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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.

May
4
Sun
Spring Naturalist Series (Day 1): Plants of the Pacific Northwest w/ Northwest Natura @ Washington Park
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.