What’s coming up
On the calendar
14th Annual Run with the Chums 5K Fun Run
Sat, Sep 12 · check-in 8:30 am, Smolt Sprint 9:30 am, 5K at 10 am · BP Highlands, 6898 Point Whitehorn Rd, Blaine
Love the outdoors, community fun, stunning views, and celebrating salmon and water? This free, family-friendly event is open to all ages and speeds. The scenic 5K course offers views of beautiful Whatcom County shoreline and beaches, and kids 10 and under can take part in the Smolt Sprint, a fun obstacle course just for them. Get there early for your free T-shirt (first come, first served)! See you at the Fin-ish Line!
The Salmon Seeker’s Guide to Whatcom County
Fri, Sept 18 · 12 – 1pm · NSEA Campus (3057 E Bakerview Rd, Bellingham)
Pack your lunch and join us in person or online! In this free lunch & learn session, we will showcase some publicly available online resources, including data from NSEA’s Salmon Spotters community science project, that you can use to better understand where and when you can see salmon in Whatcom County. Registration is required.
Salmon Spotters Training – Option 1
Thursday, Sept 24 at 5:30-7:30 PM · NSEA – 3057 E Bakerview Rd, Bellingham, WA 98226
This training is open to anyone interested in learning a little more about salmon, especially how to tell the different species apart. It is also for those that want to volunteer to collect data about salmon in Whatcom County. By visually observing a stream site twice a week, you can help us understand which, if any, salmon are returning year to year!
Salmon Spotters Training – Option 2
Wednesday, Sept 30 at 5:30-7:30 PM · NSEA – 3057 E Bakerview Rd, Bellingham, WA 98226
This training is open to anyone interested in learning a little more about salmon, especially how to tell the different species apart. It is also for those that want to volunteer to collect data about salmon in Whatcom County. By visually observing a stream site twice a week, you can help us understand which, if any, salmon are returning year to year!
Save the date for NSEA’s Salmon Soirée
Join us on Friday, October 23rd at the Chuckanut Bay Distillery Ballroom for an evening of celebration and community impact.
Every dollar raised will support healthy watersheds, engaged volunteers, and empowered students across Whatcom County to keep wild salmon here for future generations.
More details and RSVP to come.
We are now enrolling for Keystone Nature Preschool for the 2026-2027 school year!
September 9 to June 4 · Monday to Thursday, 8:30 am to 1:30 pm · ages 3 to 5
Our licensed, nature-based outdoor program will support your child’s social, physical, and emotional growth while connecting them to their natural world in a safe group setting. Financial aid is available for families who qualify.
Every spring and fall
Volunteer work parties
Community work parties run year-round! Most are on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. Tools, gloves, and training are provided, no experience is necessary, and all ages are welcome!
Stream Team work party
Wed, Sep 16 · 8 am to 12 pm · NSEA Campus, 3057 E Bakerview Rd, Bellingham
See restoration history! Help us maintain older sites and save trees from restrictive cages and blue tubes. Tools, gloves, and instruction provided. Registration required.
Invasive Blackberry Removal @ The Catalyst Corridor
Sat, Oct 3 · 9 am to 12 pm · Acme, WA
Volunteer at the catalyst corridor with us and the Whatcom Land Trust to help restore a habitat that’s been years in the making!
Stream Team work party
Wed, Oct 7 · 8 am to 12 pm · NSEA Campus, 3057 E Bakerview Rd, Bellingham
See restoration history! Help us maintain older sites and save trees from restrictive cages and blue tubes. Tools, gloves, and instruction provided. Registration required.
Blackberry Removal at Terrell Creek
Sat, Oct 10 · 9 am to 12 pm · Blaine, WA
Help us and the Whatcom Conservation District clear out invasive blackberry from along Terrell Creek at a long-term NSEA restoration site.
Orca Recovery Day @ Lower Kenney Creek
Sat, Oct 17 · 9 am to 12 pm · Deming, WA
Join Whatcom Land Trust, Whatcom Conservation District, and Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association for this regional day of action that aims to improve conditions for the critically endangered southern resident orca whales.
Stream Team work party
Wed, Oct 21 · 8 am to 12 pm · NSEA Campus, 3057 E Bakerview Rd, Bellingham
See restoration history! Help us maintain older sites and save trees from restrictive cages and blue tubes. Tools, gloves, and instruction provided. Registration required.
Community Work Party at Connelly Creek
Sat, Oct 24 · 9 am to 12 pm · Bellingham, WA
Join NSEA and the City of Bellingham as we restore wildlife habitat and protect wetlands in this lovely park on the south side of Bellingham in the Padden Creek watershed.
Blackberry Removal at Cedar Creek
Sat, Oct 31 · 9 am to 12 pm · Ferndale, WA
Join us and the Whatcom Conservation District in removing invasive blackberry and replacing it with native trees and shrubs along Cedar Creek!
Stream Team work party
Wed, Nov 4 · 8 am to 12 pm · NSEA Campus, 3057 E Bakerview Rd, Bellingham
See restoration history! Help us maintain older sites and save trees from restrictive cages and blue tubes. Tools, gloves, and instruction provided. Registration required.
Field Friday Planting @ Kelsey Nature Reserve
Fri, Nov 6 · 8 am to 4 pm · Ferndale, WA
Join Whatcom Land Trust and Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association to plant native trees and shrubs at Kelsey Nature Reserve in Ferndale.
Make a Difference Day and Arbor Day
Sat, Nov 7 · 10 am to 1 pm · Bellingham, WA
Celebrate Make A Difference Day and Arbor Day with the City of Bellingham and NSEA as we care for Cornwall Park!
Tree Planting at Bell Creek
Sat, Nov 14 · 9 am to 12 pm · Deming, WA
Join us to plant native trees and shrubs along Bell Creek and the North Fork Nooksack River!
Stream Team work party
Wed, Nov 18 · 8 am to 12 pm · NSEA Campus, 3057 E Bakerview Rd, Bellingham
See restoration history! Help us maintain older sites and save trees from restrictive cages and blue tubes. Tools, gloves, and instruction provided. Registration required.
Tree Planting at Bell Creek
Sat, Nov 21 · 9 am to 12 pm · Deming, WA
Join us to plant native trees and shrubs along Bell Creek and the North Fork Nooksack River!
Stream Team work party
Wed, Dec 2 · 8 am to 12 pm · NSEA Campus, 3057 E Bakerview Rd, Bellingham
See restoration history! Help us maintain older sites and save trees from restrictive cages and blue tubes. Tools, gloves, and instruction provided. Registration required.
Tree Planting at the Nooksack River
Sat, Dec 5 · 9 am to 12 pm · Deming, WA
Join us along the North Fork Nooksack River as we return to a property to continue cutting back Himalayan blackberry and replacing it with native trees and shrubs!
Community Work Party at Whatcom Falls Park
Sat, Dec 12 · 10 am to 1 pm · Bellingham, WA
Help us improve downstream salmon habitat near Whatcom Creek with the City of Bellingham.
Stream Team work party
Wed, Dec 16 · 8 am to 12 pm · NSEA Campus, 3057 E Bakerview Rd, Bellingham
See restoration history! Help us maintain older sites and save trees from restrictive cages and blue tubes. Tools, gloves, and instruction provided. Registration required.
Through the year
Opportunities to be involved year-round!
Year-round
Work Parties
Volunteer work parties occur all year at restoration sites around Whatcom County. The Volunteer Work Parties page covers what to expect and how to register.
Fall
Salmon Sighting Events & Salmon Spotters Project
When spawning salmon return, we host open-house Salmon Sighting events at streams around the county. Fall is also when new Salmon Spotters train for the citizen science season.
Year-round
Workshops & More
Native plant workshops, restoration project tours, and more!
Join us
We’d love to see you out there!
Pick an event and bring a friend. Questions about an event?
Email sbrown@n-sea.org or call 360-715-0283 x109.