Thanks to the Chuckanut Health Foundation, over a hundred students at Carl Cozier Elementary are exploring nature outdoors, learning new concepts, and improving mental and physical health. After two months of implementation, the HOWL program (Healthy Outdoor Wanders and Learning) is off to a great start, popular with teachers and students alike. The grant focuses on three different outdoor education pathways within the school: field outings with 2nd and 3rd-grade classes; after-school explorations with a broad range of ages; and outdoor activities with students with disabilities in grades K-5.
The field outings provide an opportunity for kids to leave the classroom and bring their learning outdoors -- to accentuate classroom learning with hands-on exploration and the chance to immerse themselves in nature first-hand. Despite the fact that Carl Cozier sits beside a beautiful nature area, this is, for many students, their first foray into the forest. Trees become the classroom walls, and the ecosystem of forest life, alive with bugs, plants, birds, and fungus, the teacher. In a lesson about observation, for example, students explored spiders, slugs, and insects, as well as the nuances of fall leaves, and began to understand how each was connected. “It was really neat to see students get excited about digging in the dirt to find what might be hiding below. The curiosity and inquiry were endless,” says Wild Whatcom Mentor, Nicole Keeler. “The hardest part of the outing was having to leave the woods at the end!” Another outing provided the chance for students to become map-makers; exploring the land first-hand and then putting that knowledge to practical use charting the trails within the woods.
As one of the teachers expressed, “I love Wild Whatcom. Learning about the outdoors is so beneficial for our students.” And the enthusiasm is contagious; it’s just as exciting for the mentors working with the students as it is for the students and teachers themselves. Nicole Keeler sums it up perfectly: “It's really empowering to see students during regular field trips and again after school. The interpersonal connections and the consistent exploration in nature create a more meaningful experience for everybody.”
Wild Connections - November
Check out what we’ve got going on in November.
Wild Whatcom Participates in Jane Goodall Event
Join us at the Mount Baker Theatre, Monday, October 8
Wild Whatcom is participating alongwith other invited environmental organizations in a no-host tabling event as part of the talk by world-renowned chimpanzee expert and conservationist, Dr. Jane Goodall on Monday, October 8 at 7PM at the Mount Baker Theatre.
The SOLD OUT Tomorrow & Beyond event is part of Western Washington University’s (WWU) Fraser Lecture Series.
Give Back Tuesday - The Filling Station
Looking for a dine out option on Tuesday, October 23?
Join us at The Filling Station in Fairhaven between 11AM-9PM at their Give Back Tuesday event to benefit Wild Whatcom. 10% of all food and non-alcoholic beverage sales that day will be donated to Wild Whatcom.
Grab your family and friends and bring your appetite. We'll see you there!
Wild Connections - October
Check out what we’ve got going on in October!
Play Poker - Support Wild Whatcom
Come raise a pint of Greenwood IPA to celebrate Jon, our community of friends and family, and raise some money for Wild Whatcom and Bellingham Youth Paddlesports.
Saturday, November 17, 2018
6:00PM
Kulshan 2 - (Kulshan 2 is a 21 & over venue)
1538 Kentucky St., Bellingham. View Map
Texas Hold-Em, Kulshan Beer, Poker and Costume Prizes, Kulshan Swag, Food Trucks, Fun.
Jon would love this. Getting our community together, having fun, & raising some money to support two youth groups that his girls love. Please come out, even if poker isn't your thing... Because it's not about that - it's about celebrating life. The way Jon did. As he would say... "Get Some!"
Come play, watch, or just hang out. Look forward to seeing you there.
Tickets on sale now!
Wild Connections - September
Check out what we've got going on in September.
Job Openings! Multiple Positions
Wild Whatcom is hiring!
Please see full job descriptions and other application instructions on our Employment page.
Positions are open until filled. Priority application dates apply.
Join our team today!
Wild Connections - August
Larrabee State Park. Photo Credit: Jeff Lewis
Check out what we've got going on in August.
July Outings
Thimbleberry. Photo credit: Holly Roger
Check out what we've got going on in July.
June Outings
Check out what we've got going on in June.
May Outings
Check out what we've got going on in May.
Job Openings! Mentor - Two Positions Available
Wild Whatcom is hiring!
Please see full job descriptions and other application instructions on our Employment page.
Join our team!
Mentor - Two Positions Available
Deadline to apply: Monday, May 7, 2018.
April Outings
Check out what we've got going on in April.
Fundraiser - A Wild Thyme with Wild Whatcom
Photo Credit: Jeff Lewis
Join us Thursday, June 7, 2018 for a "wild thyme" at Ciao Thyme as they welcome Wild Whatcom for a multi-course, fundraising dinner to celebrate the season and help raise funds to get even more Whatcom kiddos outside! Celebrate the best food the Pacific Northwest has to offer while supporting Wild Whatcom's work to better serve kids who face disadvantages in our society.
Early-bird special through April 11, 2018: $110/guest
Regular pricing begins April 12, 2018: $125/guest
Reserve your seat today! Tickets available.
Questions? info@wildwhatcom.org
Wild seafood contributed by:
Field Programs Manager Interview in Whatcom Talk
Photo Credit: Holly Roger
Our Field Programs Manager, Hannah Thomas Plant, was recently interviewed for an article in the local publication, Whatcom Talk. Check out Wild Whatcom: Where the Wild Things Are.
Job Openings: Development and Communications Director and Mentor - Boys Programs
Wild Whatcom is hiring!
Please see full job descriptions and other application instructions on our Employment page.
Join our team!
Applications accepted through Thursday, March 15, 2018. Start date: Tuesday, April 10, 2018
Development and Communications Director
Applications accepted through Friday, March 23, 2018. Start date: May 2018
March Outings
Check out what we've got going on in March.