Earth Week is underway in Bellingham, and the City of Bellingham has lined up a series of community events designed to connect residents with the environment and with the organizations working to protect it. From children's library programs to hands-on habitat restoration, there are opportunities throughout the week for people of all ages to participate.
The City of Bellingham is hosting Earth-themed Children's Storytimes in partnership with the Bellingham Public Library. These programs bring environmental themes into early literacy activities, helping young readers connect with nature through books and stories. Bellingham Public Library branches offer storytimes in accessible, welcoming settings, and the Earth Week editions are open to families with children of all ages.
For those looking to get their hands dirty in service of a local watershed, the City is organizing a volunteer work party to restore habitat and improve water quality at Squalicum Creek. Squalicum Creek flows through Bellingham before emptying into Bellingham Bay, and it serves as habitat for salmon and other wildlife. Volunteer restoration work at sites like Squalicum Creek includes removing invasive plants, planting native species, and clearing debris from the creek channel, all of which improve the creek's ecological function and help restore conditions that support fish passage and spawning.
Residents looking to responsibly dispose of hard-to-recycle items will have a chance to do so at a drop-off event that will accept electronics and batteries. These items require special handling because they contain materials that can leach harmful substances into the environment if they end up in a landfill. The City's drop-off event makes it easy for households to clear out old electronics and batteries responsibly, without contributing to hazardous waste problems.
One of the more distinctive offerings this week is a guided tour of the City's Padden Creek fish passage project. Padden Creek flows through south Bellingham and Whatcom Falls Park before reaching Bellingham Bay, and it has been the subject of significant restoration work in recent years. Fish passage improvements remove barriers that prevent salmon from reaching upstream spawning habitat. A guided tour gives residents an inside look at the engineering and ecological thinking behind this kind of infrastructure work, which is easy to overlook but critical for the health of local aquatic ecosystems.
The City's commitment to Earth Week reflects Bellingham's broader identity as a community that takes environmental stewardship seriously. Bellingham has set ambitious climate goals, invested in green infrastructure, and built partnerships with organizations like Gabriel's Art Kids and other local nonprofits to make environmental education and action part of everyday community life.
Earth Day is observed on April 22 each year, giving communities around the world a focal point for environmental awareness and action. Bellingham's Earth Week programming extends the spirit of that day across a full week of activities, reflecting the city's approach to embedding environmental values into community life year-round.
The full schedule of Earth Week events is available at cob.org/earthday2026. Residents are encouraged to check the schedule and pick the events that fit their interests. Some events may have limited capacity, so checking early and signing up in advance is recommended. Whether you are a longtime environmental activist or just looking for a meaningful way to spend a few hours outdoors this week, Bellingham has something to offer during Earth Week 2026.
