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 WNPS activities can be found at wnpskoma.org.

Native Plant Walk to Teddy Bear Cove

This trail takes us along the Interurban Trail to the white sand beaches of Teddy Bear Cove. Join Katie Mitchell for a walk and learn about the flowers, shrubs, and trees of this forest near Chuckanut Bay. The walk will take us to the beach, and if you pack a lunch, you may choose to stay and enjoy the views before heading back to the trailhead.

Day/Date: Saturday, April 19

Time: 10:00 a.m. to noon

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.

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 Sky Hawk Bressette 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. At this time you may choose to linger on the beach or return to the cars.

Day/Date: Sunday, April 27

Time: 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

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.

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 8

Time: 6:00 p.m. to dusk

Location: Meet in the parking area at the top of Arboretum Drive (off Bill McDonald Parkway).

Native Plants at Birch Bay State Park Join

Pam Borso and Lyle Anderson 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.

Day/Date: Sunday, May 11

Time: 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Location: Meet at the BP Heron Center by the beach in Birch Bay State Park (Discover Pass required)

Blossoms & Botany: Discovering Cornwall Park

Nestled in the northern part of the city, Cornwall Park is a gem, featuring an amazing mix of amenities and diverse plant life. Immerse yourself in the natural beauty as we explore some of our common native trees and shrubs. Join Chantal Chaplain and other native plant enthusiasts on this wonderful opportunity to connect with nature and learn more about the flora that thrives in our local area.

Day/Date: Friday, May 16

Time: 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Location: Meet in the parking lot off of Meridian St in the northwest corner of the park, across from Squalicum Parkway (map here).

Native Forest on the Aiston Preserve

Lummi Island Explore the native flora in the forest understory and forest edges of the Aiston Preserve’s Inati Trail, Deer Fern Way, and Hemlock Hollow, land protected by the Lummi Island Heritage Trust. Sky Bressette and Alika Herreshoff will introduce common native plants as well as introduced non-natives. The walk will take us through the forested hillsides of Lummi Mountain, home to ephemeral streams and wetlands, towering maples, and scattered rocky bald habitat. We will meet at the Otto Preserve at 1:30pm and carpool to the Inati Trail, beginning the walk at 1:45pm.

Day/Date: Sunday, May 18

Time: 1:30 – 4:00 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!)

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, June 1

Time: 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Location: Meet at Fairhaven Village Green