Work Party Planting Trees and Removing Invasive Blackberry @ Rutsatz Salmon Reserve
2025-11-08 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Join us for a fun day preparing the Rutsatz Salmon Reserve to thrive through the wet winter. We’ll be planting native trees and shrubs to restore habitat and removing invasive blackberry that has started to overtake earlier plantings. This stunning protected land lies between the North Fork Nooksack River and the Rutsatz Road and has an awe-inspiring floodplain, young forest, and active hay field. It is home to annual salmon runs, bald eagles, and the occasional elk herd. Come lend a hand and help us give these young plants their best chance at survival!
RSVP: Here!
What to Expect: Walking a short distance on uneven ground, bending, stooping, and digging.
How to Get There: Drive east on Mt. Baker Highway past Deming. Turn right and travel south on SR9 towards Sedro Woolley for½ mile. Cross the North Fork Bridge and turn left on Rutsatz Road. Travel east for¼ mile. The property is on the north side of the road. Access through the gate in the field. Coordinates.

Planting Work Party @ California Creek Estuary with Whatcom Conservation District and Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association
2025-11-22 09:00 - 12:00 | California Creek East
Join the Land Trust, Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association, and Whatcom Conservation District to make a lasting impact by planting new trees and caring for last year’s plantings at California Creek Estuary.
At the south end of Drayton Harbor near Blaine, the California Creek Estuary provides critical refuge for salmon, forage fish, and migrating shorebirds. For more than five years, Whatcom Land Trust has worked to protect and restore the sensitive coastal wetlands and forests surrounding the area, helping deliver clean, clear water to Drayton Harbor. Over time, hundreds of Land Trust volunteers have removed acres of invasive species and planted native trees. Last year’s Orca Recovery Day was also held here to improve habitat for Chinook Salmon, the primary food source for Washington’s Resident Orcas. Most recently, the Land Trust removed a structurally unsound building that threatened to pollute the area and degrade the estuary’s habitat.
See you on the land!
RSVP: Here
What to Expect: Bending, stooping, using tools to dig and cut, installing protective measures around the new plants (blue tubes), and walking on uneven ground.
Driving Directions: Parking will be at Blaine Middle School, with a shuttle to the work party site.
For questions, email: lauren.r@whatcomlandtrust.org

Huckleberry's Holiday Hoedown
2025-12-02 18:30 - 21:00 | Beach Cat Oasis, 1010 C St, Bellingham, WA, 98225, United States
You could stay home on Giving Tuesday, but as Huckleberry, the monthly giving G.O.A.T. would say na-a-a-a-a-a-h—it’s much more fun to meet us at the Hoedown!
Join Whatcom Land Trust for a boot-scootin’ good time as we celebrate GivingTuesday, a day dedicated to inspiring generosity, collaboration, and community spirit at Beach Cat’s new space in Bellingham: the Oasis. We’re taking it live so we can come together, kick up our heels with some line dancing (or tap our toes and watch from the sidelines), and enjoy live music from the talented Lynne Givler and Keith Carpenter. Not a dancer? No problem! We’ll have goat-themed puzzles for you to solve. Plus, Beach Cat will be serving up beverages and having a delicious food truck (Simmering Tava) on site to keep you fueled for fun.
For this special occasion, Lynne and Keith have created an original song all about our Monthly Giving mascot, Huckleberry the G.O.A.T. (Giver for Our Abundant Tomorrow). You won’t want to miss it!
The rundown:
Location: Beach Cat South Paw Oasis: 1010 C St, Bellingham, WA 98225

6:30–7:15 PM: Line dancing lessons with instructor Tierney O’Keefe (all skill levels (including no skill) welcome!)
7:15 PM: Put your new moves to the test as Lynne and Keith kick off more dancing with their original Huckleberry song, followed by more of their incredible music.

Warm up a winter night with friends, music, and dancing as we celebrate community and raise funds for local land conservation. And while you’re there, meet the real G.O.A.T.s—our Givers for Our Abundant Tomorrow! Become a monthly donor and join the herd protecting the lands we all love.

Field Friday Removing Invasive Species and Annual Site Visit @ Stimpson Family Nature Reserve
2025-12-05 08:00 - 16:00 | Stimpson Family Nature Reserve, 2076 Lake Louise Rd, Bellingham, WA, 98229, United States
Join us for International Volunteer Day at Stimpson Family Nature Reserve! Together, we’ll focus on removing invasive English holly, creeping buttercup, and herb Robert along the trail. We’ll also complete our annual site visit—a fun opportunity to explore parts of this beloved park you may not have seen before. Unlike our usual Field Fridays, which are capped at six volunteers, this event is open to twenty, so bring your friends! Come make a lasting impact and experience this incredible protected forest.
RSVP: This event is FULL. Please email lauren.r@whatcomlandtrust.org to get on the waitlist.
What to Expect: Bending, stooping, using tools to dig and cut, walking miles on uneven ground.
How to get there:
To join a carpool, register to ride with Land Trust Staff, or offer your vehicle to help others, sign up here.
For public transportation: From Bellingham Station, take the 8:40 a.m. Route 512 bus toward Sudden Valley. To return to town, take the 512 further into Sudden Valley before it loops back toward Bellingham.
Meet at the Stimpson Family Nature Reserve parking lot, 2076 Lake Louise Rd, Bellingham, WA 98229.

Cloud Mountain Community Meeting
2026-01-07 17:00 - 19:00 | Cloud Mountain Farm Center, 6906 Goodwin Rd, Everson, WA, 98247, United States
Join Whatcom Land Trust for a community meeting at 5 pm on Wednesday, January 7th, at Cloud Mountain Farm Center. Learn more about the transition, including the Land Trust’s plans for interim ownership and management.
Space is limited, so click here to RSVP and secure your spot.

Office Field Friday @ Whatcom Land Trust Office
2026-01-23 10:00 - 14:00 | Whatcom Land Trust Office, 412 N Commercial St., Bellingham, WA, 98225, United States
Join Whatcom Land Trust for a special Field Friday on a different kind of land trust land, our downtown Bellingham office. This space is our home base, where much of our behind-the-scenes work happens, and one we are excited to steward together, just like the lands we protect.
We will take on a variety of meaningful maintenance and organizational projects both indoors and outdoors. We can’t wait to see you there!
What to Expect: Bending, stooping, and potentially using tools. We suggest wearing attire that you don’t mind getting dirty.
RSVP: This event is FULL. Email Lauren to get on the waitlist: lauren.r@whatcomlandtrust.org

Site Visit, Boundary Marking, Trail Clearing, and Invasive Removal Field Friday @ Craver
2026-02-06 08:00 - 16:00 | Craver
Join Whatcom Land Trust staff for a Field Friday adventure at Craver. This truly unique site features Hutchinson Creek, a thriving forest, and an abundance of native wildlife. As part of our annual property monitoring visit, we’ll explore Craver’s winding game trails, taking in its natural beauty while tackling essential restoration work. Our tasks for the day include trail clearing and removing invasive vinca and blackberry. We can’t wait to see you out on the land for a day of exploration and impact!

Registration is REQUIRED for this event: Click here to register!
Once you register, additional details will be sent by our Volunteer Coordinator, Lauren Ralbovsky, a week to 4 days before the event. If you have questions in the meantime, email lauren.r@whatcomlandtrust.org.
What to Expect: Walking on uneven ground, cutting blackberry, pruning back plants from the trail, and pulling roots. Be prepared for muddy, potentially chilly conditions – boots are highly recommended!
How to get there: Field Fridays start at the Whatcom Land Trust office. 412 N Commercial St, Bellingham, WA 98225

Site Info: The Craver site was donated to Whatcom Land Trust by Ernie Craver in 1999. In 2000, the Land Trust planted around 20,000 trees to reforest the land following timber harvest in the mid-1990s. A major cleanup also took place in 2003, removing more than 65 vehicles, hundreds of yards of debris, and old mobile homes. Today, the forest continues to grow thanks to years of restoration work and volunteer commitment.

SOLD OUT! Photographer Paul Bannick on a Year in the Life of Woodpeckers
2026-02-17 18:30 - 19:45 | Whatcom Museum, 121 Prospect Street, Bellingham, WA, 98225, United States
Award-winning photographer Paul Bannick reveals the lives of North American woodpeckers through dramatic images and wildly rich stories.
Join Whatcom Land Trust, North Cascades Institute, and the North Cascades Audubon Society at the Whatcom Museum Old City Hall Rotunda Room for an engaging presentation by award-winning Photographer Paul Bannick based on his new book, Woodpecker: A Year in the Life of North American Woodpeckers. Through dramatic images and rich stories, Paul reveals the lives of woodpeckers over four seasons. His exploration of these impactful birds from the Arctic through southern Mexico details their shared behaviors as well as some surprising exceptions and adaptations. After the presentation, there will be a brief Q&A session, along with an opportunity to purchase his books and have them signed.
More information about Paul Bannick is available on his website.
Tickets: $17
Purchase tickets: We are sold out!
Check-in starts at: 6:00 PM
Location: Whatcom Museum Old City Hall Rotunda Room 121 Prospect Street Bellingham, WA 98225
North Cascades Audubon Society is offering a limited number of scholarships for tickets. To inquire, please email kendra.s@whatcomlandtrust.org.
A limited amount of free parking is available in the lot behind the Whatcom Museum. Street parking is available as well, and free after 6 p.m. The venue has a wheelchair accessible entrance via the rear (west side) basement entrance.

Restore Habitat @ Hundred Acre Wood with City of Bellingham
2026-02-28 09:00 - 12:00 | Hundred Acre Woods, 2520 24th St, Bellingham, WA, 98225, United States
Join Whatcom Land Trust and the City of Bellingham to kick off our Spring Work Party season by improving habitat at Hundred Acre Wood during National Invasive Species Awareness Week. This special site right outside of Fairhaven hosts beautiful trails that wind through Douglas firs, tall cedars, and cottonwoods. We will spend the day restoring wildlife habitat to protect wetlands and create a healthier, more resilient forest for wildlife and the community. We will have tea, coffee, and snacks, and all tools are provided.
We can’t wait to see you out on the land!

To register, please visit: https://www.volunteerbellingham.org/need/detail/?need_id=1172804
Once you register, additional details will be sent by our Volunteer Coordinator, Lauren Ralbovsky, 3–4 days before the event, including where to meet. If you have questions in the meantime, email lauren.r@whatcomlandtrust.org.
What to expect: Walking on uneven ground, digging using a shovel, clipping plants, and working outdoors.

Site Info: In 2023, Whatcom Land Trust created a new conservation easement protecting Hundred Acre Wood forever.

Invasive Plant Removal Field Friday @ Bell Creek
2026-03-06 08:00 - 16:00 | Bell Creek
Join us at Bell Creek for a Field Friday removing invasive species to protect vital habitat for Spring Chinook, Bull Trout, and other native wildlife. Make a lasting impact at beautiful Bell Creek!

Registration is REQUIRED for this event: This event is FULL. Email lauren.r@whatcomlandtrust.org to get on the waitlist.
Once you register, additional details will be sent by our Volunteer Coordinator, Lauren Ralbovsky, a week to 4 days before the event. If you have questions in the meantime, email lauren.r@whatcomlandtrust.org.
What to Expect: Walking on uneven ground, cutting blackberry, pruning trees, and pulling roots.
How to get there: Field Fridays start at the Whatcom Land Trust office. 412 N Commercial St, Bellingham, WA 98225

Site Info: Bell Creek is 25 acres of protected functioning salmon habitat that is frequented by a portion of the Nooksack herd of Roosevelt elk, bald eagles, and other native wildlife. It includes 1,800 feet nNearly one-third of a mile) of forest along the creek and North Fork Nooksack side channels. It was protected in 2006 with grant money from the Salmon Recovery Funding Board.

Planting Day @ Kelsey Nature Reserve
2026-03-07 09:00 - 12:00
Join us to plant native trees and shrubs at Kelsey Nature Reserve in Ferndale. With your help, we can continue building a resilient ecosystem for wildlife and future generations to enjoy. We will have tea, coffee, and snacks, and all tools are provided.
We hope to see you out on the land!

Registration is REQUIRED for this event: Click here to register! There will be a limit of 25 spots.
Once you register, additional details will be sent by our Volunteer Coordinator, Lauren Ralbovsky, 3–4 days before the event, including where to meet. If you have questions in the meantime, email lauren.r@whatcomlandtrust.org.
What to expect: Walking a longer distance on uneven ground, digging using a shovel, bending, stooping, pulling roots, and clipping plants.
How to get there: Directions will be sent out once you register. Kelsey is about 25 minutes from Bellingham. There will be limited parking, so please carpool if possible. Follow this link to join one! https://www.groupcarpool.com/t/ze6jav

Site Info: This special place was Whatcom Land Trust’s second protected property, donated by Ruth Kelsey in 1992. Since then, the Land Trust has expanded the reserve by adding a 51-acre parcel in 2024, which completes protection of the Lake Terrell shoreline through its connection with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife lands. Today, this protected land provides habitat for beaver, songbirds, coho, and many other native wildlife species. While important stewardship work has already taken place, there are still many opportunities for restoration.

Work Party Planting Trees @ Jensen Family Forest with Whatcom Million Trees
2026-03-29 12:00 - 15:00
Join the Land Trust and Whatcom Million Trees for a beautiful day at Jensen Family Forest near Custer, Washington, as we plant native trees and shrubs to enhance habitat. Every plant in the ground brings us one step closer to a more resilient future for Whatcom County. We can’t wait to see you there!

Register: Here
What to expect: Walking a short distance on uneven ground, bending, stooping, and digging.
How to get there: Address: 8051 Stein Road, Custer, WA 98240. From Bellingham, drive north on Interstate 5. Exit Interstate 5 and travel east on Birch Bay-Lynden Road. Travel 1 ½ miles east to Stein Road and turn right. Travel south on Stein Road for approximately 500 feet. The Jensen Family Forest Park trailhead is on the right.

Site info: Jensen Family Forest Park is a 23-acre treasure of towering Douglas-fir trees, some over a century old, generously donated to the community by Don and Judith Jensen through a conservation easement. After raising their three daughters among these magnificent trees, Don and Judith wanted to share this special place with the wider community. Today, through a partnership between Whatcom Land Trust and Whatcom County Parks, this forest remains protected forever for all to enjoy, honoring both the Jensen family’s generations of stewardship and their hope that others will find the same joy among these trees that they have cherished for so many years.

Blackberry Removal and Plant Maintenance Field Friday @ Spooner Creek
2026-04-03 08:00 - 16:00
Join us at the scenic Spooner Creek! Help us steward this 11.3-acre protected area by removing invasive Himalayan blackberry and other invasive species to support young growing native plants. We will also work on clearing the trails that wind through the forested area. We look forward to seeing you there!

Registration is REQUIRED for this event: Click here to register!
Once you register, additional details will be sent by our Volunteer Coordinator, Lauren Ralbovsky, a week to 4 days before the event, including where to meet. If you have questions in the meantime, email lauren.r@whatcomlandtrust.org.
What to expect: Walking on uneven ground, cutting blackberry, pruning trees, and pulling roots.
How to get there: Field Fridays start at the Whatcom Land Trust office. 412 N Commercial St, Bellingham, WA 98225

Learn more about Field Fridays: Here

Invasive Species Removal @ Catalyst Reserve with Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association
2026-04-11 09:00 - 12:00 | Acme Elementary School, 5200 Turkington Rd, Acme, 98220, United States
After years of restoration work, the Catalyst Reserve is beginning to develop into a healthy and resilient ecosystem, and we need your help to keep it headed in that direction! Join the Land Trust and Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association to help protect this vital habitat by removing invasive blackberry, which is overtaking previous plantings of native trees and shrubs. We will have tea, coffee, and snacks, and all tools are provided.
We can’t wait to see you out on the land!

Register: Here (Please register for this event so that we can bring enough shovels and snacks!)
Once you register, additional details will be sent by our Volunteer Coordinator, Lauren Ralbovsky, 3–4 days before the event, including where to meet. If you have questions in the meantime, email lauren.r@whatcomlandtrust.org.
What to expect: Digging using a shovel, clipping plants, including blackberry, working outdoors, and walking on uneven ground for up to a mile.
How to get there: Parking is at Acme Elementary School, 5200 Turkington Rd, Acme, WA 98220. A 2-minute shuttle ride will bring you to the restoration site. The shuttle will be available throughout the event.

Site Info: Catalyst Reserve lies between Landingstrip Creek and the South Fork of the Nooksack River and is home to salmon, elk, birds, and other wildlife. The land used to be a poplar farm with hardly any riparian buffer (the forested area around a stream or river), and had a culvert blocking salmon passage, along with large amounts of highly invasive reed canary grass. Since its protection, years of stewardship work have helped restore the site, and we can’t wait to build on that progress with you!

Earth Day @ Lower Kenney Creek with Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association
2026-04-18 09:00 - 12:00
Happy Earth Day! Join Whatcom Land Trust, Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (NSEA), and Whatcom Conservation District to protect and enhance critical salmon habitat along Kenney Creek, where the creek meets the North Fork of the Nooksack River, and get a free t-shirt designed by NSEA (first come first serve)! Last fall, over 100 volunteers joined us in planting hundreds of native species at the site. Volunteers will continue that effort by digging and cutting out invasive species like English Ivy, Himalayan Balsam (Policeman’s Helmet), and Himalayan Blackberry, to help ensure a diverse and healthy environment for returning fish, birds, and more. Come help us restore this vital ecosystem and contribute to the long-term health of Kenney Creek and the wildlife it supports! first come first serve. We will have tea, coffee, and snacks, and all tools are provided.
We can’t wait to see you out on the land!

Register: Here (Please register for this event so that we can bring enough shovels and snacks!)
Once you register, additional details will be sent by our Volunteer Coordinator, Lauren Ralbovsky, 3–4 days before the event, including where to meet. If you have questions in the meantime, email lauren.r@whatcomlandtrust.org.
What to expect: Walking on uneven ground, digging using a shovel, cutting vines with pruners, and using a saw.
How to get there: Address: 5862 N Fork Rd Deming, WA 98244. From Bellingham, take 542 East for approximately 17 miles. Turn right on Mosquito Lake Road and continue for 1 mile, then turn left onto North Fork Road. Continue for 1 mile and pull in on the right-hand side of the road.

Site Info: In 2025, a collaborative restoration project between the Land Trust, Whatcom County, Whatcom Conservation District, and NSEA was completed at Lower Kenney Creek to improve fish passage and habitat. Watch the video to learn more!

Invasive Species Removal Field Friday @ Elk Flats
2026-05-01 08:00 - 16:00
Join us for a special day at the beautiful Elk Flats! This 80-acre conservation site is difficult to access, making this Field Friday a rare chance to explore and care for this unique landscape. Together, we’ll hike through the forest to complete our annual site visit while removing invasive species to support native habitat. Whether you’re a seasoned volunteer or new to stewardship work, this is a great opportunity to make a meaningful impact while experiencing a place few people ever get to see. We look forward to having you join us!
Registration is REQUIRED for this event: This event is FULL. Email lauren.r@whatcomlandtrust.org to get on the waitlist.
Once you register, additional details will be sent by our Volunteer Coordinator, Lauren Ralbovsky, a week to 4 days before the event. If you have questions in the meantime, email lauren.r@whatcomlandtrust.org.
What to expect: Walking a long distance through unmaintained trails on steep, uneven ground, cutting and digging blackberry and other invasive plants, pruning plants back from the trail, and pulling roots.
How to get there: Field Fridays start at the Whatcom Land Trust office. 412 N Commercial St, Bellingham, WA 98225

Site Info: Elk Flats is approximately 80 acres of forestland along the South Fork of the Nooksack River in Skagit County. Whatcom Land Trust protected the land in the early 2010s. Before its protection, the land experienced logging and other uses that left it in need of restoration. Today, ongoing stewardship focuses on improving habitat for fish and wildlife and supporting the health of the river system.
Learn more about Field Fridays: Here

Invasive Removal @ Maple Creek Reach with Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association
2026-05-02 09:00 - 12:00 | Maple Creek Reach
Join Whatcom Land Trust and Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association for a day of stewardship at Maple Creek Reach. This stunning protected land has undergone incredible restoration efforts over the past 20 years, and now it needs your help! With breathtaking views along the North Fork of the Nooksack River and frequent eagle sightings, this site is a volunteer favorite. Come make a lasting impact by helping us remove invasive Scotch broom that is taking over previous years’ plantings. We will have tea, coffee, and snacks, and all tools are provided.
We can’t wait to see you out on the land!

Register: Here (Please register for this event so that we can bring enough shovels and snacks!)
Once you register, additional details will be sent by our Volunteer Coordinator, Lauren Ralbovsky, 3–4 days before the event, including where to meet. If you have questions in the meantime, email lauren.r@whatcomlandtrust.org.
What to expect: Walking on uneven ground, digging using a shovel, carrying, and using heavy tools.
How to get there: Parking is at Kendall Elementary School at 7547 Kendall Rd, Maple Falls, WA 98266. A shuttle will run throughout the event to get volunteers to and from the restoration site, roughly 5 minutes from the parking.

Site Info: After years of agricultural and dairy use, restoration efforts at Maple Creek Reach began in 1998, led by the current landowners to support the critical streamside habitat. Building on that work, Whatcom Land Trust started protecting the land in 2003, and by 2010, 111 acres were permanently conserved. Since then, ongoing stewardship and restoration efforts have continued to return Maple Creek Reach to a forested wetland that supports salmon, bald eagles, and other native wildlife. Watch the video to learn more.

2026 Whatcom Land Trust Spring Benefit
2026-05-09 16:30 - 21:00 | Hotel Bellwether, 1 Bellwether Way, Bellingham, WA, 98225, United States
Spring Benefit 2026

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What takes root in spring sustains the seasons ahead. Please join us for our Resilient Future Spring Benefit on May 9th in support of protecting and stewarding the lands and waters that connect us in Whatcom County. We’re excited to gather with new and old friends at the Hotel Bellwether ballroom for scrumptious appetizers, a choice of 3 dinner entrees, wine and nonalcoholic beverages, silent & live auctions, and a dessert dash with auctioneer Manca Valum, and an inspiring program about how connection leads to a resilient future. We are grateful to be part of a community that continues to show up for the rivers, forests, farms, and wildlife that make Whatcom County so special. We hope to see you soon!

Buy Tickets: Here

Thank you to our wonderful event sponsors!
Title Sponsor

Presenting Sponsors

Supporting Sponsors
Chuckanut Builders, Julie Carpenter Re/MAX Realtor, Puget Sound Energy, Wilson Engineering

Honorary Sponsors
Ethos West Construction, Inc., Industrial Credit Union, Carmichael Clark, P.S., Samson Rope, Waycross Investment Management, Superfeet, and John Okan, Edward Jones

Welcome to our newest sponsors: Metcalf, Hodges, Whatcom Land Title, Peoples Bank, Hoagland Pharmacy, Chuckanut Ridge Assisted Living, Graham Baba Architects, Landmark Design-Build, and WECU.

If you’d like to be a table captain, become a sponsor, or donate an auction item contact jodi.b@whatcomlandtrust.org, 360-746-3168

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What's the Point? @ Point Whitehorn
2026-06-14 10:00 - 13:00 | Point Whitehorn Park, 6899 Koehn Rd #6601, Blaine, WA, 98230, United States
What’s the Point? is an annual, family-friendly event at Point Whitehorn Marine Reserve that brings the community together to explore the shoreline during one of the lowest tides of the year. For almost seven years, local organizations have hosted this event to connect people with the unique coastal plants, wildlife, and geology of this special place through guided walks, talks, and hands-on learning.

More details, including the event schedule, speakers, and logistics, will be shared soon. Save the date and check back for updates!
