Parks Volunteer Program
WINTER PLAYBOOK 2026 | BELLINGHAM PARKS & RECREATION
16
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY OF SERVICE
COMMUNITY WORK PARTY
Celebrate the power of
community and join the
City of Bellingham and
partners to honor
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
through two community
events: a Day of Service
volunteer work party
on Saturday, January
17th, and a community
celebration on Monday,
January 19th.
For our annual MLK Jr. Day of Service Community
Work Party, join us at:
Squalicum Creek Park
Saturday, January 17th
from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Together, we'll plant native trees and shrubs to restore
habitat in Squalicum Creek Park near Willow Spring.
Our work will be supporting salmon habitat recovery,
improving water quality, in an effort to advance environ-
mental justice efforts in alignment with Dr. King's vision
of clean air, water, and healthy communities for all.
Tools, gloves, instructions, Tony's coffee, snacks, pizza,
and FREE bike valet are provided. All ages and abilities
are welcome. No previous volunteer experience needed.
Volunteers are encouraged to bring shelf-stable food
donations for Birchwood Food Desert Fighters to this
work party.
Please register at: volunteerbellingham.org/need
Stewardship in Your Backyard
If you can't join our work party, you can still take
part in cultivating a healthy urban environment
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 and
Manage Weeds Naturally webpages 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 resources
were compiled by City biologists and weed
management experts to help your backyard
stewardship efforts succeed.
cob.org/backyard-habitat and cob.org/weeds
Spend your Monday with the Community Consortium for
Cultural Recognition, a partnership of local education,
city, and nonprofit organizations. This event includes a
panel of community leaders and a free breakfast. Learn
more at: cob.org/mlk2026.
