Spring Backyard Habitat classes at Woodland Park Zoo!

At this series of five classes, you'll learn from experts from Seattle Audubon, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington Native Plant Society and Woodland Park Zoo about how to attract birds and other wildlife to your backyard, select and care for native plants, recognize and remove invasive plants species, coexist peacefully with the wildlife you attract, conserve water, manage your backyard without the use of chemical herbicides and pesticides, place feeders and bird houses, and get your yard certified as a Backyard Habitat. Classes are designed to build on each other as a series, but may also be taken separately.

Introduction to Backyard Habitat: Site Analysis and Design
Wednesday, March 2nd from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Join Allen Howard, Woodland Park Zoo horticulture staff, to learn the basic principles of creating habitat for wildlife, with a focus on planning, site analysis, and design.

Spring Plants and Planting
Sunday, March 13th from 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Join David Selk, Woodland Park Zoo horticulturist, to discover how different plants in your garden can provide for the basic needs of wildlife. The class includes a plant walk around zoo grounds focusing on aesthetic and size considerations, as well as proper planting techniques.

Butterflies and Bees
Thursday, March 31st from 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Join Woodland Park Zoo entomologist Erin Sullivan and horticulturist David Selk to discover how to attract and care for local butterflies and bees. You’ll learn about the importance of these backyard pollinators as well as the threats they face and what you can do to help, including insect-friendly gardening practices.

Attracting Birds to Your Yard
Tuesday, April 12th from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Join Neil Zimmerman, Seattle Audubon Outreach Chair and Master Birder, to learn how to attract and care for birds in your yard through plant selection, placement and maintenance of bird feeders and nestboxes, and use of water features.

Water Features for Wildlife
Tuesday, April 26th from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Clean, fresh water is a crucial part of any habitat. Join Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife Senior Research Scientist Marc Hayes and Wildlife Biologist Chris Anderson in learning about the variety of ways you can provide water for urban wildlife in your own backyard. You'll see examples of different types of water features, such as ponds, birdbaths and fountains. You'll also learn about the natural history of local amphibians and how to provide habitat for these sensitive animals.


Cost: $25 per person / $100 for the five-part series if you register before 6:00 pm on Wednesday, February 23.

To register, go to http://www.zoo.org/backyardworkshop. Registration closes one week before each class. If there is still space available after registration closes, drop-in registrations will be accepted the night of class. Drop-in classes are $30 each. To inquire about space availability, contact the Individual Registration Specialist at 206.548.2424 or individual.registration@zoo.org.