2024 Impact Report
-20 Years Outside-
20 Years Outside:
Looking Back to Move Forward
Looking Back to Move Forward
I recently found myself in a conversation with a parent of our flagship program, Girls Explorers Club, about the tremendous impact the program had on his daughter She had long since graduated from the program, and his family had lost touch with our organization. Then he asked me my favorite question: “So how are things going now at Wild Whatcom?”
What I remember most was the look of surprise on his face after I shared each milestone and accomplishment I could think of Wild Whatcom has experienced so much growth since its inception 20 years ago and we are grateful for the opportunity to both look back at the last 20 years, and look forward to many more years of fostering connection to nature in Whatcom County. Here are a few of the things I shared with him:
Investmentinpublicschoolsprograms:ThankstocontinuedlegislativefundingandaCareer ConnectgrantwithNooksackValleySchoolDistrict,WildWhatcomprogramscannowbefoundin Bellingham,Blaine,MtBaker,LyndenandNooksackValleySchoolDistricts.
Ascholarshipmilestone:
In2023-24wegavethehighestamountofscholarships/yearinourhistory Over$93,000wenttosupportingyouthwitheconomicbarrierstoparticipatinginoutdoorprograms.
Natureasaplaceforeveryone:
Lastyearwecontinuedexpansionofourpublic/by-donation CommunityPrograms.WelaunchedBIPOCWalks,sawincreasedinterestinOutandAbout(our LGBTQIA+program)andWonderWalks(accessiblenaturewalks),anddevelopednewcommunity partnershipstoconnectwithpeoplewhomightneedextrasupportgettingoutdoors,suchaspeople withdisabilities,olderadults,andpeoplewithdementia
Weareprofoundlygratefulfortheopportunitieswehavehadovertheyearstogrowourimpactinthe community.Eachyearbringswithituniquechallengesandpossibilities,andweareexcitedtokeep dreamingandthinkingbigwithyouasweworktogeteveryoneinourcommunityoutinnature!
SammyJolly,ExecutiveDirector
One of the first Boys Explorers Club gro
20 Years Outside: 2004 - 2024
Aimee Frazier starts exploring local nature with her daughter. Soon, her daughter’s friends join, and word spreads of their outdoor adventures. The Explorers Club is founded.
Our founding board files to officially make Wild Whatcom a 501c3 nonprofit.
An after school programNeighborhood Nature and night outings for womenLadies Night Out, are added to Wild Whatcom’s offerings.
Holly Roger and Rachel Castor start leading Wild Whatcom Walks nature outings for families.
The 1st “fellows” cohort is hired - a group of mentors that work across programs. This eventually develops into salaried field staff positions.
2015-16
The SEED program for special education students and EdVentures in school field trip program begin. These programs aim to address inequity in outdoor education by reaching children during the school day.
Wild Whatcom Nature Preschool and Wonder Walkslow barrier nature walks for adults, begin
2020-21
Staff adapts programming in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
2023
Out & About - nature outings for LGBTQ+ adults launches.
Wild Whatcom receives an Outdoor Learning Grant to expand to 5 school districts
Current Strategic Priorities and Looking to the Future
In 2021, Wild Whatcom Staff and Board dedicated many meetings and the annual staff retreat to develop a list of strategic priorities to guide the organization in fulfilling its mission to foster lifelong connections to nature. These strategic priorities and actions have served as map for Wild Whatcom as we have grown and developed, to ensure that all of our decisions are mission aligned, and guided by a commitment to equity.
Our 4 main strategic priorities are to:
Increase inclusivity of and access to all programs
Serve as advocates in the community for accessible and inclusive outdoor education.
Develop additional support structures for staff to create equitable, accessible work opportunities.
Foster diverse, distributed leadership across the organization.
We are excited to share milestones we reached this year in furtherance of these goals, challenges we continue to face, and opportunities to continue making progress toward these efforts.
Staff discuss strategic priorities at the annual staff retreat.
[WildWhatcom’s]SEEDprogramhasmadenatureand scienceconceptsmoreaccessibletoourdiverse students.ThelayoutoflessonsallowsforIEPgoalstobe metforacademic,adaptive,fine/grossmotorandSEL areas.Wealsolovedtheabilitytocollaboratewith facilitatorstomeettheneedsoftheschoolpopulation.
Looking Back - Notes from the 2017 Staff & Board retreat, brainstorming reducing barriers to participation
Increase inclusivity of and access to all programs
Continued Investment in Free Community Programs
We continued to prioritize public programs that are identity inclusive, financially accessible, and physically accessible
LOOKING FORWARD SUCCESSES CHALLENGES
As donation optional programs, only 11% of these programs are funded by direct donations to the programs
In 2023-24, $10,800 in grant funding was secured for our Community Programs, for a program funding total of 20%
With more interest from grantors and donors, we aim to cover 75% of program costs in 2025
Increasing Scholarship Funding to Offset Program Costs
In 2023-24, we provided the highest amount of scholarship funds in our 20 year history - over $93,000.
Developing and Deepening Community Partnerships
This year, Wild Whatcom expanded its partnerships to better serve: adults with developmental disabilities, adults with dementia, and Nooksack Tribe Youth.
We are seeing increased need for scholarships, but donations have not yet met this demand
In 2023-24, we provided $93,647 in scholarships to 16% of youth enrolled in programs!
A newly created fundraising committee will support fundraising for scholarships
Redesigning In-school Programs to Ensure Outings are More Accessible
We worked with public school teachers to adapt field trips and add teaching strategies that benefit special educations students, english language learners and all kids!
Time! It takes time to build relationships and gain momentum in partnership programs
We worked with 26 partners, including school districts, community based orgs, & governmental entities We will continue to deepen and expand partnerships to ensure we are serving our whole community
While many changes are universal, creating outings to support specific students and classrooms is time intensive
This year we reached 937 students across 10 special education classrooms and 50 general education classrooms
We look to use our learnings from this process to continue improving and advising other programs
Advocate for accessible and inclusive outdoor education
Advocating at the State Level for Inclusion in Outdoor Education
Our schools team advocates for inclusive day programming and advises on inclusionary best practices in programming at the state level
Advocating in Local Schools
We worked with local schools and school program partners to advocate for inclusionary practices when developing outdoor program models
Staff support and diverse, distributed leadership
Traditional and Non-traditional Benefits for Staff
We offered health benefits to year round staff for the first time and continued to offer non-traditional benefits: annual gear stipends, professional development banks, and mental health stipends.
Engaging more Stakeholders to Promote Distributed Leadership
We developed & expanded opportunities for people to engage in outdoor education in our community and serve as decision makers and advisors in Wild Whatcom’s work
CHALLENGES
LOOKING FORWARD SUCCESSES
Opportunities to participate at the state level often include travel and unfunded time
While there is desire from all to do this work, finding time to meet and collaborate can be difficult
This year, we participated for the 3rd year in a row at House Bill 2078 Advisory Committee for Outdoor Learning In 2024-25, we will expand our audience by presenting at E3 Washington’s Outdoor Educators Conference
We are still working to build financial capacity to offer benefits to a wider group of staff
We worked with Nooksack Valley School District to develop an outdoor, Career Connected program with inclusion in mind
We will begin programming with this focus in Nooksack Valley Schools in 2024-25
Staff involvement in Board Committees has remained challenging due to scheduling
Thanks to a Whatcom Community Foundation grant, we expanded mental health stipends for all staff
As we write grants, and evaluate program pricing, we are building budgets to increase staff wages and benefits
We grew volunteer hours to 3,610 hrs, and had our 1st group of summer interns in partnership with CLEC AmeriCorps.
We are developing an advisory committee with staff and community members to guide inclusive program design
EdVentures Program Bellingham
Funded by HB2078 Outdoor Learning Grants
Kids learn about the intertidal zone
I appreciate the Wild Whatcom leaders com take my class on the outdoor adventures bec gives my students a different outdoor activi can do so close to our schools... I appreciat leaders positive attitude and caring for e student. They have a knack for working wi students in a positive intent manner, even w to reach students. It allows kids who might s in the classroom setting to shine and feel s while we're on our outing with the leade
-Blaine 3rd Grade Teacher
Out & About celebrates LGBTQ+ joy outdoors
“I am a low income single mom who strives to provide meaningful experiences for my daughter. She is a natural explorer, loves the outdoors and water. Without a scholarship I would not be able to give her this unique experience.”
-Scholarship Recipient Parent
Our Strategic Plan in Action!
“Itwasamazingtogetoutand experiencenaturewhile connectingwithmy community.Igotidepooling alot,butthiswasoneofmy favoritetimes,becauseIgotto experienceitwithmyfellow LGBTQ+folks.Inatimewhen thenewsissosadandhardto hear,experiencingsome queerjoywasreallygoodfor myheart.”
-Out&AboutParticipant
Career Connect Cards for Nooksack Valley Schools’ Outdoor Programs
2023-24 Financials
Thanks to our 2023-24 Partners!
We are only able to create the impact we do each year with the support of our partners. We extend our most sincere gratitude to the donors, business partners, community based organizations, and local and state agencies that make our work possible!
Adventures Northwest
Agate Pond Preserve
Art and Happiness
Bantam Chicken
INCOME
EXPENSES
Bellingham Ear Nose and Throat
Bellingham Pediatric Dentistry
Bellingham Parks & Recreation
Bellingham Public Schools
Binyon Vision
Birch Bay Burns
Birch Equipment
Blaine School District
Boundary Bay Brewery
Candela Technologies
Cambia Health Foundation
Camp Saturna
Chuckanut Builders
The Chuckanut Center
Common Threads Farm
Community Boating Center
The Dudley Foundation
Dorothy Place
Douglas and Maria Bayer Foundation
Explorations Academy
Fairhaven Pediatrics
Funky's Hot Sauce Factory
Garmo Family
Gear Aid
GIRLnDOG Cookies
Glitt3r Lyfe
Gretchen Leggitt Art
Haggen Foundation
Home Farm
IMCO
Industrial Credit Union
Jordan Fund
K’UL Chocolate
Lynden School District
Marine Life Center
Mount Baker School District
NSEA
Nooksack Valley School District
North Cascades Audubon Society
North Cascades Institute
Northwest Mushroomers Assoc.
Northwest Regional Council
Northwest Tuneup Festival
OSPI
Pacific Education Institute
Pacific Rim Tonewoods
Padilla Bay Foundation
Puget Sound Energy Foundation
RE Sources
Representative Alicia Rule
Samson Rope
Seeking Health, LLC
Stones Throw Brewing Co.
Superfeet
Tony’s Coffee
Trader Joes
The Upfront Theatre
WA Recreation & Conservation Office
Washington Trails Association
Whatcom Community Foundation
WaFd Bank
Whatcom Kid Insider
Vamos Outdoors Project
WA Recreation & Conservation Office
WA State Parks
WA Trails Association
Whatcom County Parks
Whatcom Land Trust
Youth
