BPR

Family/Community SPRING/SUMMER PLAYBOOK 2022 | BELLINGHAM PARKS & RECREATION 16 DAY/DATE: Thursday, April 21 TIME: 6:00 pm to dusk LOCATION: Meet in the parking area at the top of Arboretum Drive (off Bill McDonald Parkway). Hidden Forest Foray Explore the plants of the Sehome Hill Arboretum, a "secret" natural area in the heart of Bellingham with guidebook author and former Arboretum board member Mark Turner. Introductory Plant Walks with the Washington Native Plant Society We are teaming up with members of the Koma Kulshan Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society (WNPS) to offer fun, free, informal walks in our parks this spring. These introductory plant identification walks will feature an easy pace, last about two hours and focus on a variety of habitats with intros to common trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants native to our area. People of all ages and experience levels are welcome. Dress for the weather. All hikes coordinated by Ryan Robie and members of WNPS. For more information visit: wnpskoma.org. DAY/DATE: Sunday, April 24 TIME: 1:00-3:00 pm LOCATION: Meet at Fairhaven Village Green stage Native Plants on the Lower Padden Creek Trail Stroll the shady Padden Creek trail in Fairhaven. Learning to identify common trees and shrubs, their unique plant "personalities" and how they interact in this dynamic urban green space. DAY/DATE: Thursday, May 12 TIME: 6:00 pm to dusk LOCATION: Meet at the Maritime Heritage Park pavilion Downtown Plants Enjoy an early evening walk investigating native plants in the urban environment. We will follow the Native Plant Trail in Maritime Heritage Park along Whatcom Creek and learn about the plants, their names, and uses in native Coast Salish tradition. Join anthropologist Allan Richardson, co-author of Nooksack Place Names. Staff Spotlight We are thrilled to welcome back James Weppler as our new Parks Project Manager. James has spent that last 16 years with the City of Mount Vernon Parks and Enrichment Services Department as the Operations Supervisor. He grew up in the Sedro Woolley area and holds a professional degree from the Community Tree Management Institute. James has certification from the NRPA as a Certified Playground Safety Inspector and Parks and Recreation Professional in addition to attending the Pacific Northwest Resource Management School. James served here in Bellingham from 2001-2004 as the Urban Trails Specialist and has a wealth of experience with park maintenance, building remodels/renovations, trail construction, playground installation, capital project management, and serving community stakeholders. James will be managing a variety of projects for Design & Development and Park Operations Divisions. When not working, he enjoys traveling to Idaho where he owns vacation property. James can be reached at: jdweppler@cob.org / (360) 778-7119

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