Explore, restore and celebrate the Sehome Hill Arboretum at Arboretum Day, May 30
With miles of trails through lush forest and soaring views from the observation tower, the Sehome Hill Arboretum stands as a not-so-hidden treasure right in Western Washington University’s backyard.
Celebrate the 175+-acre oasis we lovingly call “the Arb” at Arboretum Day, a full day of activities on Saturday, May 30, starting at 9 a.m. and winding down around 3:30 p.m. All events will begin or take place at the new Lhaq ’temish-ew’xw e tse XwLemi – House of Healing, 505 Arboretum Drive, at the south end of the arboretum. The entire day is free and open to everyone.
“The arboretum is this beautiful forest right next to campus that allows students and community members to connect with nature,” said Caleb Barville, co-director of WWU’s Ecological Restoration Club and the lead organizer of Arboretum Day. “It’s basically downtown, but you can get to a place where you can’t hear cars. The fact that you can do that is so cool.”
Like the arboretum itself, Arboretum Day has something for everyone: hiking, birdwatching, nature-inspired crafts, learning about the Arb, and listening to music under the trees.
Morning restoration work party
Kick off the day with a restoration work party from 9 a.m.–noon with the Bellingham Parks Volunteer Program, WWU’s Ecological Restoration Club, and Learning, Environment, Action, Discovery (LEAD). Volunteers will help remove invasive species at a trail entrance near the House of Healing. Bring sturdy shoes and meet at the House of Healing. Organizers provide tools, gloves, and instructions. Learn more about the work party and register to participate here.
Food and music
At 11:30 a.m., the Common Threads Food Truck will serve free burrito bowls and harvest bowls to the first 150 people. There will also be snacks throughout the day including Bagelry bagels and granola bars, fruit snacks, fresh fruit and other goodies from the Community Food Co-op. Live bluegrass from noon to 2 p.m. by Western Americana Music Group provides the musical backdrop for the afternoon.
Arts and crafts
Visit the craft tables between noon and 3 p.m. to weave a basket using Himalayan blackberry canes that volunteers removed from the arboretum or bring along a t-shirt or tote bag to eco-print a one-of-a-kind design using leaves and flowers.
Interpretive walks
To experience the arboretum, join an interpretive hike through the arboretum. Hikes depart from the House of Healing every hour between noon and 2 p.m., each lasting about 45-60 minutes. Knowledgeable faculty, students and community members lead walks focusing on a different aspect of the Sehome Hill Arboretum — from the geology that created the hill to ethnobotany to local bird species. No need to preregister; sign up at the check-in table at the House of Healing.
Stories from the hill
Cap off the afternoon with a storytelling circle around 3 p.m., where community members share memories, experiences, and connections with the arboretum.
Community connections
Between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., meet representatives from local community organizations, including Whatcom Land Trust, Whatcom Million Trees, Bellingham Parks and Recreation, Salish Seed Guild, WWU Community Service Center, Students for Climate Action at WWU and Western Americana Music Group.
Arboretum Day is presented by the College of the Environment, WWU Ecological Restoration Club, WWU Office of Tribal Relations, Bellingham Parks and Recreation, Outback Farm, Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies. Financial support from the Sustainability, Equity, and Justice Fund and the Environmental Studies Department makes the event possible.
For questions or accommodations, contact wwuecologicalrestoration@wwu.edu.
Jennifer Nerad covers Western’s College of the Environment and College of Business and Economics for the Office of University Communications. Have a great story idea? Reach out to her at neradj@wwu.edu.