Special Publications - Living Here - Living Here_Resources

POSTED: Sunday, Mar. 30, 2008

Recreation

OUTDOOR CLUBS

Bellingham Mountaineers, 312-9016, www.bellinghammountaineers.org

Mount Baker Bike Club, 752-1236, www.mtbakerbikeclub.org

Mount Baker Club, 392-1015, www.mountbakerclub.org

Nooksack Nordic Ski Club, 734-8782, www.nooksacknordicskiclub.org

North Cascades Audubon Society, 380-3356, www.northcascadesaudubon.org

Northwest Ski & Recreation Club, www.nwskiers.org

Northwest Tulip Trekkers, 679-3638, www.nwtrekkers.org

Washington Association of Celestial Observers, www.whatcomastronomy.org

Washington Native Plant Society Koma Kulshan Chapter, 714-8629

Western Washington University's Associated Students Outdoor Center, 650-3112, www.outdoor.as.wwu.edu

Whatcom Association of Kayak Enthusiasts, www.wakekayak.org

Whatcom Chapter Backcountry Horsemen, 966-4640, www.bchwhatcom.com

WHIMPs (Whatcom Independent Mountain Pedalers), www.whimpsmtb.com

CLASSES

Many local stores offer free in-store educational clinics and host groups that offer cycling, hiking, walking, running and other outdoor activities.

Bellingham Parks and Recreation, 778-7000, www.cob.org/parks

Whatcom County Parks and Recreation, 733-2900, www.whatcomcounty.us/parks

OUTDOOR ORGANIZATIONS

Conservation Northwest, 671-9950, www.conservationnw.org. Conservation Northwest combines outreach, communication and science with passion and innovation to build coalitions and partnerships with local communities and to implement science-based solutions that conserve wildlife and habitat.

Merlin Falcon Foundation, 671-3804, www.merlinfalconfoundation.org. Explores better understanding of the merlin falcon.

Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association, 715-0283 www.n-sea.org. Community-based nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring sustainable wild salmon runs in Whatcom County.

North Cascades Institute, (360) 856-5700, ext. 209, www.ncascades.org. Offers seminars and retreats, school programs and summer youth adventures, teacher education and internships, volunteer stewardship programs, a graduate degree program in environmental education, and custom programs for groups.

Pacific Northwest Trail Association, (877) 854-9415, www.pnt.org. Hosts hikes and work parties on the Pacific Northwest Trail.

Parks Volunteer Program, 778-7105, www.cob.org/government/public/volunteer/parks/index.aspx. Organizes volunteer habitat restoration and trail maintenance work parties.

People for Puget Sound, (206) 382-7007, www.pugetsound.org. Programs on education, habitat restoration, kids, policy and pollution.

RE Sources, 733-8307, www.re-sources.org. Provides information, citizen trainings and workshops, and volunteer-led field programs to help community members safeguard marine waters, rivers, lakes, beaches and air. Runs a Beach Naturalist training program.

Watershed Master/Beach Watchers, 676-6736, whatcom.wsu.edu. Provides education, local connections and support to volunteers who want to preserve and enhance water quality and aquatic resources in Whatcom County. Annual spring training is $50 and includes numerous field trips

Whatcom Land Trust, 650-9470, www.whatcomlandtrust.org. Preserves and protects wildlife habitat, scenic, agricultural and open space lands in Whatcom County for future generations by securing interests in land and promoting land stewardship. Provides educational tours of land trust properties.

RESOURCES

Arne Hanna Aquatic Center, 1114 Potter St., 778-7665. www.cob.org/services/recreation/aquatic/index.aspx. Public pool featuring open swim, fitness classes and swim lessons.

Bellingham Parks and Recreation Department: 3424 Meridian St., 778-7100, www.cob.org/parks. Parks, trails, fitness and family programs.

Birch Bay Waterslides, 4874 Birch Bay-Lynden Road, Blaine, 371-7500, www.birchbaywaterslides.net.

Boat licensing: 676-6740, www.co.whatcom.wa.us/auditor/index.jsp, click on "Licensing vehicle and vessel" for locations.

Greenways and trail maps: The Bellingham Parks Department has free maps of the greenways and trails inside the city limits. The parks office is located at 3424 Meridian St. in Cornwall Park.

Hunting, fishing and shellfish harvesting information: (425) 775-1311, www.fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov. Information on hunting, fishing and shellfish harvesting seasons and licensing, or contact local sporting goods stores for information. Regulations for Whatcom Creek in Maritime Heritage Park are posted at the estuary.

Homestead Farms Golf Resort, 115 E. Homestead Blvd., Lynden, 354-1196, www.homesteadfarmsgolf.com.

Lake Padden Golf Course, 4882 Samish Way, 738-7400, www.lakepadden.com.

Marine Life Center: Harbor Center Building, 1801 Roeder Ave., 671-2431. Explore the diversity of life in the waters of Puget Sound and the Washington coast at the Marine Life Center. Roll up your sleeves and gently experience sea creatures in your own hands at the touch pool. Volunteers are available to answer questions. Admission is by donation. The Marine Life Center also offers classes to schools, groups, clubs and parties.

Mt. Baker Ski Area: 734-6771, www.mtbaker.us. At the terminus of Mount Baker Highway. Winter snowsports.

Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest: Mt. Baker Ranger District, 810 State Route 20, Sedro-Woolley, (360) 856-5700, www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs. Glacier Public Service Center and Heather Meadows Visitor Center open seasonally. Outdoor recreation and camping.

Port of Bellingham: 676-2500, portofbellingham.com. Marina information for Squalicum and Blaine harbors. Red-tide hot line: (800) 562-5632. Find out when it is safe to harvest shellfish. A shellfish license is required to take anything classified under state shellfish regulations, including sea cucumbers, seaweed and squid.

Sea Links Golf Course: 371-5400 sealinksgolfcourse.com.

Semiahmoo Resort, 9565 Semiahmoo Parkway, Blaine, 371-7015, www.semiahmoo.com, click on "Golf."

Skate Park: 1400 block of Puget Street, just off Lakeway Drive near Civic Stadium.

Shuksan Golf Course, 1500 E. Axton Road, 398-8888, www.shuksangolf.com.

Sportsplex: 1225 Civic Field Way, 676-1919, www.bellinghamsportsplex.com. Skating rink, indoor soccer field, skating lessons, camps, soccer and hockey teams, open skate.

Sudden Valley Golf Club, 4 Clubhouse Circle, 734-6435, www.suddenvalley.com.

Tide table: QwestDex phone book "Community Pages." Plan your beachcombing appropriately.

Whatcom County Youth Soccer Association, 384-6323, ext. 8; www.whatcomsoccer.com. Recreational soccer program for children. Games played at the Northwest Soccer Park, corner of Northwest Drive and Smith Road.

Whatcom County Parks: 3373 Mount Baker Highway, 733-2900, www.co.whatcom.wa.us/parks. Parks, trails, facilities, senior centers, outdoor classes and trips, youth and family adventures, cultural art classes.

Whatcom Family YMCA: 1256 N. State St., 733-8630, www.whatcomymca.org. Exercise facilities, swimming/wave pool, wading pool, climbing wall, child care, camps and classes.

Lynden Activity Center, 100 Drayton St., Lynden, 354-5000.

Ferndale Activity Center, 5610 Barrett Road, Ferndale, 380-4911.