EVENTS
Pacific Rim Institute has regular events throughout the year.
Join us for one of our educational, free, or fundraising events.
Sign up for our newsletter to stay on top of upcoming public events.
Fruit Tree Workshops
4 Saturdays to help you prepare to grow your own fruit trees.
Presented by Dan Vorhis from Muscle and Arm Farm
A fifth workshop has been added in May
February 15, 2025: Fruit Tree and Vine Pruning 10 AM – 1 PM
Classroom portion addresses the science of pruning; field lab is hands-on in the orchard. Unless it is pouring down rain, we'll have the lab regardless of weather (which is usually cold and damp), so dress for it.
March 29, 2025: Hardwood Grafting 10 AM – 12 PM
Addresses the science of grafting, followed by a hands-on bench grafting lab (apple). Everyone goes home with their grafted tree. Bring your grafting knife if you have one. We provide the rootstock, scion wood, and necessary tools and materials.
April 26, 2025: Soil Science 10 AM – 12 PM
Soil is the basis for much of plant agriculture. Knowing your soil is a little bit like knowing how your engine works when you drive a car, or knowing a little about food science when you cook. Our focus in this class is to give you a basic understanding of key elements of soil science that bear directly on the health of your plants, and what you can do about it.
Whidbey Gardening Workshop
Come say hello to Pacific Rim Institute staff and volunteers in the marketplace of the Whidbey Gardening Workshop, Oak Harbor High School, March 15, 2025.
This is a full day of information, activities, resources, and shopping for garden and nature loves.
Presented by the Island County Master Gardener Foundation.
Earth Day
Join Pacific Rim Institute and other environment-based organizations at Camp Casey on April 19, 2025 from 10 AM to 2 PM of a day of Education, Collaboration, Activation, and Celebration!
There will be a central hub with information, activities and immersive experiences, and volunteer opportunities.
Explore the beach, forest, prairie, or take part in bird walks!
Free, family friendly, and open to all!
Prairie Days
Join Pacific Rim Institute on the prairie or at the native plant center on May 2nd and 3rd.
We will have guided tours of the prairie and the native plant center, and the native plant sales.
Come purchase native grass, Romer's fescue, and flowers such as camas, starry cerastium, wester buttercup, columbine, and more!
This event is free!
More information to come.
New Workshop:
Fresh Figs
May 24, 2025: Fresh Figs in Maritime Washington 10 AM – 12 PM
Fresh figs are delicious, and beneficial for your health. And fig trees produce very well on many sites on Whidbey Island.
However, online information and even nursery catalogs are not always accurate. We will give you the information you need to decide if your site can reliably grow figs, which cultivars we've cropped here, which ones we are still testing, and which to avoid. And we'll show you how to reliably propagate your own trees. The class is made up of a 1-hour slideshow class with questions, followed by an hour of hands-on propagation. You'll go home with your own, self-propagated tree.
Class cost - $25 advance payment, $30 at door.
YEARLY EVENTS
We invite you to join us for events throughout the year.
Fruit Tree Workshops
Jan-April
Dan Vorhis of Muscle and Arm Farm leads this series of hands-on classes are great for beginners looking to grow their own fruit trees, one Saturday a month from January to April. Take one, all, or any variety of the workshops offered.
Tree Selection and Care - This class helps you decide which fruit trees are right for you to grow here on Whidbey Island.
Pruning - Covers what tools you need and how to care for them, as well as the techniques and training needed.
Bench Grafting - Learn how to properly graft scion wood to rootstock.
Soil 101 - Learn what soil is best for the garden you aim to create.
Prairie Days
Early May
Get out and see our prairie during peak bloom. Guided tours of both the prairie and our Native Plant Center are offered throughout the day. Take some time to learn about the native plants, insects, and birds that share Whidbey Island with us.
Purchase your own native plants during out Native Plant sale and help restore the ecology around your own home.
Seed Collecting
Summer
Throughout the summer we need volunteers to help collect and process the seeds of the many species that grow on PRI property. This is a great chance to enjoy the outdoors and do something good for the environment.
Whidbey Island Cider Festival
Late September
The Whidbey Island Cider Festival is the major fundraiser for Pacific Rim Institute. Filled with music, children's activities, and the opportunity to sample local ciders, wines, beer, and sprits for those 21 and over who purchase drink tokens and a sampling glass.