By Sarah Brown
Stewardship Program Manager

Community Work Parties are the perfect place to reconnect to nature, steward the land and waterways around us, and meet others. This spring, we hosted 20 work parties across Whatcom County at 14 sites along 11 different salmon-bearing creeks, including the celebration of Earth Day.

The theme for Earth Day 2022, a day of global support for environmental action, was centered around preserving and protecting our health, our families, our livelihoods, and working to “Invest in Our Planet”. In this region, investing in our planet means investing in salmon, an irreplaceably important component of local ecosystems and cultures. Partnering with the Whatcom Land Trust, we hosted an Earth Day Community Work Party along California Creek where 156 people planted 700 willows and removed Himalayan blackberry from the riparian area. We ended the event with a raffle of prizes from both organizations, Backcountry Essentials, and Patagonia!

In total, we had 678 volunteers dedicate 1,979 hours to planting 2,653 native trees and shrubs, removing 8,560 pounds of invasive vegetation, and improving over one mile of streamside habitat. Volunteers continue to inspire and motivate us with their passion and work ethic. One community member shared what stood out to them about their experience - “What a spirited and fun morning! …Probably my favorite part of my day was watching the snowberry plants emerge right before my eyes as I whacked away at the blackberry branches in front of me.”

These events would be impossible without amazing partnerships. Thank you to BP, City of Bellingham, City of Ferndale, Cloud Mountain Farm Center, Whatcom Conservation District, Whatcom Land Trust, and private landowners that helped organize these opportunities. Thanks to Backcountry Essentials, the Community Food Co-op, Patagonia, and Tony’s Coffee for in-kind donations that made these events special. And thank you to the organizations and businesses that supported us through funding like BP, ERM, Phillips 66, and through direct participation – BP, Bellingham Technical College, Boys and Girls Scouts, Environmental Resource Management, Kohl’s, Sportsman’s Warehouse, Sustainable Connections, Western Washington University, and more!