Ladies Night Out
Ages 18+ | Women (LGBTQ Friendly)| Monthly | Max. Participants: 30 | Price: Suggested Donation
Walk when the moon is full!
There's something special – and really fun – about exploring at night under a full moon! Ladies Night Out is co-created by the individuals who attend. Each outing has a different, distinctive flavor.
Our goal is to notice the natural world around us and breathe, observe, and enjoy what the night brings. Here's what you can expect:
Illuminating conversation, connection, and discovery of the wild nature reflected within.
Natural history info, walking/mild hiking, wildlife observation, and a sharing circle.
A solo experience involving 20-30 minutes observing nature, catching your moon shadow, and steeping in the stillness of nightfall.
A collaborative experience where your participation is welcomed and encouraged.
Come get a little moonlight in your eyes and bask in a moonbeam in good company. We'll bring the chocolate. You bring your sense of adventure!
Registration & Donation
This program is offered for free with a suggested donation of $15-30/person. It is pay-what-you-can, and while any donation amount is appreciated, donations are not required to register or participate. Registration is required to receive directions to our meeting location though.
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. The majority of places where we meet have been chosen with physical accessibility in mind. The trails we use are mostly flat and barrier free. Accessibility information for each month is listed below. If you have questions about location, accessibility, or anything else, please email communityprograms@wildwhatcom.org.
Yearly Calendar
2024-25
January
Moon of Crackling Branches | Sunday, January 12, 2025 | 3:30-6:00PM
Changing perspectives: We will reflect on what we want to take with us and what we want to let go of as we start a new year, and celebrate 2025 with a campfire on a beach with lots of great agates and winter birds (weather permitting)
Accessibility Info
Trailhead Bathroom–Yes
Trail–Flat, paved trail with some gravel areas. We will be walking out onto flat sandy/rocky beach.
Walk/Hike Distance–Under 2 miles with frequent stops.
WTA –Route 75 Bellingham to Blaine/Birch Bay. Closest Stop is Lincoln Road at Shintaffer Road. Stop ID 5576. Note: This stop is still a one hour walk from meeting location.
February
Moon of Deep Snow | Sunday, February 9, 2025 | 3:30-6:00PM
Reflect on how spending time near water changes your inner state as we learn about water as a shaper of geology and human connections and explore along the bank of a local river.
Accessibility Info
Trailhead Bathroom–No
Trail–Off trail outing. Terrain is mostly flat, but we we will be exploring along the rocky/sandy shore of the Nooksack River.
Walk/Hike Distance–Less than a mile.
WTA Bus–Route 72X Mt. Baker Highway at Nugents Corner. Stop ID 7202. Note This stop is a 5 minute walk from our meeting location.
March
Moon of Chinook Wind | Friday, March 14, 2025 | 6:30-9:00PM
We will get curious about spring botany with a native plant walk, reflect on how spring's arrival influences how we feel, and hopefully hear abundant frog and bird songs!
Accessibility Info
Trailhead Bathroom–No
Trail–Packed dirt and gravel trails with only a slight incline in some spots.
Walk/Hike Distance–Less than a mile.
WTA Bus–Not accessible
April
Moon of Budding Trees | Saturday, April 12, 2025 | 6:30-9:00PM
This outing involves more hiking than most Ladies Night Out outings. We will be traveling uphill to a serene lake while examining and nibbling the edible trees and buds along the trail. When we reach the lake, we will have a quiet reflection time near the water, where we often see diverse waterfowl and evidence of beaver!
Accessibility Info
Trailhead Bathroom–Yes
Trail–Flat, packed dirt and gravel. This trail involves significantly more uphill travel than our typical outings.
Walk/Hike Distance–Approximately 2 miles.
WTA Bus–Not accessible
May
Moon of Flowers | Saturday, May 10, 2025 | 6:30-9:00PM
Flowers are beginning to bloom! We will explore a fragrance garden, take a flat walk out to a diverse wetland to appreciate the abundance of birds like Northern harrier, American bitterns, and Red-winged blackbirds, and look and listen for beaver.
Accessibility Info
Trailhead Bathroom–Yes
Trail–Flat, packed gravel and dirt trails with some wooden boardwalks (which can be slippery when wet).
Walk/Hike Distance–Under 2 miles.
WTA Bus–Route 27 Cordata to Ferndale. Closest Stop: 1st Ave at Alder St. Stop ID 4721. Note: This stop is a 30 minute walk from our meeting location.
June
Moon of Salmon’s Return | Saturday, June 7, 2025 | 6:30-9:30PM
We will reflect on the ecological and cultural importance of salmon in this area, and contemplate what “home” means to local fish. Get silly playing games on the beach and enjoy some s’mores around a campfire as the sun sets around us.
Accessibility Info
Trailhead Bathroom–Yes
Trail–Flat, paved trail with some packed gravel areas. We will also be walking out onto flat sandy/rocky beach.
Walk/Hike Distance–Under 2 miles.
WTA –Route 75 Bellingham to Blaine/Birch Bay. Closest stop is Lincoln Road at Shintaffer Road. Stop ID 5576. Note: This stop is still a one hour walk from meeting location.
JUly
Moon of Ripe Berries | Saturday, July 6, 2025 | 7:00-9:30PM
We will be appreciating the bounty of mid-summer, eating berries off the vine, and prowling for beavers and other nocturnal creatures as the sun sets.
Accessibility Info
Trailhead Bathroom–Yes
Trail–Flat, packed gravel and dirt trails with some wooden boardwalks (which can be slippery when wet).
Walk/Hike Distance–Under 2 miles.
WTA Bus–Route 27 Cordata to Ferndale. Closest Stop: 1st Ave at Alder St. Stop ID 4721. Note: this stop is a 30 minute walk from our meeting location.
August
Moon of Dry Grass | Saturday, August 9, 2025 | 7:00-9:30PM
We will be getting curious about the plants of late summer, looking for evidence of changing seasons and reflecting around a peaceful pond as we listen to the frogs croak “hello” to the moon
Accessibility Info
Trailhead Bathroom–No
Trail–Packed dirt and gravel trails with only a slight incline in some spots.
Walk/Hike Distance–Less than a mile.
WTA Bus–Not accessible
September
Moon of Harvest | Saturday, September 6, 2025 | 6:00-8:30PM
We will be looking for evidence that autumn is just around the corner, and learning about native plants and trees as we meander a private property that has been managed for wildlife for years. In years past, we have seen beaver, many birds preparing for migration, and heard lots of frogs and owls.
Accessibility Info
Trailhead Bathroom–No
Trail–Flat, packed dirt and gravel
Walk/Hike Distance–Less than one mile
WTA Bus–Not accessible
October
Moon of Falling Leaves at Bayview Cemetary | Saturday, October 4, 2025 | 4:30-7:00PM
A more somber and reflective outing than most. We will walk the cemetery to appreciate the abundant lichen growing on headstones, learn about local historical figures buried there, and share personal stories about loved ones who have passed on.
Accessibility Info
Trailhead Bathroom–No
Trail–Paved and flat, packed dirt and gravel. Mostly flat with some gentle hills.
Walk/Hike Distance–Under 2 miles.
WTA Bus Route 512 Sudden Valley to Downtown Bellingham. Closest Stop: Lakeway Dr at Bayview Cemetery. Stop ID 2124. Note: Stop is a five minute walk from our meeting location.
November
Moon of Frost’s Return | Friday, November 15, 2024 | 9:30-11:00PM
Join us for a Low Tide Potluck! This evening has a very strong negative tide, and after enjoying some warm tea, cocoa and potluck snacks, we will explore the shore for as long as our fingers and toes are warm. Low Tide reveals many creatures usually hidden below the surface, and we may see sea stars, nudibranchs, pipefish, sand dollars and more! Bundle up in all your warmest layers, the shore is often significantly colder than in town.
Accessibility Info:
Trailhead Bathroom: yes
Trail: We will be walking out onto a flat, sandy/rocky beach.
Walk/Hike: Under 2 miles with very frequent stops
December
Moon of Winter | Friday, December 6, 2024 | 4:00-6:30PM
For this special outing, we are partnering with LFS Marine & Outdoor’s annual Ladies Night event. We will gather at a nearby park to do some birding and nature art, and then walk together to LFS, where there will be free lattes, giveaways, deals, and more! The Wild Whatcom bus will be available to drive participants back to the park if desired - walk is less than .5 miles.
Accessibility Info
Trailhead Bathroom–Yes
Trail–Flat pavement
Walk/Hike Distance–Under 1 Mile.
WTA Bus Route 47 Downtown to Harbor. Closest Stop is Squalicum Harbor 3472. Note: Stop is a five minute walk from our meeting location.
Moon names courtesy of Lummi Indian How Stories by Ethel Fyles Beck.
Ladies Night Out 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.