Join the City of Bellingham, local organizations and our community to celebrate Earth Day during the week of April 18-24, 2021. The City is hosting free family-friendly activities to honor our planet, including volunteer events, a photo contest, recycled craft tutorials, Children’s Storytimes, book lists, self-guided tours, a documentary screening and more. A few events are highlighted here; a full list with details can be found on the City’s website.
Volunteer to restore habitat in Bellingham
The City is supporting 27 small-scale work parties led by community volunteers at locations throughout Bellingham between Thursday and Saturday, April 22-24. Work parties are offered in the morning, afternoon and evening. All ages and abilities are welcome. Tools, gloves and direction provided. Masks and pre-registration are required, COVID safety guidelines must be followed.
Submit climate action photos in a photo competition
Amateur and professional photographers of all ages can participate in the 16th annual Essence of Bellingham Photo Competition. Brand new this year is a Climate Action Award, which will honor images that capture actions our community is taking to address climate change and its impacts. Participants can win this award regardless of what category their photo is entered in. Entries are due by Saturday, May 1, 2021. Complete competition details, including a submission form and winning photos from previous years, are available at cob.org/eob.
Catch the wind with an upcycled art project
Join the Whatcom Museum to celebrate Earth Day with a fun recycled art project that can be made from home. Don’t toss that old plastic water bottle, upcycle it. The Museum will share a how-to video on its YouTube channel on Monday, April 19 with instructions for creating windcatchers using plastic bottles. The YouTube channel can be accessed at bit.ly/3d9Du12.
Connect with nature through reading
Bellingham Public Library will present Earth Day themed online Storytimes the week of April 19-23 for kids ages birth to five years. Enjoy stories, songs and craft ideas that inspire a connection with and wonder of nature. Visit bellinghampubliclibrary.org/storytimes to complete a quick and free registration form for the Storytime links. For additional children’s book recommendations see the Library’s Earth Day book list for kids.
The Library has also curated a climate action themed book list, titled This World We Call Home, in honor of Earth Day. The list includes a variety of recently published print and eBook titles, as well as helpful website links. It can also be found at BellinghamPublicLibrary.org. On the homepage click “View Staff Picks,” then select the list under the heading “Notable Picks.”
Take a self-guided Stormwater Discovery Tour
Discover where rainwater goes on Bellingham’s Stormwater Discovery Tours. Explore urban and parkland areas while learning how the City keeps the water clean, filters out pollutants and prevents flooding. There are five self-guided tour sites in Bellingham. Visit stormwater.cob.org to start exploring with a mobile-friendly guide that provides maps, historical photos and underground drawings.
Stream a documentary about regenerative agriculture through the Pickford
The City is co-presenting a documentary with the Pickford Film Center and community organizations. “Kiss the Ground,” a documentary about regenerative agriculture, can be streamed online for free April 16-25. Sustainable Connections is hosting a film discussion and farmer panel on Saturday, April 24. Find more details at sustainableconnections.org/events/kiss-the-ground.
