News

      No Whatcom Land Trust (WLT) project has generated as many accolades or created so much enjoyment as the Stimpson Family Nature Reserve, assembled through generosity and community support.        When the Land Trust is trying to conserve a significant property, the challenge is usually to raise enough money. Here, the challenge was also daunting––how to encourage seven siblings …

The Wilderness Land Trust recently completed the transfer of 21 acres of previously private lands to public ownership within Washington’s Mount Baker Wilderness, adding them to the designated wilderness area.  Nationwide, there are over 275,000 acres of private property, known as inholdings, within designated wilderness areas. Unlike the surrounding wilderness, the acreage is not protected and can be developed with …

It’s time to go through all the wonderful photos you’ve taken while on hikes this year and submit your best to WTA’s Northwest Exposure Photo Contest. The contest runs from August 10 to October 12. You can submit them at: wta.org/photocontest. A lucky few may have their photo selected for our annual Crescendo fundraiser with the Northwest Symphony Orchestra in …

The beloved Bellingham Traverse is back, coming to our local woods, mountains, lakes, waterfront, and Bellingham Bay on August 29, thanks to Whatcom Events, which took over the management of the Traverse late last year. The Bellingham Traverse, a multi-sport relay race, was the creation of local recreation visionary Todd Elsworth in 2002.  Elsworth, inspired by the writings of David …

Start planning your hikes for the Washington Trail Association’s annual Hike-A-Thon fundraiser during August! You can register in mid-June, and you’ll be able to personalize your fundraising page on WTA.org and collect donations in support of trails. Follow WTA on Facebook for more information. Washington Trails Day (wta.org/watrailsday) is June 27. Trails are essential to our health—get outside to enjoy …

For those inspired by the art of nature, Painted Forest: The Science and Beauty of Petrified Wood, currently on display at the Whatcom Museum (Old City Hall), should not be missed. This remarkable display of wood turned to stone offers aesthetic delights that rival any exhibition of abstract painting or modern sculpture. Petrified wood is a type of fossil created …

You won’t want to miss the Washington Trails Association’s (WTA)  third annual Crescendo concert on April 24 at Benaroya Hall in Seattle. This celebration of music and nature is a collaboration between the Northwest Symphony Orchestra (NWSO) and WTA.  Experience photos from WTA’s annual Northwest Exposure Photo Contest on the big screen while listening to sweeping melodies performed live by …

For many outdoor enthusiasts, the idea of adventure is closely tied to disconnection. The Pacific Northwest, with its dense forests, alpine lakes, rugged coastlines, and volcanic peaks, offers countless opportunities to unplug from daily noise. Whether hiking in the Cascades, kayaking along the San Juan Islands, or road-tripping through Oregon’s high desert, getting away often means stepping outside of routine …

Troubled by the increasing levels of trash along Whatcom Creek in Bellingham, Washington, Matt Bryant decided to do something about it, and Trash Club was born in 2020. Bryant brought the idea to The Hub Community Bike Shop, a Bellingham-based non-profit committed to keeping waste out of landfills by building refurbished and custom bikes with donated frames and parts. What prompted you …

Most public policy conflicts have well-defined opposing camps. Left vs Right, Rich vs Poor, Permissive vs Puritanical, the Yankees vs the Red Sox, etc. Yet sometimes a policy decision is so knotted that even similar minds find themselves at odds. This is where the finer points of ethics and morality become deeply explored. Such is the case with the barred …