Volunteers bring a broad spectrum of interests, experience, and expertise to Wild Whatcom. Brandon Larson, our current Board Treasurer, first connected with us as a parent of a new Explorers Club participant. In 2022 he began volunteering in almost all of our committees, and it wasn’t long before he was invited to join the board!
Brandon brings a background of diverse experiences and training, including outdoor education, banking, and woodworking. He is the owner, woodworker and artist behind Larson Woodworks, and is very active in the Bellingham arts scene.
Our Q&A below provides more information about Brandon and his role in our community:
Wild Whatcom: How did you first get involved in Wild Whatcom?
Brandon: My oldest son did Neighborhood Nature after school, then signed up for Explorer's Club Year 2. I was so excited about what my kid was learning and wanted to help out in whatever way I could.
Wild Whatcom: Why did you choose to join the Wild Whatcom Board?
Brandon: I always wanted to get involved with an organization and Wild Whatcom's mission fit my beliefs. After talking with the Board President at the time, I knew it was an organization I wanted to be involved with. Wild Whatcom was forming right as I was graduating with a degree in Recreation, with a focus on outdoor/experiential learning. Wild Whatcom is exactly what I wanted to do with my degree but I was just in the early stages and our paths never crossed until I had kids.
Wild Whatcom: Which of your interests and skills do you find most relevant to your work on the board? What is most rewarding about being on the board?
Brandon: I think my banking knowledge helps a little with the financial side of things and my community connections help bring in-kind and monetary donations that benefit the organization. Being part of something that benefits my community in getting as many people as possible outside is something I enjoy. Working with people that have a passion for the outdoors and for parks is what I dreamed of doing 20+ years ago but did not have that opportunity.
Wild Whatcom: If you could be something in nature other than a human being, what would you be and why?
Brandon: It would be a Belted Kingfisher because you can fly and live near the water and it is a cool looking bird. It reminds me of being a river raft guide in Alaska.
Wild Whatcom: What does our mission statement “Wild Whatcom fosters lifelong connections to nature,” mean to you? Why is it important for everyone in our community?
Brandon: To me it means getting someone outdoors and making it a passion that they want to do more of. It doesn't matter the age, just getting them outside. And if they don't have the means to do it, (it means) finding a way to help them access it. The more people get outside, the more they will stand up to protect those areas as they get threatened by capitalism.
Thanks to Brandon for his commitment to outdoor education, our ecosystems, and our community!
Would you like to join our board? Let us know by submitting a volunteer interest form!