want to make a spoon. Bushcraft knives will be provided to everyone. Saws, axes, and spoon knives are limited but available to borrow.

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Registered individuals will receive details in an event-reminder emails a few days prior to each event with driving directions.

Please register via website.

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Categories: Education Outdoor Recreation Workshops, Classes and Lectures Tags: Bushcraft hiking pnw trees wildcrafting
Jul
13
Sat
Medicinal Plants & Wildcrafting Course with Northwest Natura @ Whatcom County, WA
Tickets
Jul 13 @ 2:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Medicinal Plants & Wildcrafting Course with Northwest Natura @ Whatcom County, WA

Please join naturalist and trained botanist, Jazmen Yoder in this medicinal plant and wildcrafting course focused on fireweed and stinging nettle. In this course you will learn several uses for these two amazingly useful plants.

There are so many uses for these two plants that they deserve their own intensive course. If you have an interest in herbalism and wildcrafting, this course is designed for you!

What to expect:

How and when to forage fireweed and stinging nettle

Ethnobotanical history

Ecology

How to make fireweed and nettle cordage

Wildcrafted tea

Associated plants (ID, ecology, ethnobotany)

What to Bring:
Dress for the weather

Comfortable shoes (hiking boots not necessary)

Snacks/lunch

Water

Sunscreen

Packable camp chair or blanket

Foraging basket

Scissors or a knife

Notepad and pen (optional)

Class size is limited

Registered individuals will receive details on location in an event-reminder email in the week leading up to the event. Please register via the website.

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Categories: Education Health & Wellness Local History Outdoor Recreation Workshops, Classes and Lectures Tags: botany ethnobotany Foraging nettles wildcrafting
June – July 2024 Jun – Jul 2024