Backyard Habitat Classes at Woodland Park Zoo

WPZ Horticulturist David Selk leading a plant walk
on zoo grounds during a Backyard Habitat class

Woodland Park Zoo is pleased to announce a new five-part series of Backyard Habitat classes. In this series, you’ll learn from experts from Seattle Audubon, PAWS Wildlife Center, Washington Native Plant Society, Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, and Woodland Park Zoo about how to design your wildlife habitat, attract birds and other wildlife to your backyard, select and care for native plants, manage your backyard sustainably, and get your yard certified as a Backyard Habitat. Classes may be taken separately or as a five-part series.

Attracting Birds to your Backyard
Wednesday, March 20th from 7 to 9 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, gardening practices, placement and maintenance of bird feeders and nestboxes, and use of water features.

Keeping Pets and Wildlife Safe in your Backyard Habitat
Thursday, April 4th from 7 to 9 p.m.
Pets are an important part of many families, but pets don’t always coexist peacefully with the wildlife you attract to your backyard habitat. Pets can also be harmed by certain plants that occur in many gardens. Please join Kevin Mack, PAWS Wildlife Center Naturalist, and David Selk, Woodland Park Zoo horticulturist, to learn how to protect both pets and wildlife in your backyard habitat.

Spring Plants and Planting
Wednesday, April 24th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Join Monica Vander Vieren, Washington Native Plant Society Native Plant Steward, and 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.

Site Evaluation, Design, and Maintenance
Tuesday, May 7th from 7 to 9 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, design and garden maintenance.

Water Features for Wildlife
Tuesday, May 21st from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Clean, fresh water is a crucial part of any habitat. Join Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife Biologist Chris Anderson and Woodland Park Zoo Animal Curator Dr. Jennifer Pramuk in learning about the variety of ways you can provide water for urban wildlife in your own backyard. You'll learn about 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.

For more information or to register, see the zoo’s website: www.zoo.org/backyardhabitat