Join our fun, informal walks and get familiar with plants native to Whatcom County. Sponsored by the Koma Kulshan Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society (WNPS), these introductory plant identification walks feature an easy pace and will each last about two hours. All walks are free and no registration is required, just show up at the meeting spot. The walks will focus on a variety of habitats, with your expert guide introducing you to common trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants native to our area. Leaders will share tidbits on ethnobotany, wildlife use, gardening with natives, and other interesting plant related facts. People of all ages and experience levels are welcome. Dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes that may get wet. Each walk stands alone, or attend them all to get a free mini-course on plant identification. For more information contact Allan Richardson at 360-305-5270 or asrichardson5@gmail.com. Details about other local events and programs relating to native plants can be found on our chapter website wnpskoma.org.
Spring Schedule 2026
Native Plant Walk in Arroyo Park
This walk will take us through the mixed conifer/deciduous forest on the north edge of the Chuckanut Mountains. We will explore plants in dry forest, forested wetland, and riparian habitats. You will learn how to identify common plants and observe how microclimates shape the complexity of this special environment.
Day/Date: Thursday, April 16
Time: 6:00 p.m. to dusk
Location: Meet at the North Chuckanut Trailhead parking lot off of Chuckanut Drive 0.1 miles south of the intersection with Old Samish Rd, south of Fairhaven.
Trip Leader: Analiese Burns, 360-920-0512.
Spring Plant Walk at Point Whitehorn Marine Reserve
Visit this gem of a county park, preserved through efforts of the Whatcom Land Trust. The forest floor at Point Whitehorn is carpeted with small wild flowers in the spring. Join Anja Scholze and Pam Borso for a walk and learn about the flowers, shrubs and trees of this forest on the edge of the sea. The walk will take us to the beach, where you may choose to linger before returning to the cars.
Day/Date: Sunday, April 19
Time: 10:00 a.m. to noon
Location: Meet at the Point Whitehorn Marine Reserve Park. Directions: take the Grandview Road exit on I-5. Head west on Grandview to the end, turn left (south) on Koehn Rd. and you will soon see the parking lot on the left.
Trip Leader: Pam Boroso, 360-319-9004
Native Plants in Two New City Parks
Join us for a walk around Cordata Park and a stroll over to Julianna Park. We will explore plants that were planted as part of a wetland mitigation project in Cordata Park, then venture over to Julianna Park to check out the plants that have had less human influence. The route is approximately 2.3 miles on gravel or paved trail/sidewalk, and fairly flat. Our WNPS chapter plant sale will be in progress in the north part of Cordata Park.
Day/Date: Saturday, April 25
Time: Noon to 2:00 p.m.
Location: Meet by the pavilion (brick building) at the parking lot at the south end of Cordata Park.
Trip Leader: Chantal Chaplain: frenchie1982@gmail.com
Native Plants at Birch Bay State Park
Join Pam Borso for a beginning plant walk in the rich, diverse plant community at the Birch Bay State Park. The walk will go from the beach through the uplands along a forested trail to the Terrell Creek estuary.
Time: 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Day/Date: Sunday, May 3
Location: Meet at the BP Heron Center by the beach in Birch Bay State Park (Discover Pass required).
Trip leader: Pam Boroso, 360-319-9004
Hidden Forest Foray
Explore the plants of the Sehome Hill Arboretum, a “secret” natural area in the heart of Bellingham with guidebook author and former Arboretum board member Mark Turner. Sehome Hill was logged in the early 20th century and is now developing a mature second-growth forest. We’ll look at trees, shrubs, wildflowers, and a vine or two. Learn what’s native and what’s not.
Day/Date:Thursday, May 7
Time: 6:00 p.m. to dusk
Location: Meet in the parking area at the top of Arboretum Drive (off Bill McDonald Parkway).
Trip Leader: Mark Turner: mark@turnerphotographics.com
Native Forest on the Otto Preserve, Lummi Island
Explore the native plants in the forest understory of the beautiful Otto Preserve, land protected and stewarded by the Lummi Island Heritage Trust. Alika Herreshoff will introduce common native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers, as well as identifying non-native and invasive plants. The walk will take us on a loop-tour of the features of the preserve including woodland in various stages of regeneration, the edges of rocky outcroppings, and rich wetland.
Day/Date: Sunday, May 17
Time: 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Location: Meet at the Otto Preserve, 3560 Sunrise Rd, Lummi Island. Take the Lummi Island Ferry from Gooseberry Point. (Parking is limited, please consider carpooling!)
Trip Leader: Alika, raphaelalika@gmail.com
Native Plants on the Lower Padden Creek Trail
Stroll through the shady Padden Creek trail in Fairhaven. Your guide, Eric Worden, will help you learn to identify common trees and shrubs, and also to learn their unique plant “personalities” and how they interact in this dynamic urban green space.
Day/Date: Sunday, May 31
Time: 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Meet at Fairhaven Village Green.
Trip Leader: Eric Worden, eric@ericworden.seattle.wa.us
Previous introductory plant walks and field trips can be found on this page in case you’re curious about where the Koma Kulshan chapter has explored in previous seasons.