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
May – June 2024 May – Jun 2024
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May
25
Sat
Orcas of the Salish Sea: A Crash Course in Ecology @ Chuckanut Center
Tickets
May 25 @ 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Orcas of the Salish Sea: A Crash Course in Ecology @ Chuckanut Center

Join Jazmen Yoder (Northwest Natura) & Madelaine Katz for an ecology crash course complete with captivating storytelling and bounteous wisdom-sharing on Southern Resident and Transient Killer Whales, and the Salish Sea Bioregion.

In this course you will learn:

Salish Sea natural history, including human history and the interconnectedness of species on land and sea.

Orca symbolism and lore within the Coast Salish region

Morphological traits, behaviors, and social structures of Orcas

Salmon species basic life history and phenology

Ecological roles, impacts, and new facts about Southern Resident and Transient Killer Whales

To hear and discern different Orca vocalizations

How to ID individual orcas by their unique features

How to support Orca conservation efforts

Tips for whale watching (where to go, what to look for, how to ID individuals, and more).

This course will be co-led by Madelaine Katz, a nature educator and student of the Salish Sea, and Jazmen Yoder, outdoor educator, naturalist, and founder of Northwest Natura.

The entire class 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 website.

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Categories: Education Local History Workshops, Classes and Lectures Tags: ecology marine ecology orca pnw salish
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
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)
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
Tidepools, Lichens & Ferns with Northwest Natura @ Deception Pass State Park
Tickets
Jun 22 @ 10:30 am – 1:00 pm
Tidepools, Lichens & Ferns with Northwest Natura @ Deception Pass State Park

Join botanist and naturalist, Jazmen Yoder on a walk at one of the most beautiful coastal parks in the Pacific Northwest. There will be an emphasis on learning about creatures in the tidepools, lichens and ferns, but you will learn a lot about other plants, fungi, edible seaweeds, and coast ecology through exploration of tidepools at low tide. 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 website.

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Categories: Education Outdoor Recreation Workshops, Classes and Lectures Tags: ecology Exploration lichen tidepools
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
May – June 2024 May – Jun 2024