Support Whatcom County Outdoor Education

Invest in Outdoor Education in Whatcom County

You hear from me a lot, about how much I love our programs and mission at Wild Whatcom. So, I wanted to give you a chance to hear more about why outdoor education, youth enrichment, and opportunities to connect with nature are so impactful for our community.

Your support gives our community opportunities to connect with nature, self, and each other. Thank you for helping us raise a generation of youth who care about each other, the community, and the planet! 

With gratitude,

Licia Sahagun, Executive Director

Wild Connections: Upcoming Outdoor Programs for All Ages

Nature Notes - Beginning Anew

As we embark on the end of a year and start to a new one, fresh perspectives meet ancient wintertime rhythms. The sun begins returning to our land, eagles and swans nourish their bodies, conifers rest, salmon replenish their kind, some folks jump into icy waters, and we turn the page again.

When we make this a time for goal-setting and intentions to begin anew, our efforts mirror nature's lesson of dynamic change fueled by constant renewal of resources... If rest was considered compost, it would bring us much growth!

We hope you are finding time to rest, nourish, and find fresh beginnings among loved ones this holiday season. We’re excited to get outside with you in January. Learn more in the latest edition of Wild Connections.

Wild Connections December 2022: Program News & Deadlines, Supporting Equity in Outdoor Ed

December means adapting to a lean season. Winter is flowing in, over the hardening earth, around the trees turned inward, and through the skies heavy with clouds or so clear that nothing stands between us and the chill. This is a fascinating time of year to think about adaptation. As you prepare your own cold weather adaptations, consider a winter outing with us!

We have more programs, more often - and more for adults and families, including a new program for the LGBTQIA2S community called Out & About. We still have space in our winter season of our after school program, Neighborhood Nature, and our Nature Preschool. Finally, watch for details about summer camps, including summer camp for preschoolers. All that and more in the latest edition of Wild Connections.

Get More Whatcom Co Youth Outside this #GivingTuesday

GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good.

Over the past ten years, this idea has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.

We hope you will consider donating locally during this national day of giving.

At Wild Whatcom we are raising funds this #GivingTuesday to support our scholarships, our free loaner gear, and our schools-based programs.

Donate today!

Help Connect Your Neighbors to Nature - Let's Bring More Families Outside in 2023!

I love spending time outside in our northwest corner of Washington where we have so many incredible natural spaces to enjoy. I’m also always learning more about how being outside helps our mental and physical health, while inspiring us to steward our local lands. But I know that not everyone has easy access to natural spaces or the right gear to recreate safely and comfortably.

That’s why Wild Whatcom is working to break down barriers that prevent many of our neighbors from connecting to nature.   

Will you consider joining in and making a gift today? 

With gratitude,

Licia Sahagun, Executive Director
And the Wild Whatcom staff and board

Wild Connections November 2022: New Adults-Only Program Starting Nov 4

Hello November - the season of abundance, rest, and gratitude. We hope you can find time to rest and rejuvenate then join us outside! We’ve got plenty going on this month.

Our Nature Preschool still has space available plus winter and spring season registration for our after school program, Neighborhood Nature, is open. November Ladies Night Out is coming up November 6 and our new adult program, Wonder Walks starts this Friday, November 4. All that and more in the November issue of Wild Connections. See you outside!

Winter & Spring After School Sessions Open for Registration

Join us after school in Neighborhood Nature! Neighborhood Nature connects kids with the outdoors through exploration, play, art, and nature activities. Plus, it provides plenty of opportunities to make new friends and burn off some after-school energy! Winter session (January 9 - March 30, 2023) and spring session (April 10-June 8, 2023) are both open for registration now!

Plus, join the Teaching for the Climate Collaborative for its 5th year helping teachers teach outside! These offerings are brought to you by: Wild Whatcom, NSEA, Common Threads, RE Sources, Lummi Nation, and Northwest Indian College with support from NWESD 189 and OSPI.

Wild Connections October 2022: Preschool Spaces, Fungus ID Outing & More!

Change is in the air! Fall is a busy time at Wild Whatcom with all our academic year programming starting plus fall community programs. We still have space in our new Nature Preschool and we’ve got our fall community field trip coming up October 23. Plus, join us for another nature trivia night, this time at Stones Throw Brewery on October 25. Read more in this issue of Wild Connections.

Join Us for a Night of Nature Trivia at Time and Materials

We're excited to share that we've been organizing another night of nature-related trivia! After a successful event a few months back at Kulshan Brewing, we're eager to see you out for another night to test our nature knowledge together.

Join us at Time and Materials on Thursday, September 15th at 7:00PM.

Suggested $2 donation to play - supports Wild Whatcom's programs. Teams up to four people. Kids welcome! $1 of every pint sold that night also supports Wild Whatcom!

We are still gathering prizes for this event - do you have connections to a local business and want to donate winning prizes? Reach out to us at info@wildwhatcom.org!

2022 Impact Report: 40,000 Nature Hours in Whatcom County

Taking the time to tally up our collective impact in the community always gives me so much joy and hope.

It’s hard not to smile when looking through the photos that come from Wild Whatcom’s outings: you can see the wonder and curiosity in kids’ eyes as they are connecting with the world around them. You can see the silliness at play during a game of Hide or Spiders Web. And you can witness the resilience building after a day in the rain (you just sometimes have to peek under a few layers of wet gear). Read more in our 2022 Impact Report…

Wild Connections September 2022: Thank You for a Wonder-Full Summer!

What a summer! We explored, played games, learned naturalist and wilderness skills, and made many new friends. Our academic year programming has started for Explorers Club, Nature Preschool, and Neighborhood Nature, plus we have a new Impact Report out, and don’t forget to join us at Pint Night and Nature Trivia coming up Thursday, September 15 at Time and Materials. All that and more in this issue of Wild Connections.

New! Wild Whatcom Nature Preschool + We're Hiring!

We're so excited to announce our new Nature Preschool starting this September!

Meandering through the fields, woods, and shores of Larrabee State Park, this program will be fully outdoors for adventurers who are 3-5 years of age by September 1st.

Plus, we're currently hiring several exciting positions that will help us with our pilot year of Nature Preschool, expand our camp offerings for 2023, offer new programs to reach additional community members, and much more! This includes Manager, Coordinator and Field Staff positions.

All positions have a priority deadline of July 18th - apply today!

We're Hiring! Join Our Team

Wild Whatcom is hiring for multiple positions!

Please see full job descriptions and other application instructions on our Employment page.

Wild Whatcom is actively committed to social equity and justice and encourages candidates of all racial and gender identities, cultural and economic backgrounds, and of any sexual orientation to apply. Wild Whatcom is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, or marital status in employment or the provision of services.

Join our team today!