Welcome,
Hello, we appreciate you taking the time to dig into our Outdoor Recreation & Nature Education information page. This is a layout of the Who, What, Why, Where, When & More! of this new program launched in June 2021. We hope you’ll join us outdoors.
Who We Are
Recreation Northwest provides opportunities for people to be introduced to beginner and intermediate experiences learning outdoor recreation skills, enjoying the health benefits of being mindful outdoors through immersive experiences in nature, and have a local guide lead you by foot, or bike to connect our parks and our people together through adventure and storytelling. We have a rich history. This is Our CREW!
Our Mission: We teach the health benefits of nature, promote outdoor recreation, and steward the places where we play.
Bellingham Headquarters
1126 N. Forest St.
Bellingham, WA 98225
What We Do
We curate local outdoor recreation and nature educational experiences in the outdoors for small groups of people. We provide sustainable transportation alternatives via a van shuttle and recreational experiences by foot, or bike. We take care of you. See Scholarship Opportunities.
Why We Do What We Do
We used to put on large events. We have been leveraging our Parkscriptions program to tout the healing benefits of nature for the public with health care providers and through a public health campaign and our WPF map tool. In 2019, we started exploring providing our own public programming to help those who are new to the outdoors or to the area. Excited to launch in 2020, the pandemic took the wind out of our sails.
Over the course of the “past year” (since lockdown in March 2020), we have witnessed resounding recognition for the value that the outdoors holds, and the healing powers nature provides. This was also seen in challenges in the overcrowding and lack of preparedness many “newbies” exhibited leading to both physical and environmental harm. Unfortunately, some people just didn’t know better.
The opportunity lies with us, Recreation Northwest, to help educate the public by providing these opportunities to engage with our instructors & guides in small groups outdoors learning essential outdoor recreation skills, methods for mindfulness in nature, and familiarity with the landscape and how to recreate responsibly and be good stewards of our public parks, open space, and waterways.
Where We Go
In partnership with Bellingham Parks, we focus our attention on utilizing and connecting Fairhaven Park & Woodstock Farm in South Bellingham. Our hiking, and biking tours also include other Bellingham Parks & Greenways Trails. We GO Outside! Our programming takes place on the ancestral homelands of the Coast Salish Peoples.
Where to Stay
We offer great deals for you to stay in style at either Bellingham’s SpringHill or TownePlace Suites Marriott as our host hotels. We have other local lodging friends we work with and recommend: Recreation Northwest Local Lodging – Host Hotel and Partners
When We Go
Year round! We offer custom experiences so you can plan to go when you need. If you don’t see what you are looking for reach out to us and we can work with you to design an experience that fits your goals.
Our Values
Our core philosophy is Be SAFE, Have FUN, Show RESPECT. We also are members and follow these practices:
Recreate Responsibly Coalition
Think Local First & Towards Zero Waste – Sustainable Connections
About Recreation Northwest
See About Us for our background and approach.
Our Work outlines our Programs, Education, Advocacy and History.
Our Crew makes it happen. Contact Us.
Based in Bellingham, WA – The Outdoor Recreation Capital of Washington State.
Bellingham Headquarters
1126 N. Forest St.
Bellingham, WA 98225
