Forest Discovery Center Opening Again!

Starting Tuesday, May 26, the Forest Discovery Center will reopen for regular exhibit hours, welcoming visitors Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Whether you’re curious about what’s growing and changing in the Anacortes Community Forest Lands (ACFL), looking to connect with staff, or hoping to browse our merchandise, we invite you to stop in and spend some time exploring.

In addition to these weekly hours, the Center will continue to be open during major downtown events and festivals throughout the year, making it even easier to include a visit as part of your day in town.

We’re also excited to introduce two new year-round learning opportunities from the Friends, designed to bring our community closer to the forest in creative and practical ways.

Beginning May 30, and continuing monthly on the last Saturday of each month, join us for Art in Nature, a drop-in program for all ages. Bring your family or a few friends and enjoy a hands-on art project inspired by the natural world, while learning more about the ecosystems that make the ACFL so special.

Then, starting June 14 and continuing on the second Thursday of each month, we’ll host Friend to the Forest programs. These events focus on helping you—and our broader community—be better neighbors to the ACFL. Topics will include backyard habitat creation, native landscaping, and FireWise practices to help keep our forests and neighborhoods resilient.

And there’s more to come. As the warmer months unfold, look for additional opportunities to connect with our work and with each other through downtown events and programs.

Finally, a heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in our community survey last fall. The ideas and priorities you shared have directly shaped this season’s programming. We’re grateful for your input and excited to bring these plans to life.

To stay up to date, be sure to visit our website and check out the upcoming events page. We look forward to seeing you soon!