Events listed here are contingent on whether each jurisdiction is approved to enter the corresponding phase of the governor’s four-phase reopening plan. Events may be canceled or postponed. Check with each venue for the latest information.
Outfitting at home: You can now make a free virtual outfitting appointment with an REI expert on Feb. 15 via Microsoft Teams. Whether you are interested in exploring a new outdoor activity, want to get the next great piece of gear or advice for an upcoming adventure, an outfitting expert from the Alderwood store is available to help from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Registration is required. A Microsoft Teams link will be emailed to you after you book your appointment. More at www.rei.com.
Get wild: The Camano Wildlife Habitat Project, sponsored by Friends of Camano Island Parks, hosts presentations the third Wednesday of the month. The next presentation, “Northwest Swans” is set for 7 p.m. Feb. 17 via Zoom. Martha Jordan of Northwest Swan Conservation Association will lead the presentation. She will talk about the trumpeter and tundra swans that migrate through Washington at this time of year. A Zoom link will be emailed to you with registration. Call 360-387-2236 or go to www.camanowildlifehabitat.org.
Youth Art Contest: Snohomish Conservation District welcomes youth in Snohomish County and Camano Island to submit entries into its fourth annual Youth Art Contest tied to its 36th annual Native Plant Sale. Details and resources can be found on at snohomishcd.org/art-contest. The theme is “nature journaling” and the deadline to enter is Feb. 24. Email education@snohomishcd.org or call 425-335-3634 with questions.
Avalanche safety: Learn the fundamentals around travel in the wintertime backcountry. The Lynnwood REI presents the Northwest Avalanche Center’s “Winter Navigation” workshop 6:30 p.m. March 2 via Zoom. This class focuses on winter navigation and how to use topographical maps to identify avalanche terrain and snowpack development. Cost is $15 for NWAC members, and $25 for non-members. A Zoom link will be emailed with registration. More at www.rei.com.
Outdoor Speaker Series: McKenzie Johnson will give a talk about her mountaineering experiences 6:30 p.m. March 8 at Marysville Opera House, 1225 Third St., Marysville. Johnson, who credits her accomplishments to being eight years sober, will also share her work with Recovery Beyond, a nonprofit that helps addicts recover via outdoor training and mountaineering. Doors open at 6 p.m. Cost is $5 with online registration. Capacity limited to 50. More at www.marysvillewa.gov or 360-363-8400.
Free park-ing: The next day of the year to visit Washington state parks in 2021 without an entrance fee is Washington State Parks’ 108th birthday on March 19. Other free dates are April 3 (Spring Day), June 5 (National Trails Day), June 12 (National Get Outdoors Day), June 13 (Fishing Day), Aug. 25 (National Park Service’s 105th birthday), Sept. 25 (National Public Lands Day), Nov. 11 (Veterans Day) and Nov. 26 (Autumn Day). More at www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
Don’t park along Mount Baker Highway: Washington State Patrol is enforcing new parking laws along Mount Baker Highway. Parking at shoulders and chain-up area pullouts along the Mount Baker Highway between the Salmon Ridge Sno-Park (mile 46) and Picture Lake (mile 55) is prohibited. Pullouts are reserved only for first responders and public safety services such as snow chain installation. Roadside parking around the Picture Lake Loop and by the upper Mount Baker Ski Area Lodge is prohibited from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. and is reserved for WSDOT snow operations and vehicles. WSP may ticket and/or tow vehicles parked over the fog line, in pullouts not designated for long-term parking, and vehicles parked during nighttime hours. More at www.fs.usda.gov/mbs.
Outdoor Speaker Series: Patrick McGinty will talk about his bike ride across America on the Southern Tier from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. April 13 at the Marysville Opera House, 1225 Third St., Marysville. McGinty averaged 80 miles per day over 43 days on his solo ride. He’ll also talk about his trials, tribulations and rewards for completing the route. Doors open at 6 p.m. Cost is $5 with online registration. Capacity limited to 50. More at www.marysvillewa.gov or 360-363-8400.
Find your favorite park: Still playing it safe? Virtually explore Washington’s state parks during the pandemic. Washington State Parks Foundation’s website features an interactive map of Washington’s 124 state parks, as well as virtual tours, park information and trip reports. The virtual tours provide a 360-degree view with navigational tools and a walk-through of state parks, trails, campgrounds, retreat centers, interpretive centers and vacation houses. More at www.waparks.org.
Email event information for this calendar with the subject “Outdoors” to features@heraldnet.com.
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