BIPOC Walks

All Ages | BIPOC Individuals + Families | Monthly | Max. Participants: 30 | Price: Suggested Donation

New! BIPOC Walks is a program by and for people of color to build community while spending time outdoors in Bellingham. We meet in a different accessible park once a month, typically on Saturdays, to share food and get curious about local nature. This program is family-friendly and open to all ages. Come by yourself, with a friend, or bring the whole family to appreciate spending time outside and connect with new nature-loving friends.

Outings are always facilitated by people of color, with each month having a slightly different focus/theme. After sharing some snacks and getting to know one another, you might…

  • Taste edible plants and learn about various uses for northwest plants. 

  • Spend time exploring a local waterways and reflecting on how water connects us.

  • Get curious about the amazing animals who share our environment. 

  • Discuss the complex relationship between race and experiencing outdoor spaces.

Registration

Register here to reserve your spot! Group size is limited. Note: Location revealed after your registration is received.

For group comfort and safety, our meeting locations are not shared publicly. Once you register online, you will receive an informational email that includes detailed directions to our meeting spot. All parks where we meet are accessible by public transit and have been chosen with physical accessibility in mind. Accessibility information for each month is listed below. If you have questions about location, accessibility, or anything else, please email communityprograms@wildwhatcom.org.

Cost

This program is offered for free with a suggested donation of $15-30/family. It is pay-what-you-can, and while any donation amount is appreciated, donations are not required to register or participate. However, registration is required to receive directions to our meeting location.

Cash, check (payable to Wild Whatcom), or donate online.

Yearly Calendar

2024

June

Kick-off Cookout | Friday, June 21, 2024 | 5:00-7:00PM

Interested in this program and interested in learning more? Join us for a relaxed, informal cookout/potluck to get to know our staff, ask questions, and get to know other prospective participants who you might see at future outings. We encourage bringing the whole family, we will be meeting near a playground at a scenic local lake, so kids can play while adults chat. 

Accessibility Info 

  • Handicap Parking–Yes 

  • Trailhead Bathroom–Yes 

  • Trail–Flat, barrier free, packed gravel and dirt 

  • Seating–Pavilion and picnic benches 

  • Walk/Hike Distance–Primarily stationary with potential walking distance under a ½ mile 

July

Exploring Edible/Medicinal Plants | Saturday, July 13, 2024 | 5:00-7:00PM

Join us at a local park to meet new friends and get curious about all things plant! Taste some edible plants, learn to identify some of our native trees, and learn about the countless ways that different northwest plants have historically been used as medicine. We will be exploring a forested park with low-incline trails, which includes a duck pond and possible waterfall views!

Accessibility Info 

  • Handicap Parking–Yes 

  • Trailhead Bathroom–Yes 

  • Trail–Mostly flat or very low-incline, barrier free, packed gravel and dirt

  • Seating–Scattered trailside benches 

  • Walk/Hike Distance–1-1.5 miles

August

Wonderful Water | Saturday, August 10, 2024 | 2:00-4:00PM (to be confirmed)  

Make a splash at a small local beach, and get curious about the ways that water has connected people and places throughout time. We will peruse the shore for crabs, clams, and the countless other critters who call the intertidal zone home. 

Accessibility Info

  • Handicap Parking–Yes, but parking lot is ~¼ mile from beach where we will be heading 

  • Trailhead Bathroom–No, but there are facilities in a nearby park

  • Trail–Mostly flat with one slightly steep section connecting trailhead parking with our destination, packed gravel and dirt 

  • Seating–Lots of logs and boulders

  • Walk/Hike Distance–Less than 1 mile 

September-DEcember schedule to come

BIPOC 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 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.