Wonder Walks
Ages 18+ | Fridays 11:30-1:00PM | 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 include some silly activities and nature journaling, providing ample opportunities to create connections with like-minded adults who love spending time outdoors!
This program takes place at various locations around Whatcom County on low barrier, low incline trails. Trail surfaces include gravel, pavement, and packed dirt. 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! Nature journaling and art are part of every walk, so please bring a notebook, journal, or sketch pad of your choice. 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 not required. Weekly registration opens every Friday for the following Friday’s outing.
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.
Trailhead Bathroom
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.
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.
June
MARINE PARK
Summer brings so many changes to notice. It is the perfect season to explore the wonders of the waterfront. When the tide is low, we will explore the beach and look for shells, crabs, and seastars, and when the tide is high, we will follow the trail to the Heron Rookery to spy on the colony of baby herons up in the trees. Wearing rainboots, water shoes, or other sturdy footwear suitable for exploring in the sand is recommended. A sweatshirt or jacket can also be helpful, as the shore is windy and significantly cooler than the surrounding area.
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 collect some sea-life from the beach below the boardwalk to observe up close. 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!
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.
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!
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.
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.