WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – In 2021, a nonprofit formed to answer county executive Satpal Sidhu’s call to plant one-million trees in Whatcom.

The organization, Whatcom Million Trees Project (WMTP), has now planted over 2,800 trees and protected nearly 323,000.

The mission is to plant and protect mature trees, while also connecting people to nature and spreading the understanding of why trees and forests are so important to our region. The planting and protecting takes place in community parks and neighborhoods, as well rural lands in more remote parts of the county.

Though the group clarifies that young saplings won’t add notable climate or biodiversity benefits for years, they hope to spread hope though the communal planting of trees.

“There’s a lot of scary stuff going on in the world, and I think a lot of people can feel hopeless from all of that,” said Mallorey Roe, WMTP operations manager. “These work parties give people the opportunity to get out of their heads and spend a few hours putting their hands in the dirt and helping trees directly. It’s just this tangible thing that you can do with your own hands to make an immediate difference in our environment and our community.”

Volunteer planting sapling through a Whatcom Million Trees Project work party. Photo by Jacob O’Donnell
Trees planted at Whatcom Humane Society’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, protected by the “blue tubes” to keep seedlings safe. Photo by Mallorey Roe

The WMTP provides instruction, tools and guidance when they plant new trees. Volunteering it is completely free and geared towards all ages and levels of experiences. There are tree and shrub potting and understory planting events that are open to volunteer participation monthly.

Roe added that work parties are accessible and anyone can join in. There are less demanding roles such as ivy surveying, photography, graphic design, research, outreach and the assembly of the “blue tubes” that keep seedlings safe.

The organization is also also planning a mini-forest project near April this year. There is ground work being laid to plant Bellingham’s second Miyawaki Mini-Forest. The first is located on the corner of Billy Frank Jr. and E. Ivy Street, and was planted by Western Washington University students in coordination with the City of Bellingham.

The next tree and shrub seedling potting event will take place on Feb. 8 from 12 to 3 p.m. Visit the WMTP website to learn more about the nonprofit, or register for an upcoming work party.