Pick up a free tree on Nov. 29
Help grow Bellingham’s urban forest! Our Community Tree Programs support a healthier, greener city by expanding tree canopy cover and contributing to our climate action and forest protection goals. As part of these programs, Bellingham residents are invited to pick up a free native tree sapling at the City booth at the Bellingham Farmers Market on Saturday, Nov. 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Available species include Shore Pine, Mountain Hemlock, Cascara, and Paper Birch — while supplies last!
Work will begin soon on waterfront cleanup project and park
Work is expected to start in the next few weeks on an extensive environmental cleanup project that will transform the waterfront by turning a historic eyesore into a beautiful waterfront park. The project will clean up a contaminated area that was historically used for various industrial activities, including a wood treatment facility and municipal landfill.
The cleanup work will take place at the same time as the first phase of the future Salish Landing Park. Once construction begins, it will take up to three years to complete. During construction, Glass Beach will not be open to the public because it is within the project area and will ultimately become part of Salish Landing Park.
City and NWCAA reach agreement on Post Point air-quality improvements
The City of Bellingham and the Northwest Clean Air Agency have reached an agreement that closes out last year’s Notice of Violation at the Post Point Wastewater Treatment Plant. The agreement doesn’t include any finding that the City did anything wrong. Instead, this jointly drafted agreement sets the direction for the major air-quality upgrades we are already moving forward with.
These upgrades will modernize aging equipment, strengthen protections for our air, and support the reliable wastewater service our community relies on every day. Work to improve Post Point is already underway, and we’ll continue sharing updates as progress is made on the Emission Control Upgrade page.
Think at the sink
With the holidays coming up, kitchens will be busy. It’s easy to “wash and walk away,” but a little extra care at the sink helps protect your home and our community.
Please remember: Only send water down your kitchen drain. Holiday fats, oils, and grease — like turkey drippings, butter, and cooking oil — solidify in pipes, causing costly clogs and sewer backups. They also build up in sewer lines and disrupt equipment at the Post Point Wastewater Treatment Plant. Extra food scraps in the garbage disposal add strain to the treatment process and can contribute to algae blooms in Bellingham Bay.
You can help! Scrape food scraps into your FoodPlus! bin and cool and toss fats and oils in the trash. A little mindfulness at the sink keeps pipes clear, protects the bay, and keeps things running smoothly during the holiday season. Learn more at cob.org/clear-pipes.
Happy Thanksgiving!
During the upcoming holidays, some City facilities and services will be unavailable to the public.
- City Hall is closed Nov. 27-28, Dec. 24-25, and Jan. 1.
- Bellingham Public Library locations are closed Nov. 27-28, Dec. 24-25, and Jan. 1.
- The Whatcom Museum campus is closed Nov. 27, Dec. 24-25, and Jan. 1. Old City Hall is also closed Dec. 31.
- Arne Hanna Aquatic Center is closed Nov. 27-30, Dec. 24-26, and Jan. 1.
Public Works and Parks emergency services are available by calling 360-778-7700. Police, fire, and medic services are always available by calling 911.
