Wonder Walks
Ages 18+ | Every Friday 11:30-1:00 PM | April-November | Price: Free/Suggested Donation
If you're curious about local flora and fauna and like to move slowly and intentionally as you go, this program is for you! Join us every Friday afternoon to explore the natural history of local parks on meandering walks meant to engage your senses and deepen your sense of place. In addition to our nature walk, outings will often include some fun or reflective activities and opportunities to do some nature journaling, providing ample opportunities to create connections with like-minded adults who love spending time outdoors! If you have binoculars, or a favorite personal journal, we encourage you to bring them!
This program takes place at various parks around Whatcom County on low barrier, low incline trails. Trail surfaces include gravel, pavement, and packed dirt, and are accessible to those who use wheelchairs and/or canes. In addition to moving slowly, we will stop frequently along the way to take breaks and make natural observations, so all ability levels are welcome! Bring your sense of wonder and dress for the weather, walks will happen rain or shine!
Registration & Donation
This program is offered for free with a suggested donation of $15-25/person. It is pay-what-you-can, and while any donation amount is appreciated, donations are not required to register or participate.
Registration is encouraged, but walk ups are always welcome! You can find map links to each month’s meeting location below. Weekly registration opens every Friday for the following Friday’s outing. You can register below by clicking the green “+” button, then clicking the green “continue” button.
Accessibility information is listed below. If you have questions about location, accessibility, or anything else, please email communityprograms@wildwhatcom.org.
Accessibility Info
All Wonder Walks locations have the following:
Flat or very gently-inclined trails without barriers like boulders, fallen logs, gates, etc. Trails are usually hard-packed gravel, dirt, or pavement. We have folks with a range of mobility limitations join us every week!
Trailhead Bathrooms
No more than one (1) mile of walking.
Annual Calendar
REMINDER! Wonder Walks takes a break December-March.
April
WHATCOM FALLS PARK
1401 Electric Ave., Bellingham
In April we will be appreciating the changes that springtime brings in Whatcom Falls Park. We will investigate some of the relationships between insects, birds, mammals, and plants, and get curious about whatever we notice on our explorations. We will also flex our creativity by making art inspired by the nature around us.
Directions: Use the park entrance is located directly across from Lafeen’s Donuts, then drive into the parking lot adjacent to the tennis court and playground. We will meet at a picnic table under the large tree in the lawn directly across from the tennis
May
CORNWALL PARK
Entrance next to Parkview Elementary, Bellingham
In May, we’ll look for spring flowers and berries beginning to ripen, appreciate the abundant song birds and owls in Cornwall Park, and get curious about the various trees growing along the trail. Try your hand at using leaves, grass, or twigs as paintbrushes, or practice your watercolor skills while observing beautiful flowers.
Directions: Use the Cornwall Park entrance located directly in before you reach the Parkview Elementary School Parking lot, located at the end of Cornwall Avenue. Turn left and drive down as far as you can into the park parking lot, we will meet at a picnic table in the lawn near the covered pavilion.
June
Post Point Wastewater Treatment Plant
Summer brings so many changes to notice, and it's the perfect season to explore the wonders of the waterfront! This month we will follow the trail that starts at the wastewater treatment plant to the Heron Rookery to spy on the colony of gangly baby herons up in the trees, as well as appreciate the plants and other wildlife we spot as we explore the trail. A sweatshirt or jacket can also be helpful for this location, as the shore area is windy and is often significantly cooler than the surrounding area.
Directions: Drive directly to the Post Point Wastewater Treatment Plant and park in the adjacent lot. We will meet at the picnic tables visible from the parking lot.
July
BOULEVARD PARK
We will continue our summer shore exploring by walking along the flat Taylor boardwalk trail at Boulevard Park to appreciate the lovely views of Bellingham Bay, the plants growing along the trail, and the birds (and maybe seals!) along the shore. Gulls, terns, and shorebirds abound, and depending on the tides, we may even explore the beach below the boardwalk to observe up some inter-tidal critters like seastars, crabs, or nudibranchs up close!
Directions: We will be meeting near the picnic tables, in the lawn just past the playground. Note that the shore can be windy and significantly cooler than the surrounding area, so bringing a sweater or jacket is recommended.
August
LAKE PADDEN PARK (West Entrance)
The dog days of summer are here, so come enjoy a relaxing meander around Lake Padden and the shady forest that surrounds it. We’ll be thinking about the many ways that we are connected to our watershed and what we can do to help our local waters. Come ready to investigate the many birds, slugs, trees, and bugs who call the lake home, and prepare to feast on some ripe berries!
Directions: We will meet in the lakeside lawn just after you pull into the WEST entrance of Lake Padden Park (located on Samish Way, in between 46th and 48th St)
September
WHATCOM FALLS PARK
1401 Electric Ave., Bellingham
Fall is in the air! This month we will be meandering around Whatcom Falls Park looking for signs that the seasons are starting to change. We will observe birds preparing to migrate, squirrels stashing food for winter, and lots of cool plants who are also starting to prepare for the colder months ahead.
Directions: Use the park entrance is located directly across from Lafeen’s Donuts, then drive into the parking lot adjacent to the tennis court and playground. We will meet at a picnic table under the large tree in the lawn directly across from the tennis
October
CORNWALL PARK
Entrance next to Parkview Elementary, Bellingham
This time of year we head back to Cornwall Park, one of our favorite places to explore in the fall,as there are interesting mushrooms everywhere. In fact, without the benefits of the fungus among us, our forests could not exist! This park also has abundant birds, including resident barred owls, who we will look and listen for. Come dressed for the weather - and bring your curiosity!
Directions: Use the Cornwall Park entrance located directly in before you reach the Parkview Elementary School Parking lot, located at the end of Cornwall Avenue. Turn left and drive down as far as you can into the park parking lot, we will meet at a picnic table in the lawn near the covered pavilion.
November
MARITIME HERITAGE PARK
500 West Holly St., Bellingham
Ahhh, November. When nature goes to sleep. Days are darkening, the rain has come, and salmon are finally returning home on their long migrations. Join us to explore Maritime Heritage Park searching for seals and sea lions feasting on the abundant salmon in Whatcom Creek on their way to spawn. We will discuss the life cycle of the salmon, how these fish support entire ecosystems through their migration upstream, and their historic importance in this region.
Schedule Alert: No outing on Friday, the day after Thanksgiving.
Directions: Park anywhere on Holly, and walk towards the closed Environmental Learning Center Building, which is located directly across the Street from the Waterfront Bar and grill. We will meet in the lawn adjacent to the creek-side trail and ELC building.
REMINDER! Wonder Walks takes a break December-March.
Wonder Walks 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:
Appropriate clothes (i.e., rain boots, rain jacket/pants, hat/gloves, and warm layers). See our Essentials of Layering for more information.
Snack
Water bottle
Notebook, journal, or sketch pad
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.