Reconnect Earth would like to respectfully acknowledge that all our winter and spring trips take place on the traditional, sovereign territory of Indigenous peoples including the Lummi, Nooksack, Samish, Swinomish, and others. We challenge ourselves and others to seek out ways to help rectify past and present-day injustices against Indigenous peoples and work to dismantle systems that perpetuate colonialism.

Note: due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Reconnect Earth is suspending trips for this spring until further notice. Our first priority is ensuring the health of participants and of the wider community who could be affected by the virus. We will continue to monitor the situation and hope to be able to re-start trips as soon as health authorities have advised it is safe to do so.

Exploring Lake Padden

Lake Padden is one of the major landscape features of the Bellingham area, and an important habitat for countless species of plants and animals. We’ll hike some of the forested trails around the lake, admiring huge trees, looking for wild ducks on the lake, and more. We’ll also take time for a discussion or two, and talk about ways to speak out locally on environmental issues.

When: Saturday, April 11th, 11:00am – 3:00pm*

Location: Meet at the Lake Padden Dog Park (a 10-minute drive or 30-minute bike ride from WWU; also accessible via the 533 or 540 bus).

What to bring: Lunch, a full water bottle, and a rain jacket. Sturdy shoes recommended.

Difficulty level: Moderate.

Suggested donation: $10. Register

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Hiking Lookout Mountain

Join us for a hike along the trail system that loops up and over Lookout Mountain, with a panoramic view of Lake Whatcom at the top! This trip will be during the height of spring wildflower season, and we’ll take lots of breaks to admire and identify the flowers and other organisms we find along the trail. We’ll also have discussions about forest succession, our place in the natural world, and ways to take positive local action.

When: Sunday, April 26h, 11:00am – 3:30pm*

Location: Meet at the Lookout Mountain Preserve Trailhead (a 20 minute drive from WWU, also accessible via the 512 bus).

What to bring: Lunch, a full water bottle, and a rain jacket just in case. Sturdy shoes recommended.

Difficulty level: Moderately challenging.

Suggested donation: $10. Register

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Following Whatcom Creek

Since time immemorial, Whatcom Creek has been a place of importance to the Indigenous people of what is now the area around Bellingham. It is also an important habitat for wildlife ranging from salmon to river otters and even harbor seals. We’ll start at the mouth of Whatcom Creek where it enters Bellingham Bay, then follow it through a semi-forested, semi-urban environment all the way up to the stream’s source at Lake Whatcom. Join us as we get to know Bellingham’s natural landscape at a deeper, more intimate level.

When: Sunday, May 10th, 11:00am – 3:00pm*

Location: Meet at Maritime Heritage Park, (a 30-minute walk or 10-minute bike ride from WWU, also accessible by bus).

What to bring: Lunch, a full water bottle, and winter weather clothing. Sturdy shoes recommended.

Difficulty level: Moderately challenging.

Suggested donation: $10. Register

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Hiking the Chanterelle Trail

From near the shore of Lake Whatcom, the Chanterelle Trail leads up to an overlook with an absolutely stunning view of the lake, the town of Bellingham, and Bellingham Bay in the distance. The way up to and down from the overlook will take us through forest where we’ll practice identifying plants and wildlife pause for an activity or two, and discuss our role in protecting the Lake Whatcom watershed from harm,

When: Saturday, May 23rd, 11:00am – 4:00pm*

Location: Meet at the Chanterelle Trail parking area (a 30-minute drive from WWU).

What to bring: Lunch, a full water bottle, and rain jacket because you never know. Sturdy shoes recommended.

Difficulty level: Moderately challenging.

Suggested donation: $10. Register