Bellingham Parks & Recreation Leisure Guide
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Family/Community WINTER PLAYBOOK 2023 | BELLINGHAM PARKS & RECREATION 14 "Without trees there is no life, without life there are no trees." – Enock Maregesi Come Join Us Celebrate the collective power of community by joining the City of Bellingham, the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (NSEA), and many other community partners for our annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service Community Work Party. Together, we will restore habitat in and around the new Little Squalicum Estuary, an important shoreline habitat that was constructed in 2022 to provide a place for juvenile salmon to grow before migrating to the ocean. Join us at: Little Squalicum Park Saturday, January 14th from 10 am to 1 pm We will plant native trees and shrubs in and around the Little Squalicum Estuary to improve salmon habitat, water quality, and a beloved community park. Through this work, we hope to exemplify the environmental justice movement, which was inspired by Dr. King through his concern for the urban environment. Environmental justice embodies the principle that all people have the right to clean air, water, and soil, as well as the right to live in safe and healthy communities. All ages and abilities welcome. No previous volunteer experience necessary. Tools, gloves, instruction, snacks, Tony's coffee, and FREE Papa John's pizza provided. RSVP in advance for this free event, spots are limited. To register and learn more, visit cob.org/mlk2023 Stewardship in Your Backyard If you can't join our work party, you can still be a part of our community's habitat restoration work by creating wildlife habitat in your own backyard or neighborhood. Enhancing habitat attracts birds, butterflies, and other pollinators, beautifies our neighborhoods, and improves air and water quality, which benefits everyone in our community. Visit our Backyard Habitat Restoration website for tips and ideas on you can safely remove invasive species, plant native trees and shrubs, and improve soil and water quality, all while having fun with your family and neighbors. These tips and ideas were compiled by City biologists and restoration experts to help improve the success of your backyard stewardship efforts. cob.org/backyard–habitat Become a Park Steward and Volunteer Independently If you want to volunteer independently, you can adopt a local park, trail or open space to care for. Park Stewards are long–term volunteers who work independently after receiving training and direction. Park Stewards can volunteer individually or as a group. This is a great way to get the whole family involved! Learn more at: cob.org/parkvolunteer MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY OF SERVICE Special thanks to project funders and landowners including Lehigh Northwest Cement Company, Port of Bellingham, Whatcom County, NSEA, BNSF, Dept of Ecology Centennial Clean Water Program, Dept of Ecology One–Time Grant Program, WA State Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account Grant Program, WA State Estuary and Salmon Restoration Program, and USFWS National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program.