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
9
Sun
Bushcraft Basics – Shelter Building with Northwest Natura @ Maple Falls
Tickets
Jun 9 @ 12:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Bushcraft Basics - Shelter Building with Northwest Natura @ Maple Falls

This course will take place on Northwest Natura’s private forest land in Whatcom County off Highway 542 near Maple Falls, WA. Driving directions and details on what to bring with you will be provided in an email as the event date approaches.

Bushcraft is a term used to describe the practice of skills which aid in living outdoors. Here are the skills we will cover in this crash course:

Survival Basics focused on Shelter

Shelter – survival shelter construction

Fire making without a lighter

Knot-tying and lashing basics.

Tools of the trade and practice using them.

Knife and ax skills

We will practice all of these skills together in this full-day course. Knives and ferro rods provided for the day.

You are encouraged to bring your own outdoor tools such as a knife, ax, fire starter, tarp, containers (pots, water bottles), paracord, first aid kit, etc. so you can practice with your kit. I can answer any questions about your gear and help you troubleshoot issues you may have with them.

Space is limited to 10.

Please register via the website.

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Categories: Education Outdoor Recreation Workshops, Classes and Lectures Tags: #survivalskills Bushcraft shelter building
Jun
15
Sat
Trees of the PNW: A Wildcrafting Series with Northwest Natura (Day 2)
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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
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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
6
Sat
Summer Foraging & Outdoor Cooking with Northwest Natura @ Maple Falls
Tickets
Jul 6 @ 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Summer Foraging & Outdoor Cooking with Northwest Natura @ Maple Falls

Please Join Naturalist, Jazmen Yoder on a day of foraging out in the woods. This course will take place on private and public property approximately 2 miles from of Maple Falls. Location is subject to change based on seasonal anomalies such as delayed ripening.

We will be foraging berries and other edible or medicinal plants, in addition to any edible mushrooms we may find. For each species, expect short discourse on its edibility or medicinal properties, how to prepare it for medicine or food, and information on its ecology.

Expect moderate walking/hiking with frequent stops, self-led exploration, and a lesson in ethical foraging on public lands.

Using some of our foraged finds, we will cook or bake together over a fire, and we will make a delicious, ice-cold wildcrafted spritzer to enjoy in the summer heat.

This will be a fun outing!

(Please note the location is subject to change based on available plant forage. You will be notified ahead of time if anything changes, and location will not be anywhere outside of Whatcom County or too far off the original target. Thank you in advance for your flexibility and understanding.)

Things to bring with you to class:

Dress for the weather
Snacks and water
Foraging Basket or Bag
Mess kit (plate/bowl, fork/spoon, cup)
Notebook and pen (optional)
Camera (optional)
Your favorite field guide (optional)
Bug spray (optional)
Face mask or gaiter
Something to sit on (camp chair and/or blanket)

Please Register VIA the website. Registered individuals will receive an event-reminder email a few days prior to the event.

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Categories: Education Outdoor Recreation Workshops, Classes and Lectures Tags: Bushcraft Forage northwest natura outdoor cooking pnw hiking
June – July 2024 Jun – Jul 2024