Whether someone is looking to spend some time outdoors, connect with nature or with other people, a Whatcom Million Trees Project planting event could be a way to do all three.
The Whatcom Million Trees Project was founded in 2021 by Michael Feerer as a nonprofit whose goal is to protect or plant one million trees in Whatcom County.
In doing so, they also made a great way to get outside, get some exercise and make a tangible difference with the work that is done.
“It’s like hiking or anything else,” said Stephen Zylstra, a local volunteer who has attended planting events in the past. “You’re not going out to solve the world’s problems, but you’re going out to have fun while hopefully being entertained, but also in this case, making a difference too.”
On Sundays during the fall and spring, Whatcom Million Trees hosts tree planting events that are open to everyone, giving people of all ages and experiences an opportunity to get outside and help to develop trees and forests.
“It feels important to us that we are able to offer a low barrier way for volunteers to actually do something that is unequivocally good, and it’s making a difference,” said Susan Hutton, the Executive Director of the Whatcom Million Trees Project. “Building a community and making people feel connected to what they’re doing and trying to cultivate hope and purpose is also something that we really value.”
The first planting event of the fall is taking place on Oct. 26, 2025, at the Whatcom Humane Society Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, located less than 10 miles outside of Bellingham. The current project there, Planting a Future Forest for Wildlife, is a project working to restore forest to a 12-acre hayfield, which will be used for wildlife rehabilitation in the future.
“We’re just trying to create a forest and really enhance the ecosystem, the native ecosystem that should be there, so that when these trees get a little bigger, they can release animals into it,” said Hutton.
No matter a person's experience level with planting or cleaning, Whatcom Million Trees helps to ensure that all volunteers learn the proper way to practice reforestation and make sure everyone is as prepared as possible.
“They do a great job of communicating with you up front about expectations; where to show up, what kind of clothing to wear, they have snacks and drinks,” said Zylstra. “They provide all the tools that you need, and they give you a little tutorial on how to plant. They want to make sure everyone understands what the expectation is.”
The event is not only a way to get outside though; it's also to build connections and help create a sense of hope for the future.
Beau Jay, a Western Washington University Environmental Studies graduate student and co-director of the Learning, Environment, Action, Discovery (LEAD) student group, discussed the importance of hosting environmentally positive events such as Planting a Future Forest for wildlife.
“Events like these, where they get the community involved, are so important because they make an impact on our ecosystem, but they also create this opportunity to build community and meet people,” said Jay. “When you’re out in the weeds, and you’re actively doing something, it gives people a sense of climate hope.”
Whether someone ends up at a planting event for the connections, the recreation or the environmental benefit, they can leave with a sense of accomplishment. A sense that they’ve not only benefited the present, but the future as well.
“The whole concept of being out there with a group of people, planting trees, even knowing we’ll never see these trees become a forest,” said Zylstra. “You feel like you’re paying it forward, you’re doing something for people that are going to come after you. It feels good.”
The Million Trees Project will host six events before the end of the year, all on Sundays. To find more information on volunteering or signing up for future planting events, visit whatcommilliontrees.org for more information.
Christian Larrañaga (he/him) is a Sports and Recreation reporter for The Front. He is in his second year at Western, majoring in Visual Journalism, and is in his first quarter at The Front. Christian spends his time in the outdoors, playing soccer or hanging out with friends. You can reach him at christianlarranaga.thefront@gmail.com.
