Celebrate Earth Day alongside more than 1 billion people worldwide by joining the City of Bellingham and the Salish Sea Institute at Western Washington University as well as many other community partners for our annual Earth Day Community Work Party on Saturday, April 20th from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. along Squalicum Creek.
Together, we will remove invasive species to improve fish and wildlife habitat and help water quality near the Squalicum Creek Re-route project. This important ecological restoration project was constructed in 2020 to benefit salmon and other native species.
You need: Weather-appropriate clothing, long pants, closed-toe shoes, snacks, and a full water bottle.
We provide: Tools, gloves, instruction, and light refreshments, including free Woods coffee generously donated for this event. Participants who live in Bellingham can also get a free tree to take home as part of our Community Tree Programs.
Volunteers should be aware that the work party site includes typical park uneven terrain. Volunteers assume all liability for conducting volunteer work within the project area.
Additional information will be emailed to registered participants. Register early, space is limited. If you sign up, please show up! All ages, abilities, and experience levels are welcome.
This event is Parkscriptions Certified!
Donations for Lydia Place:
We are partnering with Lydia Place to accept donations for their organization at our event. Lydia Place is a local non-profit working to disrupt the cycle of homelessness and promote sustained independence for current and future generations.
Their highest needs for their client closet currently are cleaning sprays, cleaning wipes, & dish soap (only sealed products accepted). Please bring an item or two from that list to this work party to donate to Lydia Place if you can!
Important Registration Steps:
- After you have completed the required waiver (adult or youth), please be sure to then click "Sign Up" to complete your registration for the event! Completing the waiver does not automatically sign you up.
- If you are bringing any additional volunteers or family members, please sign up as a team or have them join the site, sign the waiver, and then sign up individually. Here are some guides:
- Responding to a Need as a Team : Galaxy Digital
- Guide to Connect Waivers: For Parents and Guardians of Minors : Galaxy Digital
- If you are bringing any youth under age 18 and have issues with the waiver or don’t want to create a separate account for them, you can also sign a paper youth waiver at check-in on the day of the work party. Just be sure to reserve spots on your team for them.
- Thank you for your patience as we continue to iron out the details with our volunteer registration system!
Here are some quick reminders about our youth liability release form:
- Unaccompanied youth under age 18 must provide a Youth Liability Release Form signed and completed by their legal guardian.
- This liability release form can be completed online when registering or you can bring a signed paper copy to the event.
- Participants under age 16 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
Directions:
This event takes place at the Squalicum Creek Re-route site near where Squalicum Parkway and Birchwood Avenue meet, just north of PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center.
- Where to meet: Please meet at the Birchwood PeaceHealth Parking Lot located off of Birchwood Avenue. Parking, a free bike valet, and the sign-in tent will be located here. Event staff will then lead groups of volunteers to the work site. Thank you to PeaceHealth for providing access to this parking lot for our event!
- Travel by bus: Several Whatcom Transportation Authority bus routes serve the area. The closest stop is located along Birchwood Ave at Squalicum Pkwy. Find your route using the online trip planner at ridewta.com.
- Travel by bike or foot: The work party site is accessible by bike or foot. Find your bike route by visiting cob.org/bike and your walking route by viewing the outreach map below. A free bike valet located near the sign-in tents in the Birchwood PeaceHealth Parking Lot will be provided by Let’s Bike Bellingham!
- Travel by car: Parking is available in the Birchwood PeaceHealth Parking Lot. Carpooling is encouraged!
All registered participants will receive more information via email about accessing the event site the evening before the work party.
Map:
Questions? Want to learn more or request accessibility or language accommodations? Contact pkvolunteers@cob.org or 360-778-7105.
