Whatcom County residents looking for a meaningful way to spend a June Saturday should mark their calendars for June 14, when the annual "What's the Point?" event returns to Point Whitehorn Marine Reserve in Birch Bay. The free, family-friendly gathering brings expert naturalists, geologists, and conservation advocates together at one of Whatcom County's most scenic coastal preserves -- and it coincides with some of the lowest tides of the year.
Point Whitehorn Marine Reserve spans 54 acres of forest and beachfront along the Semiahmoo Peninsula in Blaine, Washington, just south of the Canadian border. The reserve is managed by Whatcom County Parks and offers some of the most diverse intertidal habitat in the region, home to sea stars, hermit crabs, sculpin, and a wide variety of shore birds. Because the reserve's tidelands are sensitive to foot traffic and disturbance, access is best during organized events like "What's the Point?" -- where trained naturalists guide visitors to the most interesting spots while keeping the ecosystem intact.
Now in its seventh year, "What's the Point?" is hosted by Whatcom Land Trust in partnership with several local conservation organizations. The event is designed for curious minds of all ages. There are no tickets, no registration, and no cost -- just show up at the shuttle parking area at 7039 Jackson Road in Blaine and ride down to the beach.
This year's program includes a structured schedule of presentations running through the afternoon. At 10:10 a.m., naturalists Pam Borso and Greg Green will lead a walk departing from the parking lot, focusing on the plants, birds, and ecology of the reserve's forested bluffs and beach fringe. At noon, geologist Doug Clark will offer a tour of the beach's geological history, explaining how glacial forces and sea-level changes shaped the shoreline over thousands of years. At 12:30 p.m., Keeley Chiasson will present on natural beach processes -- the forces of wave action, sediment transport, and coastal erosion that continue to reshape Point Whitehorn today. All presentations meet at the beach.
New this year, the Whatcom Marine Resources Committee will operate an intertidal exploration table at the shoreline, where visitors can examine live tide-pool species up close. The table lets children and adults handle organisms safely under supervision -- an up-close look at the small creatures that make the Salish Sea intertidal zone one of the most biodiverse environments on the West Coast.
A free shuttle runs from the Jackson Road parking area down to Point Whitehorn, eliminating the need to navigate the limited beach-access roads. Organizers ask that attendees leave their pets at home: the reserve's wildlife and sensitive habitat areas are easily disturbed by dogs, and the county's rules prohibit pets in the intertidal zone during low-tide events. The reserve itself is open to leashed pets on other days, but June 14 is an exception.
The event reflects Whatcom Land Trust's broader mission of protecting and connecting people with the county's natural lands. Since 1984, the organization has conserved more than 14,000 acres across Whatcom County, including farmland, forests, and coastal areas like Point Whitehorn. The annual "What's the Point?" event is one of the trust's most visible public programs -- a way to put residents directly in contact with the landscapes that make Whatcom County distinctive.
What to watch for after June 14: Whatcom Land Trust and partner organizations typically hold post-event debriefs and share species counts from the day's tide-pool exploration. Participants can expect to see purple sea urchins, ochre sea stars, acorn barnacles, and possibly sunflower sea stars as the region continues to recover from sea star wasting syndrome. The Whatcom MRC posts updates at their site following the event.
To learn more about "What's the Point?" and get directions to the Jackson Road shuttle parking area, visit the Whatcom Land Trust event page. Additional details are available through the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce and the Whatcom Conservation District. The event runs all afternoon on June 14 -- bring sunscreen, sturdy shoes, and a willingness to get a little muddy.
