You can make a difference in our community by joining the City of Bellingham and the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (NSEA) for the annual Make a Difference Day and Arbor Day work party. The work party will be held on Saturday, October 27 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at Whatcom Falls Park. Volunteers will help improve water quality in Whatcom Creek by removing social trails that cause erosion and planting native trees and shrubs.
The work party will conclude with free pizza donated by Papa John’s and a closing statement from Bellingham Mayor Kelli Linville. No RSVP is required for this free, family-friendly event except for groups of 10 or more people. Tools, gloves, instructions and refreshments will be provided. Volunteers need only bring weather-appropriate clothing and closed-toe shoes.
What: Make a Difference Day and Arbor Day community work party.
When: Saturday, October 27, 2018 from 9 a.m. to noon.
Where: Whatcom Falls Park via the lower entrance on Silver Beach Road, near the fish hatchery. From Lakeway Drive, turn north on Silver Beach Road. Sign in at the tents.
Travel by bus: Use the online trip planner on the Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) website to find routes that stop near Whatcom Falls Park.
Travel by car: Limited parking is available in Whatcom Falls Park via the Silver Beach Road entrance (from Lakeway Drive turn north on Silver Beach Road) or Electric Avenue entrance (at the intersection of Arbor Street and Electric Avenue). Additional parking and FREE shuttle will be available from Bloedel Donovan Park, 2114 Electric Avenue. Carpooling is encouraged!
Who: You, your friends and family, and other community members (all ages welcome.)
You need: Weather-appropriate clothing and closed-toe shoes.
We provide: Tools, gloves, and instructions. Pizza donated by Papa John’s and refreshments provided by NSEA.
Hosted by: The City of Bellingham Parks and Recreation, the City of Bellingham Public Works Natural Resources Division, and NSEA are hosting this event. Partners include Whatcom Mountain Biking Coalition, Treekeepers, Washington Native Plant Society, and Audubon. Funding for NSEA is provided by American Forests, Alcoa, Andeavor, BP, Community Food Co-Op, ERM, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Patagonia World Trout, Starbucks, and Tony’s Coffee.
Work party contact: Amy Brown, Bellingham Parks Volunteer Coordinator, at apbrown@cob.org or 360-778-7105.
Details: RSVP is only required for groups of 10 or more people. Please RSVP for large groups by contacting Amy Brown at apbrown@cob.org or 360-778-7105. Unaccompanied youth under the age of 18 must provide a www.cob.org/workparties.
Background
Whatcom Falls Park is one of the City’s oldest and most iconic parks with unique forest and stream habitat in the heart of Bellingham. While many park users enjoy the extensive trail system, off-trail use has expanded. This off-trail use causes a number of environmental problems, including damaged vegetation and soil erosion. Soil eroding into Whatcom Creek harms salmon and trout by clogging their gills and making it difficult for them to build or cover their redds (nests).
Off-trail use can be reduced by planting bare soil with native plants and discouraging access with logs and signage. Volunteers will be helping complete this important work to improve fish and wildlife habitat in Whatcom Creek.
