This Sunday, June 14, two of Whatcom County's most active conservation organizations are teaming up for an intertidal exploration event that is equal parts science, community, and shoreline wonder. Whatcom Conservation District is joining forces with BBWARM, the Birch Bay Waterways and Wetlands Association for Restoration Management, at the annual What's The Point? event hosted by Whatcom Land Trust. Visitors can stop by their joint booth and take part in guided intertidal exploration along the shoreline.
What's The Point? is one of Whatcom Land Trust's signature public programs, designed to connect community members with the remarkable biodiversity of the Puget Sound intertidal zone. During low tides, the rocky and sandy flats between the water's edge and the high-tide line become accessible windows into one of the richest ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest. Sea stars, anemones, crabs, chitons, snails, and countless other creatures live in this narrow band of shoreline -- a zone that exists at the intersection of land and sea and depends on the health of both.
Intertidal ecosystems in Whatcom County have faced multiple pressures in recent decades, including shoreline development, stormwater runoff, and the effects of warming and acidifying ocean waters. BBWARM focuses specifically on the health of Birch Bay's waterways and wetlands, working to restore habitat and improve water quality in and around one of the county's most beloved coastal communities. The Whatcom Conservation District supports landowners and local governments across the county in implementing practices that reduce erosion, protect water quality, and restore natural systems.
The combination of these two organizations at a single booth at What's The Point? reflects the kind of cross-agency collaboration that characterizes much of Whatcom County's conservation work. Residents who show up will have the chance to talk directly with people who work on these issues every day -- and to see firsthand what a healthy intertidal zone looks like when it is protected and allowed to recover.
Whatcom Land Trust has been protecting land in Whatcom County since 1984, with a particular focus on farmland, forests, and shorelines. The organization holds conservation easements on thousands of acres across the county and actively works to connect protected lands into larger corridors that benefit both wildlife and human communities. Events like What's The Point? are part of their mission to build public connection to the landscapes they protect -- the belief being that people protect what they love, and they love what they know.
Details on the exact location of this year's What's The Point? event are posted at whatcomlandtrust.org/event/whats-the-point-2026. The event is free and open to the public. Participants are encouraged to wear shoes they don't mind getting wet and to bring a sense of curiosity. The tidal flats are typically accessible during the low tide window, and guides will be on hand to identify species and explain the ecology of the zone.
Birch Bay is located roughly 20 miles northwest of Bellingham, near the community of Blaine. The bay is a popular summer destination for Bellingham families and visitors from across Whatcom County, and its shallow, warm-water flats have made it one of the most accessible spots in the region for beachcombing and shoreline recreation. Events like this one are a reminder that those beaches are also living ecosystems that depend on ongoing stewardship.
If you have been meaning to explore the Birch Bay shoreline or want to introduce your family to the intertidal world, this Sunday's event is a good opportunity. The event draws a mix of curious newcomers and longtime naturalists, and the organizations involved always make it welcoming for all ages and experience levels.
