Out and About
Ages 18+ | Queer Folks and Allies | Monthly | Max. Participants: 30 | Price: Suggested Donation
Nature is for everyone, but we know it doesn’t always feel that way to folks from non-dominant groups trying to explore the outdoors safely.
Out and About is an affinity program developed by, and for, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community. You’re invited to join us for an inclusive outdoor experience with other queer folks to foster community, play outdoors, and nourish our connection with each other and the natural world around us.
Outings take place once a month, typically on a Wednesday evening, with each outing guided by a unique theme or topic. We will meet-up in a different natural area each month to learn about local ecology, think about the impacts of queer naturalists and scientists throughout history, and collectively unlearn some of our potential reservations around being “out” outside. This is an inclusive, welcoming space where everyone’s presence and participation is valued, whether you are part of the queer community or an ally, we look forward to seeing you out there!
Outings may include…
Community-building activities and games
Time spent walking/hiking gently on trails as a group
Reflections on “Queering” our relationship with the natural world
Opportunities for making community connections and sharing personal experiences
Time for Solo Reflection and Silent Natural Observation
Registration
Reserve your spot! Group size is limited. Note: Location revealed after your registration is received.
Already know what you are registering for? Register here.
Cost
This program is offered for free with a suggested donation of $15-$30/person.
Cash, check (payable to Wild Whatcom), or donate online.
Yearly Calendar
2024
January
Queer New Year | Saturday, January 20, 2024 | 2:00-4:00PM
Kick off the new year in community! We will set intentions for 2024, play some silly games to build connections, and then spend the majority of our time taking a slow-paced walk around a beautiful local lake as the sun starts to set, stopping frequently to appreciate local flora and fauna.
Accessibility Info
Handicap Parking–Yes
Trailhead Bathroom–Yes
Trail–Flat, barrier free, hard-packed dirt, gravel, and some paved areas
Seating–Few places to sit other than logs, boulders, or the ground
Walk/Hike Distance–Under 2 miles
February
Finding Our Way | Saturday, February 10, 2024 | 3:00-5:00PM
Practice using a map and compass to find your way, and use your new skills to find some hidden treasures! After practicing our new skills, we will hike through a beautiful preserve filled with moss, lichen, and mushrooms. This preserve is largely undisturbed and has very large old growth trees, some close to 400 years old! On our hike, we will stop frequently to appreciate these majestic trees and the tiny hidden worlds on the forest floor, as well as practice alternative ways of placing oneself, such as making sound maps.
Accessibility Info
Handicap Parking–Yes
Trailhead Bathroom–Yes
Trail–Hard packed dirt with more significant uphill travel than our typical outings and some steep inclines, but we will take it slow and stop frequently
Seating–Few places to sit other than logs, boulders, or the ground
Walk/Hike Distance–Under 2 miles
March
Welcoming Spring | Saturday, March 9, 2024 | 3:30-5:30PM
Join us to notice the first signs that winter is wrapping up and spring is just around the corner! Spring is often a reinvigorating and hopeful time of year, as plants and animals are finally waking up and becoming active again. Before we hit the trail, we will reflect on our personal connections to the changing seasons and how more light and greenery makes us feel as humans. After playing some games and getting to know one another, we will take a stroll around a local Bellingham park to look for the first buds and blooms of the season, and listen for the birds who are finally migrating back to our region. Our staff will bring supplies to do some nature journaling and draw what catches our eye, but if you have your own notebook, sketchpad, or art supplies you love to use, feel free to bring them along!
Accessibility Info
Handicap Parking–Yes
Trailhead Bathroom–Yes
Trail–Flat, barrier free, hard-packed gravel, and dirt
Seating–Few places to sit other than logs, boulders, or the ground
Walk/Hike Distance–Under 2 miles
April
Beaver Prowl | Saturday, April 13, 2024 | 6:30-8:30PM
Get curious about North America’s largest rodent, beavers! Learn all about these ecosystem engineers and what makes them so unique, then take an evening stroll around a beautiful local wetland filled with awesome wildlife such as beavers, muskrats, bats, raptors, and waterfowl. Even if we don’t see any beavers, we can often hear them slapping their tails on the water in territorial displays, and will definitely see lots of evidence of beavers on the landscape, such as chewed sticks and scent mounds. This evening excursion is a fun way to see our environment in a new light, literally!
Accessibility Info
Handicap Parking–Yes
Trailhead Bathroom–Yes
Trail–Flat, barrier free, hard-packed gravel, dirt, and flat wooden boardwalk
Seating–Few places to sit other than logs, boulders, or the ground
Walk/Hike Distance–Under 2 miles
May
Honorable Harvest | Saturday, May 18, 2024 | 5:00-7:00PM
Are you curious about harvesting wild plants but don’t know where to start? Join us at a local lake to learn about the tenets of honorable harvest, focusing on a plant which is often hated but has almost endless uses, stinging nettle! We will learn about the basic rules to follow while harvesting anything from the wild, learn about the ways we can use nettle, such as cordage making, treating various ailments, and using it for food and drinks! We will practice the safest ways to harvest nettle, and brew some nettle tea in the field to enjoy as we appreciate sunset views on the lake!
Accessibility Info
Handicap Parking–Yes
Trailhead Bathroom–Yes
Trail–Flat, barrier free, hard-packed gravel, dirt, and some paved areas
Seating–Few places to sit other than logs, boulders, or the ground
Walk/Hike Distance–Under 2 miles
June
Pride at Low Tide | Saturday, June 22, 2024 | 11:00-1:00PM
Join us to celebrate PRIDE at low tide! We will be exploring an amazing stretch of shore during a strong negative tide, which will reveal the intertidal critters usually hidden just below the surface. Get curious with us as we explore the coast to search for crabs, sea stars, clams, nudibranchs, and anything else that catches our eye! Consider bringing a snack or lunch to enjoy a picnic on the beach once we finish exploring.
Note: The barnacles common in this area are razor sharp and can result in painful cuts. Please wear sturdy closed-toe shoes or boots (rain boots are best) to protect your feet and legs. If you would like to borrow a pair of rain boots or any other loaner gear, email communityprograms@wildwhatcom.org.
Accessibility Info
Handicap Parking–Yes
Trailhead Bathroom–Yes
Trail–Paved pavilion area which is directly on the shore where we will be exploring. We will be exploring the intertidal zone which is mostly flat sand with some rocky areas
Seating–Few places to sit other than logs, boulders, or the ground
Walk/Hike Distance–Under 2 miles
JUly
TBA
August
TBA
September
TBA
October
TBA
November
TBA
December
TBA
Out and About Pack List
Participants should be prepared to safely and comfortably spend several hours outdoors. Living in the Pacific Northwest (PNW) means we can start our adventure in the sun and end in the rain.
Participants should bring the following. Additional items specific to that month’s outing will be detailed in the reminder email:
Appropriate clothes (i.e., rain boots, rain jacket/pants, hat/gloves, and warm layers). See our Essentials of Layering for more information.
Something to sit on (extra fleece, plastic bag, etc.)
Camera (no flash photography please)
Flashlight or headlamp (opt)
Binoculars (opt)
LOANER GEAR
Wild Whatcom has loaner gear available. You do not need to purchase gear to participate in our programs. To request loaner gear, please fill out this form and we will reach out to you. Please let us know at least five (5) days prior to your outing if you need to borrow gear/clothing.