Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Water Features for Wildlife Evening Class at Woodland Park Zoo

Wednesday, April 29, 2009 from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. Cost: $20
Clean, fresh water is a crucial part of any habitat. Join Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Woodland Park Zoo staff in learning about the variety of ways you can provide water for urban wildlife in your own backyard, including logistics and construction considerations about ponds, birdbaths and fountains.

To register, please see the zoo's website: http://www.zoo.org/educate/adult/workshops.html

FREE Rain Garden Classes around Puget Sound from January through April

A rain garden is a shallow depression in a yard planted with a variety of flowers, shrubs and grasses that "don’t mind getting their feet wet." Learn how rain gardens help soak up rainwater from downspouts, driveways, and sidewalks, while protecting our local waterways. When planted with the right types of plants, rain gardens also attract birds, butterflies and bees.

You’ll receive a FREE rain garden manual and additional materials. You’ll also have a chance to start designing your own rain garden during the class! There are opportunities to gain further hands-on experience by helping create rain gardens later in the summer.

For more information and to register, see the Stewardship Partners website: http://www.stewardshippartners.org/raingarden_workshops.html

February 7th Native Plant Salvage

From King County Native Plant Salvage Program:
We’re digging native plants and need your help!
Join other volunteers digging up trees and shrubs from this site scheduled for development. In the afternoon, we’ll be potting up the salvaged plants so they can recuperate before going to King County habitat restoration sites. Once replanted, these native plants will help reduce erosion, shade streams and provide habitat. Special thanks to PacTrust for providing the salvage site.

When: Saturday, February 7, 2009
Time: 9 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. salvage at site, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. potting at Holding Facility
Where: Redmond Ridge near Redmond
Directions: From I-405, I-5 or Hwy 520, drive Eastbound 520 through Redmond and continue north onto Avondale Road. Turn right (east) onto Novelty Hill Road. Turn right (south) onto Redmond Ridge Dr. NE. Turn left onto NE Market Place Dr. Watch for signs directing you to the site.

Notes: A parent or guardian must accompany volunteers under 16 years old. Dress for the weather and be prepared to get dirty. Sturdy shoes or boots are recommended. We’ll provide gloves, tools and light refreshments.

Not a morning person? Volunteers are also needed at our Native Plant Holding Facility from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. to help pot up the salvaged plants. Volunteers that help with potting are eligible for free native plants.

Directions: Native Plant Holding Facility:
From I-5 or I-405, take I-90 east to Highland Drive exit (exit 18) in Issaquah. Stay left on the off ramp to continue onto Highland Drive through several lights. Turn right onto Issaquah–Fall City Road. Just past Endeavor Elementary School, stay straight onto Duthie Hill Road.
The holding facility is in Duthie Hill Park (on the right) at 27101 Duthie Hill Road.

Please call Cindy Young at 206-296-8065 or email cindy.young@kingcounty.gov if you plan to participate. Please do not expect a return call.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Backyard Habitat Workshop at Camp Long!

Join Woodland Park Zoo, National Wildlife Federation, Seattle Audubon, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Washington Native Plant Society at Camp Long for this informative workshop on creating a backyard wildlife habitat. Meet experts and get hands-on experience that will show how to attract birds and other wildlife to your backyard, select and care for native plants, recognize and remove invasive plants species, conserve water, manage your backyard without the use of chemical herbicides and pesticides, place feeders and bird houses, get your yard, schoolground or community garden certified as a Backyard Habitat.

This is a four-part workshop
- Tuesday, March 10, 2009 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, March 17, 2009 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, March 24, 2009 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
- Saturday, March 28, 2009from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Cost: $75 (or $140 for couples); Scholarships available for members of West Seattle Garden Club and local neighborhood associations

To register, please download a registration form from Woodland Park Zoo's website: http://www.zoo.org/educate/adult/workshops.html

For more information, contact Jenny Mears at 206.548.2500 ext. 1516 or jenny.mears@zoo.org