Community Events

National Public Works Week

Across the country, and here in Bellingham, each May during National Public Works Week, we recognize the services that Public Works provides our communities 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The City of Bellingham Public Works department provides essential services such as clean drinking water, wastewater treatment, stormwater management, protection of natural resources, and safe streets and sidewalks for transportation. Learn about the activities the City offers to celebrate this week.

Two City of Bellingham workers in neon yellow and orange clothing operating machinery on a sidewalk.

​​​​​​​​​Meet a Public Works Truck

This event is an opportunity for children, their families, and other interest​ed individuals to view some of the equipment used to keep our City running and meet the staff who operate this equipment. The event features demonstrations, activities, and crafts for children. 

Young girl sitting in parked truck smiling out window. The truck has a City of Bellingham logo on it.

Whatcom Water Week​

This ​annual event celebrates the importance of our water resources through a multitude of activities that share information, inspire stewardship, and foster community. Held each September, Whatcom Water Week is coordinated by the Whatcom Watersheds Information Network (WWIN) and partially sponsored by the City of Bellingham. 

Group of people on a tour standing on a bridge smiling.

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Tours

Tours of the Water Treatment Plant and the Wastewater Treatment ​Plant​ are available free of charge to interested groups by request. Go behind the scenes with City staff at Whatcom Falls Park to see the process of cleaning our drinking water from Lake Whatcom and/or visit Post Point to discover how we treat our dirty wastewater before discharging it into Bellingham Bay.​​ The Public Works Department also provides tours of the treatment plants to 5th grade students in Bellingham as part of its Bellingham Water School​ program. 

Group of school children in bright yellow vests on a tour looking at a water treatment process.

Annual​ Volunteer Work Parties

​The Public Works Natural Resources Division and Bellingham Parks Volunteer Program co-host three annual work parties in recognition of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service in January, Earth Day in April, and Make a Difference Day in October. These work parties provide opportunities for the community to contribute to efforts that improve water quality and fish and wildlife habitat in local streams. Sign up for the quarterly Habitat News email to receive updates about these three work parties, or find a list of upcoming work parties. 

Man smiling as he clears ground to plant a tree

ALL IN for Climate Action Week​

The City hosted its first annual ALL IN for Climate Action Week​ in 2019. This week ​is a celebration of all the knowledge, progress, and resources our community has to offer when looking for solutions to address global climate change at the local level. This week aligns with the United Nations (UN) Climate Action Summit in September and features a variety of events hosted by the Bellingham community. Sign up for Climate News emails to receive updates about Climate Action Week and the City’s climate work.

Group of people standing in crowd listening to a speaker next to water

Neighborhood Meetings or School Presentations

City staff are available to attend neighborhood meetings or provide presentations or tours to school groups to share information about issues of interest or concern. ​Please contact nreducation@cob.org to request more information.

More Information 

Resources

Contacts

​Environmental Education and Outreach Group
Public Works Natural Resources
nreducation@cob.org​​