Backyard Habitat

King Conservation District 21st Annual Native Bareroot Plant Sale

2012-01-19T09:03:00.000-08:00

The King Conservation District offers a variety of native trees and shrubs for conservation purposes such as wildlife habitat, windbreaks, hedgerows, reforestation and stream enhancement. The plants are bareroot stock which means they do not come in pots or burlap bags, but are harvested from the field in winter when the plants are dormant and ready to be replanted. Bareroot plants are affordable, hardy, have well-developed roots, are easy to handle, transport and plant.

The King CD will hold its next native bareroot plant sale on March 2 & 3, 2012. We always recommend pre-ordering as this is the best way to ensure plant availability. For the first time ever, we are offering online ordering! Please see the King Conservation District website for more information or to order online. Pre-order deadline is January 27th.

Garden Variety Bees Calendar from The Great Sunflower Project!

2011-12-19T15:39:00.000-08:00

Garden Variety Native Bees of North America is both a guide to some of our more common native bees and a gardening calendar that never goes out of date. It is set up as a “perpetual calendar” so it includes the dates in each month, but not the days of the week. Use this calendar to keep month to month, and even year to year comparative garden notes. It's a great way to record your observations of the bloom times and other characteristics of the bee-friendly plants you include in your garden, along with reminders to observe bee visits in your garden and send in your data! Details and order information here: www.greatsunflower.org/forum/resources/perpetual-calendar-garden-variety

Volunteer Opportunities with National Wildlife Federation

2011-09-28T10:11:00.000-07:00

Habitat Steward:
Teach others in your community how to create habitat for wildlife by giving presentations, volunteering to create a Schoolyard Habitats™ site, writing articles for local media or restoring habitat in a public site. Habitat Stewards make a commitment to volunteer for at least 30 hours within the year following their training. Since you have taken the Backyard Habitat classes with Woodland Park Zoo, all you need to do is meet with NWF staff.

Habitat Steward Host:
If you like to train and inspire others, this is the volunteer job for you! You organize and host a Habitat Stewards training and then mentor your Stewards during their first year. You don’t need to be a habitat expert, but must be able to facilitate the training and pull together guest speakers and other resources. Training is done by a correspondence course run by NWF, and it lasts about three months.

Habitat Ambassador:
Help others learn how to garden for wildlife by hosting a table at a community event, giving a short presentation or distributing National Wildlife Federation literature. The training is done online with an NWF-provided CD.

Community Wildlife Habitat™ Team:
Once you have registered your own yard as a Certified Wildlife Habitat™, you can take your commitment to the next level by forming a Community Wildlife Habitat team and getting your community certified. Or you can become a member of one of the over 30 teams already working in Washington. More info on

Benefits of Volunteering:
• Contribute to community and national change
• 30% discount through NWF Catalog
• Invitation to exclusive events and openings
• "Insider" communication and news about national issues
• Special discounts and invitations from NWF corporate partners
• Volunteering 30 hours annually equals a free children’s magazine subscription

If interested, please contact Courtney Sullivan, Education Manager, Pacific Regional Center
SullivanC@nwf.org or (206) 577-7175

Seattle Audubon Fall Classes!

2011-09-09T11:12:00.000-07:00

Molt Demystified
With Daniel Froehlich, President of the Puget Sound Bird Observatory & master bander.

Feathers are an amazing adaptation unique to birds. Maintaining high-quality plumage requires a considerable investment. Molt (the replacement of feathers) along with breeding and migration represent the major life-history stages in the annual cycle of birds. Yet until recently, molt has been little studied and, as a result, is often poorly understood by birders. This class will explore how feathers grow, how birds replace feathers, why different species molt at different times, the significance of feather wear, and how understanding these qualities will help you become a better birder. The class includes a field trip to Discovery Park where we will examine plumages for evidence of molt.

Lecture: Thursday, September 15 and 22, 7:00 – 9:00 pm,
Location: CUH – Douglas Classroom
Field Trip: Saturday, September 24th, 7:30 a.m. - noon.
Cost: $50 members/$65 non-members
Limit: 20

Introduction to Birding
Hans de Grys, Chemistry Teacher, Lakeside School
Master Birder
Recipient, MIT’s Inspirational Teacher Award

Interested in learning more about the birds of Seattle and the Puget Sound? Do you have birds in your yard or local sightings that you are curious about? This course is an introduction to bird-watching, and will familiarize you with the common birds of the Seattle area, with special emphasis on identification by sight, sound, and behavior. No previous knowledge or experience necessary. A basic field guide for birds is recommended. Two evening sessions, two hours each, plus a local morning weekend field trip.

Lecture: Thursdays, Sept 22 and Oct 13th , 7pm to 9pm
Location: The Lakeside School
Field Trips: Saturday, October 15th, 8am to noon, location to be announced in class
Cost: $50 members, $65 nonmembers for lecture and field trip.
Limit: 20 for lecture and field trip

Nature Journaling with Carleen Zimmerman

Come and explore techniques for recording observations and discover the fascination of creating nature journals. The class will cover field sketching, creative writing, and journal projects. This will be an "in the garden" class at our home in our backyard wildlife sanctuary. The focus will be observing plants and birds in a backyard habitat. Bring your favorite journaling supplies (paper, journal books, pens, watercolor pencils etc). This is an accessible class. In case of inclement weather, we will be outside under our covered deck.

Carleen is a Seattle Audubon volunteer who has led nature journaling activities at Audubon Wenas campouts for the past five years. She has been a guest artist at Seattle Audubon's Nature Camp summer 2011. She gave a powerpoint presentation on nature journaling at Brier Library in March 2011 for Brier Wildlife Habitat Project. She has offered nature journaling classes through Seattle Audubon in 2007 and 2008. She has had her field sketches on display at Harborview Medical Center. She has taken many field sketching and nature writing workshops. She travels and "birds" with her husband, Neil, and has been nature journals for the past 10 years.

Class: Sunday, September 25, 9am-3pm
Location: Meet at Seattle Audubon, caravan to my house. Bring lunch, bring own supplies; instructor will provide an exercise book.
Cost: $10
Limit: 8

Four and Ninety Blackbirds
Gordon Orians, Professor Emeritus of Biology at the University of Washington
Member, National Academy of Sciences and American Academy of Arts and Sciences

The nearly 100 species of blackbirds (Icteridae), which are found only in the Americas, are remarkably variable in their ecology, social organization, and the environments they live in. Consequently, they have attracted the attention of many scientists who have used them to test theories of habitat selection, mate selection, choice of foods and foraging modes, and the evolution of social systems. The species will be described, with a review of traits that unite them despite their great diversity. Also discussed will be the rich array of investigations that have used blackbirds as subjects, including what has been learned to date and what is yet to be explored. The class will conclude with the blackbirds that live in Washington State, where to find them, and what is special about them. One evening session of two hours.

Lecture: October 24 -- 7 – 9 pm
Location: CUH – Douglas Classroom
Field Trips: None
Cost: $35 members, $50 nonmembers -- for lecture
Limit: 30

The Latest and Greatest Advances in Birding Technology
With Eric Harlow, former SAS board member, master birder student, and bird geek.

Having trouble keeping iBird, eBird, Birdseye, eGuides, iPhones, iPads, and Androids straight? Have you been birding with people who spend almost as much time looking at tiny screens as they do looking at the birds? Are you still trying to figure out how you can have multiple recordings of every bird species in the US at your fingertips? This one-evening class will explore and review the latest birding technology that can help improve your ability to find, identify, and list our feathered friends. The class will demonstrate and review the pros and cons of the latest birding apps for iPhone and Android smartphones, options for iPods and iPads, computer software for bird identification and listing, various sources of bird recordings. We will also discuss the ethics of playing songs in the field to lure birds.

Lecture: November 8, 7 -9 pm
Location: CUH – Douglas Classroom
Cost: $20 members, $35 non-members
Limit: 30

Attracting Birds to Your Yard
Join Neil Zimmerman, Seattle Audubon Outreach Chair and Master Birder

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.

Lecture: Wednesday, Nov 9 – 7-9 pm
Location: CUH – Douglas classroom
Fee: $20 members, $35 nonmembers
Limit: 24

To register for classes by credit card, call Seattle Audubon, 206-523-4483, Monday-Saturday, 10:00AM-4:00PM, or mail your check to Seattle Audubon, 8050 35th NE, Seattle WA 98115.

Fall Backyard Habitat Classes at Woodland Park Zoo!

2011-08-29T11:22:00.000-07:00

At this series of five classes, you'll learn from experts from Seattle Audubon, Washington Native Plant Society, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Bats Northwest 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, coexist peacefully with the wildlife you attract, and get your yard certified as a Backyard Habitat.

Wildlife Garden Design and Management
Thursday, September 22nd from 7 to 9 pm

Attracting Birds to your Backyard
Wednesday, October 5th from 7 to 9 pm
Fall Plants and Planting
Saturday, October 15th from 9 am to 11 am

Preparing your Backyard Habitat for Winter
Saturday, October 15th from 1 to 3 pm

Bats and Nocturnal Wildlife
Tuesday, October 25th from 7 to 9 pm

For more information or to register, see the Backyard Habitat page on Woodland Park Zoo's website.

Better dead than alive?

2011-08-26T13:15:00.000-07:00

From August edition of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's Crossing Paths newsletter

As strange as it seems, some trees can actually provide more habitat for wildlife when they're dead than when they're alive. Standing dead and dying trees, called "snags" or "wildlife trees," are important for wildlife in both natural and landscaped settings.
Birds, small mammals, and other wildlife use snags for nests, nurseries, storage areas, foraging, roosting, and perching. Live trees with snag-like features, such as hollow trunks, excavated cavities, and dead branches can provide similar wildlife value. Snags occurring along streams eventually fall into the water, adding important woody debris habitat for fish and other aquatic life.

Snags can attract wildlife species to your property that you might not otherwise see.
More than 100 species of our birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians need snags for nesting, roosting, and denning. Hollow snags and large knot-holes are used by Douglas squirrels, northern flying squirrels, martens, porcupines, raccoons, and even black bears. Several species of owls and woodpeckers also use large cavities. Bluebirds, chickadees, swallows, wrens and other songbirds use smaller cavities. Brown creepers, nuthatches, bats, lizards, and mourning cloak butterflies will roost behind loose bark and bark slits for winter warmth and shelter.

Some 45 of our wildlife species forage for food in snags, which are often loaded with insects. Woodpeckers, sapsuckers, flickers, nuthatches, and a myriad of other insectivorous species regularly make snags their dining rooms. Mice, squirrels, jays, crows and other wildlife use snags more like kitchens, for food storage areas.

Some snags make ideal hunting perches for hawks, eagles, and owls. The more open resting perches that snags provide are preferred by swallows, band-tailed pigeons, mourning doves and other colonial birds. And of course the resonating surfaces of some snags are perfect for woodpeckers to announce their presence with their hammering bills during courtship season.

Snags of both deciduous and coniferous trees are used by wildlife. The most favored snag species east of the Cascades are ponderosa pine, western larch, quaking aspen, and paper birch; west of the Cascades, Douglas fir, western red cedar, big-leaf maple and cottonwood snags are highly used. Softwood trees such as fir tend to make better food foraging trees, while hardwood trees are sometimes better for nesting cavities.

Unfortunately, many of these dead or dying trees are cut down without much thought to their wildlife value and the management options that can safely prolong their existence. Of course if not managed properly, snags can pose a risk to people and structures. If a dead or dying tree threatens something that can be moved, such as a swing set or patio furniture, consider moving those items before cutting the tree down. An alternative to eliminating the entire tree is to remove only the dangerous sections.

Consulting with a certified arborist experienced in wildlife snags is recommended. These professionals can determine what part of a tree is a hazard and provide management options to reduce or eliminate any risk. Remaining parts can be removed over time. Often, once the unsafe limbs or portions of the trunk have been removed, the tree is safe.

Retain live trees and tall shrubs near a snag to protect it from wind and provide a more complete environment for wildlife. In urban areas, tall snags are best located away from high activity areas, where they won't pose a hazard if they fall. Trees that lean away or are downhill from structures and other areas of human activity present little or no risk.
When a tree must be cut down, maximize its habitat value by placing as much of the debris as possible near the area where the tree was removed. In hot, dry areas, move the material into the shade of nearby trees or large shrubs.

You can create a snag from trees that are hazardous or problematic, like ones with forked tops or disease or invasive roots threatening a drainage or septic system, or individual trees in a group that needs thinning. Like landscaping rocks and boulders, snags can add interesting, artistic angles to your property.

More information about snags, including details about how to safely create a snag, or enhance existing dead or dying trees, is available at http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/snags.

August 20th: The Return of the Great Bee Count!

2011-08-15T09:56:00.000-07:00

News from The Great Sunflower Project:
I would bet that all across the country, sunflowers have now finally bloomed. I know ours have here along the foggy Northern California coast, and even those in the Pacific Northwest have opened. We are hoping that both you and the bees in your area take advantage of these beautiful blooms and join us for the Return of the Great Bee Count on August 20th. Of course, you can make your observations anytime, as often as you can, but if you haven’t yet participated this summer, mark your calendars for August 20th now.

If you haven’t been to our web site recently, come by and check out our “Leader Board” on the homepage (www.greatsunflower.org) to see our top data collectors. We’ll update this each week, so you have a chance to get your name on the board. Thanks to all our top collectors, by the way.

Keep up the great work!

July 16th: Join The Great Sunflower Project for the Great Bee Count and Bee-a-Thon

2011-07-11T10:03:00.000-07:00

Message from The Great Sunflower Project:
Greetings citizen scientists!

Summer is now in full swing and gardens are buzzing with activity. Your sunflowers have survived birds and slugs, unseasonal rain and dry spells. Some of you have sunflowers in bloom and are diligently sending in your observations. Congratulations to all those who have already had the opportunity to observe, collect and report their data. Well done! Check out our “Leader Board” on the homepage of the Great Sunflower Project website. (www.greatsunflower.org) to see our top data collectors. We’ll update this each week, so keep up the great work.

While we don’t expect everyone to be a data leader, we’re asking all of you to attempt at least one observation this year. Why not join thousands of others across the country in The Great Bee Count and observe on Saturday, July 16th? Not only will you know that you are joining with others to help a greater cause, you can take a few moments from your day to learn about natures benefits.

Even if you do not have blooms on your plants by July 16th, you can still be enjoy, learn and be part of the project by tuning in to the first ever “Bee-A-Thon” - a 12-hour, worldwide online webcast designed to bring you current information about bee conservation. Throughout the day, experts will talk about bee biology and changes in global bee populations and ways to take action. A live, online broadcast dedicated to bees and other pollinators has never been done before, and we know it will be fascinating and informative. Just go to www.yourgardenshow.com and join the fun. You can find more details and RSVP online for the Bee-a-Thon.

Remember: Bees are declining in certain areas, and the more we know about pollinator service in your area, the more action will be able to be taken to preserve and enhance pollinator habitat. Be a part of the solution: Observe and report data for Great Bee Count on July 16th and tune in to YourGardenShow.com from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm PST for the Bee-a-Thon.

We would like as many as possible to observe and report, so if you know of a garden in your area that is accessible to the public where those without flowers can count bees on July 16, please let us know at sfbee@sfsu.edu. We’ve set up a page to keep track of them.

July 27th: Duwamish River Cruise with Woodland Park Zoo and Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition!

2011-07-01T11:08:00.000-07:00

Date and time: Wednesday, July 27th from 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Cost: $25 per person for people 13 and up, $10 for kids 3-12 years, kids 2 and under are free!

Join Woodland Park Zoo and the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition for a boat tour of the Duwamish River. Make community connections beyond your backyard to the greater Duwamish ecosystem. You'll learn about the cultural and natural history of the river, pollution hotspots and habitat restoration opportunities with the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition. We'll also search for wildlife such as eagles, ospreys, seals and otters.

For more information or to register, see the Education section of Woodland Park Zoo's website.

July 9th: Second annual Wildlife Habitat Tour in the city of Shoreline!

2011-06-06T09:16:00.000-07:00

Where Our Wild Things Are (WOWTA) is a wildlife backyard tour organized by volunteer habitat stewards in the City of Shoreline. They will show you a variety of wildlife habitats and how easy it is to create a wildlife habitat of your own in your backyard, school, and place of worship, business or public building.

Please join WOWTA on Saturday, July 9, 2011 from 10 am to 3 pm.
Free admission: Mini learning experiences at each location!

Starting location to pick up maps on day of tour: Calvin Presbyterian to Briarcrest Elementary, 2715 Northeast 158th Street, Shoreline, WA, 98155

All Participating Habitats are National Wildlife Federation Certified Backyard Wildlife Habitats. Watching wildlife is fun, and creating a wildlife habitat sanctuary is a healthy way to give back to the Earth. It’s easy!

Saturday, June 4th: Grand Opening of Woodland Park Zoo's Backyard Habitat garden!

2011-05-23T09:14:00.000-07:00

10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
FREE with zoo admission

Come celebrate the opening of the new Backyard Habitat garden, located in the zoo's Family Farm! You and your family will have the chance to dig in the dirt and plant seeds, observe and identify birds, participate in citizen science, and learn how to create habitat for wildlife in your own backyard, schoolyard or community garden!

The Backyard Habitat garden, generously funded by the Boeing Company and the Pendleton and Elisabeth Carey Miller Charitable Foundation, shows visitors how to bring wildlife closer to home, from providing food, water, shelter and places to raise young to reducing the use of chemicals in your yard. The garden also serves as a programming space to learn how to attract birds and other wildlife to your backyard, select and care for native plants, place feeders and bird houses, and get your garden certified as a Backyard Habitat.

Saturday, May 14th: Tukwila Backyard Wildlife Festival!

2011-05-11T17:13:00.000-07:00

The 11th Annual Backyard Wildlife Festival is this Saturday! You’re invited to find out how to enhance your outdoor space to create a wildlife and environmentally-friendly backyard habitat at this FREE family-friendly event! You can also hear our keynote speaker Ciscoe Morris talk about how to attract hummingbird to your yards and gardens!

Backyard Wildlife Festival
Saturday, May 14 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Visit the festival website at www.backyardwildlifefair.org

Popular highlights of the festival include the Guided Bird Tour along the Duwamish River and the Certified Backyard Habitat Garden Tour. Kids will enjoy the new Kids Garden Party featuring events and activities especially for kids. There will also be an arts and crafts marketplace, native plant sales, educational booths, scheduled speakers, a pancake breakfast, recycled art show and more!

The festival is held at the Tukwila Community Center at 12424 42nd Ave S, Tukwila 98188. We hope to see you there! For more information, please call 206.768.2822.

Wildlife University in Edmonds starts this week!

2011-05-09T07:39:00.000-07:00

Wildlife University is a series of courses that teaches you how to attract a wide variety of wildlife to your backyard, to a schoolyard, or to an area in your community. There are seven courses to be covered in four week nights. Each course contains online presentations, down loadable study guides, and recommended activities. The course outline is the following:

Habitat Basics is the best place to start! This course teaches you about basic concepts that are used throughout the other courses. You will learn about many different topics, such as the importance of native plants. (TUESDAY, May 10th, 7:00-8:30PM, Edmonds Public Library)
Providing Food for Wildlife discusses the food chain and how you can provide food for wildlife species in your area.(TUESDAY, May 24th, 7:00-8:30PM, Edmonds Public Library)
Providing Water for Wildlife teaches you the importance of water for your habitat and identifies easy ways to provide it appropriately.(TUESDAY, May 17th, 7:00-8:30PM, Edmonds Public Library)
Providing Cover for Wildlife gives you practical ways to provide cover and shelter for a variety of different wildlife species throughout the seasons.(TUESDAY, May 24th, 7:00-8:30PM, Edmonds Public Library)
Providing Places to Raise Young introduces you to the importance of spaces for wildlife to mate and bear young and offers some suggestions for creating these spaces in your habitat.(TUESDAY, May 17th, 7:00-8:30PM, Edmonds Public Library)
Sustainable Gardening Practices is all about things you can do that are good for your garden and for wildlife. Topics include organic gardening, composting, and water conservation.(TUESDAY, May 10th, 7:00-8:30PM, Edmonds Public Library)
Overview of the Backyard Wildlife Habitat^TM and Schoolyard Habitats® programs provides you with information about each of these national programs and the resources they can offer as you learn more. You will want to know all about these programs, because creating places for wildlife can become a hobby that you enjoy with your friends and family.(TUESDAY, May 24th, 7:00-8:30PM, Edmonds Public Library)

In Addition we will cover topics such as: Western WA Butterfly gardening 101, Bats in our Gardens 101, Bees in our Gardens 101, Carpentry for Critters,Top 25 Birds in our Backyards ID.

This course is free but space is limited. Please register through the Sno-Isle/Edmonds Public library at:

http://host5.evanced.info/sno_isle/evanced/eventcalendar.asp

or by phone at: (425-771-1933)

The courses will all be held each Tuesday night at the Edmonds Public Library located at 650 Main St, Edmonds, WA

Note: National Wildlife Federation is the sponsor & creator of these courses. One you sign-up for a course you will be credited by NWF. For more information go to their website at:

http://www.nwf.org/wildlifeuniversity/creatingplaces.cfm

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

April 28th: Seattle Audubon's 5th Annual Beers for Birds Trivia and Raffle!

2011-04-11T12:35:00.000-07:00

Please join Seattle Audubon for an evening of bird trivia, raffle prizes, and fun! Test your bird knowledge, win great prizes, and support Seattle Audubon’s adult education programs.

Thursday, April 28th, 7–9pm
at the Wedgwood Ale House (8515 35th Avenue NE)

Trivia Contest—$3 per person
Raffle Tickets—$5 each

Must be 21 years old to participate. Space is limited to the first 100 people.
For more information or to purchase a raffle ticket see www.seattleaudubon.org or contact Lisa at:(206) 523-8243 ext.14

2011 Spring Savvy Gardener Classes

2011-03-31T12:10:00.000-07:00

Pre-registration is not required for these free classes, to be held at local nurseries. Please arrive early to make sure you get a space at these popular classes!

Easy Plants for Gorgeous, Carefree Gardens Taught by Peggy Campbell (two dates & locations)

Saturday, April 9 - 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Swansons
9701 15th Ave. NW, Seattle
(206) 782-2543

Saturday, April 23 - 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Molbak's
13625 NE 175th St., Woodinville
(425) 483-5000

Ready for a more leisurely summer? Tired of endless weeding and watering? Learn tips, proven techniques and plant suggestions from horticulturalist Peggy Campbell for year-round beauty and easy success. Gather lists of plants able to thrive in our dry summers, and tolerate our wet winters.

Edible Abundance - Essential Tips for the Northwest Organic Food Gardener
Taught by Marianne Binetti (two dates & locations)

Saturday, April 16 - 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Furney's Nursery
21215 International Boulevard, Des Moines
(206) 624-0634

Saturday, April 23 - 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Sky Nursery
18528 Aurora Ave. N., Shoreline
(206) 546-4851

Join local garden author and radio personality Marianne Binetti as she covers the basics of successful organic food gardening in the Pacific Northwest For novice and experienced food gardener alike, whether you garden in the back 40, your front parking strip, or in containers, Marianne will help you reap the most bounty from your soil, sustainably!

Drip Irrigation Basics for Home Gardeners
Taught by Amy Ockerlander, Seattle Tilth (two dates)

Saturday, April 9 - 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 28 - 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

This class is intended for the do-it-yourself home gardener. We will cover what you need to know to decide if drip irrigation is for you. We will also address how to plan and install a basic system, including design, materials selection, where to purchase; and how to install, operate and maintain your system. Applications for both ornamental and food gardens will be addressed.

Pre-registration required for this free class. To register and get directions contact the Garden Hotline at (206) 633-0224 or at help@gardenhotline.org.

Butterflies and Bees class at Woodland Park Zoo!

2011-03-30T09:47:00.000-07:00

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.

Want more information on how you can help bees?
* Join the hunt for bees with the Great Sunflower Project!

* Learn more about creating a Pollinator Pathway in your community!

The Importance of Snags in Your Neighborhood

2011-03-29T12:38:00.000-07:00

Hard to believe, but trees can actually provide more habitats for wildlife dead than when they are alive. Standing dead and dying trees, called “snags” or “wildlife trees,” are important for wildlife in both natural and landscaped settings, occurring as a result of disease, lightning, fire, animal damage, too much shade, drought, root competition, as well as old age.

Birds, small mammals, and other wildlife use snags for nests, nurseries, storage areas, foraging, roosting, and perching. Live trees with snag-like features, such as hollow trunks, excavated cavities, and dead branches can provide similar wildlife value. Snags occurring along streams and shorelines eventually may fall into the water, adding important woody debris to aquatic habitat. Dead branches are often used as perches; snags that lack limbs are often more decayed and, may have more and larger cavities for shelter and nesting. Snags enhance local natural areas by attracting wildlife species that may not otherwise be found there.

All trees of all sizes are potential snags. Unfortunately, many wildlife trees are cut down without much thought to their wildlife value or of the potential management options that can safely prolong the existence of the tree. Wildlife trees offer a one-stop, natural habitat feature. In short, snags “live on” as excellent wildlife trees for all to enjoy!

For more information about wildlife that use snags as well as how to create a snag in your backyard habitat, please see Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's website: http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/snags/

Spring Backyard Habitat classes at Woodland Park Zoo!

2011-02-07T12:27:00.000-08:00

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.

Douglas Tallamy: Gardeners as Land Stewards

2011-01-26T15:13:00.000-08:00

Wednesday, February 23, 2011 | 7:30 – 9pm
Location: Downstairs at Town Hall; enter on Seneca Street.

Planting native trees, plants, and shrubs in this crowded world carries both a moral and an ecological responsibility we cannot ignore. With 33,000 species imperiled in the U.S., gardeners and landscapers have never been so empowered to help save biodiversity—and the need has never been so great. Celebrity naturalist David Mizejewski introduces Entomology and Wildlife Ecology Professor Douglas Tallamy, author of Bringing Nature Home, who discusses how native plants sustain wildlife in our gardens. Presented by the National Wildlife Federation.

Tickets are $5 at www.brownpapertickets.com or 800/838-3006, and at the door beginning at 6:30 pm.

Two new Backyard Habitat-related resources!

2011-01-24T14:51:00.000-08:00

ATTRACTING NATIVE POLLINATORS
The Xerces Society will turn 40 this year! We'll be celebrating our official birthday later in the year, but we can't think of a much better way to start such a significant year than with the release of an important new book, Attracting Native Pollinators: Protecting North America's Bees and Butterflies.

The work of bees and other pollinators is something that touches us all through the food we eat, the clothes we wear, and the landscapes we enjoy. Attracting Native Pollinators offers a window onto the fascinating lives of these insects and provides detailed information about how you can care for these vital animals wherever you live. Whether you are an urban gardener, a suburban park manager, a working farmer, or caring for a nature reserve Attracting Native Pollinators has something for you.

The book has already garnered high praise:

"Attracting Native Pollinators belongs on the bookshelf of everyone who values the future of the natural world."
- Douglas W. Tallamy, researcher and author
of Bringing Nature Home

"Precise, elegant and thoughtful, the recommendations offered by the Xerces Society will become essential to advancing a healthy and diverse food production system."
- Gary Nabhan, author of The Forgotten
Pollinators and Renewing America's Food
Traditions

More than 380 pages long, Attracting Native Pollinators is illustrated throughout with hundreds of color photographs and dozens of custom-drawn illustrations. It is published by Storey Publishing of North Adams, Mass. and coauthored by four Xerces staff (Eric Mader, Matthew Shepherd, Mace Vaughan, and Scott Hoffman Black) with Gretchen LeBuhn, a botanist at San Francisco State University and director of The Great Sunflower Project.

Pre-order your book from our website by January 31st to get a discount - www.xerces.org.

THE CONSCIENTIOUS GARDENER: CULTIVATING A GARDEN ETHIC by Sarah Reichard

Join UW Botanic Gardens and the Northwest Horticultural Society for a celebration of Sarah Reichard’s new book, The Conscientious Gardener: Cultivating a Garden Ethic. Sarah will share the latest best practices for gardening with an environmental ethic, including pest control, water conservation, mulching, and invasive species.

Thursday, February 17, 2011
6:45 pm Reception and Book-Signing; 7:30 pm Lecture
NHS Hall, Center for Urban Horticulture, Seattle
Tickets are $15
For more information, visit http://www.northwesthort.org/special.html

Sarah Reichard is the founder and director of the Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservation and faculty at the University of Washington.

*Proceeds and book sales from the event will benefit Rare Care.

"10,000 by 2010" goal met in 25th year of WDFW Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary program!

2011-01-18T16:43:00.000-08:00

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary program celebrated its 25th anniversary year by more than making a "10,000 by 2010" campaign goal. By the end of 2010, an official total of 11,454 properties across the state were enrolled as Backyard Wildlife Sanctuaries. With the program's emphasis on urban and suburban properties where habitat development and restoration is most needed, 89 percent of those properties (10,238) are in western Washington, where more of the state's cities and towns lie in the Puget Sound area from Bellingham to Vancouver. The other 11 percent (1,216) are in eastern Washington, mostly in the state's second largest metropolitan area -- Spokane - with some in the Tri-Cities, Yakima and Wenatchee areas.

The "10,000 by 2010" campaign began in the summer of 2009, when the statewide total of properties enrolled was 8,507. The 10,000 mark was reached in April 2010 with enrollment of a property in Olympia. The Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary program began in 1985 in WDFW's North Puget Sound Region, based in Mill Creek, north of Seattle. It quickly expanded to the Spokane-based Eastern Region for statewide promotion of the program's basic idea - wildlife stewardship begins at home, even and especially in urban settings. With over 35,000 acres of wildlife habitat converted to housing and other development each year in Washington, the program is designed to help offset that loss by encouraging backyard landscaping to provide food and cover for wildlife.

Over the years the program has increased emphasis on development and maintenance of year-round habitat, preferably using low-maintenance, low-water-use native plants. Information on supplemental feeding of birds has increasingly focused on keeping feeders clean to avoid spreading disease among birds and locating feeders to minimize problems with predation by domestic cats and wild predators and birds flying into nearby windows. The program not only enhances the urban environment for the benefit of wildlife, but it also helps increase opportunities for people to enjoy and learn about wildlife by providing information about best practices for attracting watchable wildlife to your home. The latest (2006) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service survey of wildlife associated recreation showed that 2.3 million Washington residents, or about 40 percent of the state's population, actively watch wildlife. Most of those - 1.9 million or 83 percent - watch wildlife "around home" (defined as within a mile of home.) About 1.5 million feed wildlife and about 360,000 maintain natural areas or plantings for wildlife.

If you're currently one of the many thousands of Washington Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary managers, thank you for all you do to help wildlife on your property. We encourage you to talk to your neighbors about similarly helping wildlife on their property because the bigger the contiguous blocks of habitat, the better for wildlife and wildlife watching. If you're not in the Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary program, you can certify your yard with Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, National Wildlife Federation and Northwest Zoo & Aquarium Alliance by downloading the
Habitat Certification Application

Free Schoolyard Habitats Webinar!

2011-01-13T12:34:00.000-08:00

Are you ready to create a Schoolyard Habitat, but not sure how to start? National Wildlife Federation is offering the free webinar Designing Your Schoolyard Habitat Project on February 3rd at 1:00 p.m. PST.

The webinar will cover the special design and project planning considerations for installing a habitat on school grounds and utilizing a habitat for teaching. For more information and to sign up for the webinar, go to www.nwf.org/schoolyardevents.

October 16th: National Wildlife Federation's Hike and Seek at Seward Park!

2010-10-06T10:03:00.000-07:00

Experience a fantastic Fall adventure with your friends and family! National Wildlife Federation’s Hike & Seek is a brand new, exciting one-day event. A cross between a nature hike and a scavenger hunt, Hike & Seek brings families and friends together for fresh air and fun. It doesn’t matter if you’ve hiked for years or have no experience at all – adventurers of all ages are welcome.

The Seattle event will be held on Saturday, October 16 at 9 am at Seward Park, a 300-acre nature preserve and education center. Seward Park features acres of beautiful old growth forest that is home to eagles' nests, a 2.4 mile bike and walking path, a native plant garden, miles of hiking trails, and more.

Step off from base camp after loads of activities for all ages and hiking tips for participants. Using your map and mission guidebook, we invite you to create your own interactive nature experience. Along the way, kids will learn about trees, water, plants, animals and birds at the fact-filled, interesting, interactive lessons on the great outdoors at Stop & Learn stations staffed by naturalists.

Hike & Seek is just days away! Please help us spread the word by registering at www.hikeandseek.org or sending this information to your friends and families to join the fun in Seattle!

Fall "To Do" list from Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife

2010-09-27T10:05:00.000-07:00

Your family may be making those fall outdoor chore lists as daylight hours shrink, temperatures drop, and the urge grows to "batten down the hatches" in the yard and garden. Here's another "to do" list from your local wildlife family that you may find easier to check off:

• Leave some "dead heads" on your flowering plants to provide seeds for birds and other animals
• If you must rake leaves off grass lawns, just pile them under some shrubs, bushes or other nooks and crannies to provide homes for those insects that birds love to eat; leaves make great mulch to help your plants, too!
• Keep that dead or dying tree right where it is (unless, of course, it's truly a hazard to you), so birds can feast on the insects in the rotting wood or make winter roosts or dens in its cavities
• Give yourself and your mower a rest for at least a portion of your lawn so birds and other animals have a patch of taller grass to hide and forage in
• Save just a little of that dead bramble thicket for birds - it makes great winter cover and they don't need much! Fall is a good time to plant shrubs, so replace invasive, non-native Himalayan blackberry and English ivy with native plants of higher wildlife value like blackcap (native black raspberry) or red raspberry; native currants or gooseberries found in your area; or native roses such as Nootka or baldhip.
• Pile up any brush or rocks you clear around your place to give birds another option for nests and dens
• Take it easy on yourself and let go of the "perfect" garden image; wild animals like less tidy, "fuzzy" places because there's usually more food and shelter there
• Get yourself a comfortable chair, sit back, and congratulate yourself on having made a home for wildlife and a haven of relaxation for yourself!

For more information on Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary program, see: http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/backyard/

Save the Date: Duwamish Alive on October 9th!

2010-09-09T09:14:00.000-07:00

Duwamish Alive! Restore Our River
October 9th, 2010, 10am-2pm
Join the on-going restoration of the Duwamish River Watershed.

Twice a year the Duwamish Alive Coalition, a partnership of non-profit organizations, government agencies, community groups and local businesses, host a collaborative habitat restoration event within the Duwamish River Watershed. Restoration is on-going throughout the year, but it’s only during Duwamish Alive that our organizations come together to host hundreds of volunteers at multiple sites to make a huge impact. Work sites include a river cleanup by kayak and canoe, shoreline salmon habitat restoration, and native forest revitalization, and no experience is necessary!

The restoration of the Duwamish depends on community, non-profit, government and corporate partners working together to restore the urbanized environment. The Duwamish River Estuary has less than 3% of its original habitat remaining. Our goal is to help revive the watershed such that it can support healthy people, wildlife and thriving businesses, but in order to do so, we need YOU to join us, too. We are looking for school, work, or other organizational groups as well as individuals to volunteer for Duwamish Alive.

See People for Puget Sound's website for more information. See you on October 9th!

FREE Fall Savvy Gardener classes!

2010-09-07T10:02:00.000-07:00

Plant Now for Summer Wow!
Presented by Peggy Campbell
Discover why fall planting really is the best time to launch a healthy, beautiful garden in concert with nature! Horticulturist Peggy Campbell will share favorite plants for adding color and texture that thrive in NW gardens. Hear Peggy’s easy-care tips on how to create a gorgeous garden in YOUR yard!

Molbak's - September 18
10:00 – 11:30 AM
13625 NE 175th Woodinville

Sky Nursery - September 25
10:00 – 11:30 AM
18528 Aurora Ave N., Shoreline

Fall Planting: Edibles, Lawns and Other Healthy Treats!
Presented by Marianne Binetti
In this lively presentation, Marianne will explain why fall is such an important time of year for the garden, will teach practices you can immediately apply at home, and share how these practices will result in healthy and successful gardens. Her main emphasis will be on food gardening: what can be grown and harvested during the fall and winter, as well as what can be overwintered for harvested in early spring. She will also talk about how to treat the food garden that will not be planted over the winter, about fall lawn renovation, and some favorite plants for fall color.

Furney's Nursery - September 25
10:00 – 11:30 AM
21215 Pacific Hwy S., Des Moines

Swansons - October 2
10:00 – 11:30 AM
9701 15th Ave NW, Seattle

All classes are free; no pre-registration is required but please arrive early as classes do fill. Classes are on Saturday mornings from 10 to 11:30 AM.

Any questions should be directed to Nota Lucas (nota.lucas@seattle.gov or 206.684.5855). Please do not reply to this email.

Happy Gardening!

Living Downstream: Polluted Runoff Neighborhood Tours from People for Puget Sound

2010-09-02T08:41:00.000-07:00

Stormwater, or polluted runoff, is the number one threat to the health of Puget Sound. It flows off our roofs, down our streets, and across our parking lots. Join us for these fascinating tours and learn from the experts what you can do to help address this problem.

Two tours in two different neighborhoods:

High Point Neighborhood
When: September 18, 2010 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: High Point Branch Library, 3411 S.W. Raymond St., Seattle
For more information: http://pugetsound.org/connect/events/091810tour/

The September 18th tour begins in the parking lot of the High Point Community Library. Participants will tour the High Point neighborhood and see examples of Low-Impact Development. Participants will learn how polluted runoff affects Longfellow Creek and learn how to take action to clean up our run-off.

Carkeek Park Neighborhood
When: September 26, 2010 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: Beach at Carkeek Park Environmental Center, 950 NW Carkeek Park Road, Seattle
For more information: http://pugetsound.org/connect/events/092610tour/

From Carkeek Park Environmental Center, we'll follow the flow of water up the urban watershed by car and foot. The tour begins at the beach at Carkeek Park Environmental Center in northwest Seattle. (Instead of turning into the Carkeek Park Environmental learning center, continue on Carkeek Park road to the beach.)

The tour then moves to SEA Street to see how attractive rain gardens can effectively combat runoff pollution. We will then travel back to Carkeek Park to learn how polluted runoff and the recently created SEA Street affects Piper's Creek. Finally, you'll learn how to apply what you've seen and heard to take personal action to clean up our runoff.

Fall Backyard Habitat Class Series at Woodland Park Zoo!

2010-08-25T11:40:00.000-07:00

Want to learn how to create habitat for wildlife in your backyard, schoolyard or community garden?

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.

Cost: $25 per person / $100 for the five-part series if you register before 6:00 pm on Tuesday, September 21st.

Introduction to Backyard Habitat: Site Analysis and Design
Tuesday, September 28th from 7:00 to 9:00 pm

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.

Natural Yard Care in the Fall
Saturday, October 9th from 10 am to 12:00 pm

Join E.J. Hook, Woodland Park Zoo horticulture staff, to learn seasonally appropriate sustainable gardening practices, including composting, mulching and proper fall planting.

Fall Plants and Planting
Saturday, October 9th from 1:00 pm to 3 pm

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.

Attracting Birds to Your Yard
Wednesday, October 27th from 7:00 to 9:00 pm

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.

"Problem" Plants and Animals
Tuesday, November 16th from 7:00 to 9:00 pm

Join Sasha Shaw, King County Noxious Weed education specialist, and Chris Anderson, Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife biologist, to learn how to identify and eradicate problem weeds and coexist peacefully and legally with all wildlife that are attracted to your backyard habitat.

For more information or to register, please see the Backyard Habitat page on the zoo's website.

July 29th: Duwamish River Boat Tour

2010-07-26T13:59:00.000-07:00

Thursday, July 29th from 7:00 to 9:30 pm
$25 per person for people 13 and up, $10 for kids 3-12 years, kids 2 and under are free!

Join Woodland Park Zoo and the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition for a boat tour of the Duwamish River. Make community connections beyond your backyard to the greater Duwamish ecosystem. You'll learn about the cultural and natural history of the river, pollution hotspots and habitat restoration opportunities with the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition. We'll also search for wildlife such as eagles, ospreys, seals and otters.

The boat leaves from the Harbor Island Marina, under the West Seattle bridge. You will receive directions with your confirmation.

To register, download a registration form from the zoo's website: http://www.zoo.org/Page.aspx?pid=545

May 15: Create An Urban Oasis: Naturescaping A Wildlife-Friendly Garden

2010-05-04T09:20:00.000-07:00

Date: May 15, 2010
Time: 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Location: Carkeek Park Environmental Learning Center

Want to create an urban oasis for your family and our local wildlife? Join Kimberly Leeper of Mariposa Naturescapes and Heather Swift of Cohabitats to learn how to naturescape - design and install a wildlife-friendly, native and edible plant garden. Once installed, naturescapes require less maintenance than many yards and conventional gardens. They also keep invasive species out of our city, and of course, help native wildlife thrive in a healthy habitat. Learn about the principles of naturescaping and come away with ideas about how to transform your own yard. If you have already started planning, bring your any maps, sketches, pictures, and/or existing plant list of your yard. Otherwise, come to learn what the opportunities could be for your yard. Our instructors will present information, answer questions, and facilitate small group time to help you generate ideas for your own naturescape. Bring snacks for breaks.

Carkeek Park Environmental Learning Center
950 NW Carkeek Park Road -- go West at NW 110th Street off 3rd Ave NW

$25 per person. Please pre-register by 5/14 at 206-684-0877. Space is limited.

May 5: Seattle Audubon Master Birder Open House!

2010-04-28T10:43:00.000-07:00

Wanna be a Master Birder?

Learn about the natural history of the birds of Washington State, as well as how to identify them by sight and song, in Seattle Audubon’s Master Birder program. Applications for the 2011 program will be accepted in winter of 2010.

Join us Wednesday, May 5th at 7 pm at the Center for Urban Horticulture for an informational Open House for the 2011 Master Birder program.

Meet the primary course instructor, Dr. Dennis Paulson
Hear an overview on what the program will cover.
Learn how to best prepare for the program, including birding skill level and knowledge.
Understand the level of commitment required of program participants, including class attendance, homework assignments, and field trips.
Learn about a special selection of field trips this summer to help you prepare for the program!

For more information, visit www.seattleaudubon.org

April 13th: Butterflies and Bees class at Woodland Park Zoo

2010-04-07T14:07:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, April 13, 2010 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Cost: $20 per person

Join Woodland Park Zoo entomologist Erin Sullivan and horticulturalist 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.

To register, download the registration form from the zoo's website.

April 17: A Day in the Garden: Seattle Tilth in Issaquah!

2010-04-07T11:22:00.000-07:00

A Day in the Garden
Satruday, April 17
10 am - 3 pm
Pickering Barn
1730 10th Ave. N.W.
Issaquah, WA. 98027

Spend some time in the garden with Seattle Tilth’s garden educators. Enjoy a guided tour of the garden, get your hands dirty at the volunteer work party, ask your gardening questions to the experts from the Garden Hotline, take a class and participate in the community potluck. Stop by at any point during the day and see what’s going on!

Schedule of Activities

9:30 - 11 am: Garden Class: Container Veggie Gardening*
10 am: Work Party - the theme is “soil building”
11 am: Garden Tour
12 - 1:30 pm: Garden Class: Getting the Most from Small Spaces*
1 pm: Garden Tour
1 pm - 3 pm: Potluck – Bring tasty food to share!
* Indicates classes

For classes, advanced registration is required. For more information and to register, visit www.seattletilth.org.

New FREE programs at Magnuson Park!

2010-04-02T10:37:00.000-07:00

Magnuson Park is becoming more and more of a resource to our community, and to sustainability goals for this region. It's a 350-acre gem that many of its closest neighbors haven't explored, and it's well worth the visit, especially now. This spring marks the debut of a variety of FREE gardening and nature programs for adults and families, and an expansion of existing programs for children. All are sponsored by Magnuson Park Community Center, whose Advisory Council has made a strong commitment to environmental education for the past 5 years.

To kick off these new programs, the Community Center is hosting a giant FREE event called 'Celebrate Urban Nature' on April 10th, which includes a concert by Caspar Babypants (aka Chris Ballew), hands-on, interactive nature booths, LIVE Woodland Park Zoo Raptors, a NOAA exibit, recycled art extravaganza, and much much more. Fun for adults and children! The day begins with a guided Family Wetland Walk at 9:00am and the Community Center celebration is from 10:30am-2pm.

Also beginning in April:

Free monthly guided Wetland Walks, to learn how Magnuson's new wetland project provides stormwater runoff management and habitat for birds, amphibians, and mammals.
Free spring and fall hands-on classes for adults and families on creating your own bird-friendly garden, and child-friendly gardening features and activities.
A new field trip program for preschool and primary grades.

Visit http://www.seattle.gov/parks/centers/magnuson/nature.htm for all the details, call the Community Center at 684-7026, or pick up a Spring NE Parks brochure.

May 8th: Tukwila Backyard Wildlife Festival

2010-04-02T10:31:00.000-07:00

What do you get when you mix wildlife habitat advocacy with a fun, FREE, all-day event featuring varieties of entertainment and educational sessions? You get the Backyard Wildlife Festival, celebrating its 10th anniversary, followed by very popular Certified Backyard Habitat Garden Tour at 3:00pm. And in honor of the 10th year, the City will be dedicating its newest park and certified Backyard Wildlife Habitat – Codiga Park!

Brimming with activities, the Backyard Wildlife Festival inspires people to welcome wildlife into their backyards, gardens, and communities. The arts and crafts marketplace, educational talks, kids area, and the garden tour will return to delight attendees. In addition, the Guided Bird Tour with Rainier Audubon Society’s Carol Shulz is back by popular demand.

For more information, see the Tukwila Backyard Wildlife Festival website.

Saturday, March 13: Gardening with Youth P-Patch Summit

2010-03-09T15:40:00.000-08:00

Interested in sharing the magic of gardening with youth? Bring your questions, concerns, and knowledge to the Bradner Gardens Park indoor classroom, this Saturday March 13th 9am-12pm!

Discuss and learn about topics such as:

Working with Lettuce Link Giving Gardens
Garden songs and games
Planting and transplanting with youth
Attracting volunteers to your program
Using your entire p-patch garden as an educational resource

A FREE 2010 Youth Resource Binder will be given out to summit participants upon arrival. Resource Binder includes:

Advice about gardening with youth in the p-patches
Planting calendar
List of plants to grow with youth
Local resources
Grant opportunities.

Other hands on youth resources will also be available to look through during the event.

We will be meeting in the indoors Brander Classroom with excursions into the garden. If you are coming to the event please RSVP to Jackie at 733-9982 or Jaclyn.Dagger@Seattle.gov so that she knows how many breakfast refreshments to bring.

Spring Savvy Gardener Classes!

2010-03-09T15:23:00.000-08:00

Native Plants: Combining Beauty with Water Conservation
FREE. No pre-registration required

Peggy Campbell will share her favorite native plants that add color and texture, thrive in NW gardens and attract wildlife. Discover how proper soil preparation, mulching, and watering will help your plants grow, save water, and reduce summer maintenance. Three locations and dates:

Saturday, April 3 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Molbak’s at 13625 NE 175th St, Woodinville (425) 483-5000
Saturday, April 10 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Swansons Nursery at 9701 15th Ave NW, Seattle (206) 782-2543
Saturday, April 17 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Sky Nursery at 18528 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline (206) 546-4851

Ornamental Edibles – Pretty Tasty!
FREE. Must attend first class and pre-register to attend second class (garden tour)

Part 1: Saturday, April 17 10 – 11:30 at Swansons Nursery, 9701 15th Ave NW (no registration)
Part 2: Saturday, May 1 10 – 11:30 in Lorene Edwards Forkner’s garden (see registration directions below)

Combine beauty and flavor in this year’s plants. Learn how edible plants can be ornamental and the needs they have for best flavor and nutrition. Find out how to employ strategic garden planning, build healthy soil, mulch with the right materials and practice effective watering. You’ll enjoy delicious food while conserving resources, time and money.

This is a two-part class that will take place at Swansons Nursery and in the speaker’s garden. To attend the May 1 class, please pre-register with the Garden Hotline by calling (206-633-0224) or by emailing (help@gardenhotline.org) and attending the classroom session at Swansons. Please provide your address, email and phone number to receive the class confirmation. Attendees of the May 1 class must reside in the Saving Water Partnership service area. Click here to see service area: http://savingwater.org/about_partners.htm. The location of Lorene’s garden will be provided at the Swansons’ class.

April 24th and 25th: Edmonds Community Wildlife Habitat Certification Celebration!

2010-03-09T15:21:00.000-08:00

Edmonds, WA will be receiving Community Wildlife Habitat certification from the National Wildlife Federation in April 2010 following almost two years of dedicated work by the Backyard and Community Wildlife Habitat team, the support of almost 161 residents, 5 schools, and 19 common places/parks who had registered their property as Backyard Wildlife Habitats through National Wildlife Federation, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

On Saturday, April 24th, 2010 the Community Wildlife Habitat certification celebration will take place at Yost Park located at 9535 Bowdoin Way in conjunction with the City of Edmonds annual Watershed Fun Fair. On Sunday, April 25th, 2010 the certification celebration continues with the grand opening of the Willow Creek Hatchery Wildlife Habitat & Native Plant Demonstration Garden at 95 Pine Street, sponsored by the Pilchuck Audubon. This event will also include tour maps to Edmonds Backyard Habitat Certified Yards.

From 11AM to 4PM on Saturday, April 24th, the Watershed Fun Fair & Habitat Certification Celebration will feature displays, demonstrations, and hands-on activities for all residents of Edmonds and other visitors. Participants include the Pilchuck Audubon Society, WSU Beach Watchers, Stilly-Snohomish Fisheries Enhancement Task Force, PAWS Wildlife Center, Bats Northwest, Washington Butterfly Association, Just Frogs/Toads Too and the Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife.

Chris Anderson of the WA Dept. of Fish & Wildlife will address the crowd, and a cake will be shared amongst the community in celebration of our joint efforts. Local Native Storyteller, Understanding Israel will lead us all in a blessing over the animals after which an all-species parade will begin. Everyone is invited to bring or wear a wildlife related costume, wings, etc. There will be tables set-up throughout the day with craft ideas and materials for making all- species costumes and masks.

National Wildlife Federation’s very own Ranger Rick will serve as Master of Ceremonies.
From 1PM to 3 PM on Sunday, April 25th there will be an open house at the Willow Creek Hatchery Garden at 95 Pine St. and Backyard Wildlife Habitat gardens open for visiting. At each of these gardens, which vary widely in size and focus, the owners are available to discuss gardening and habitat techniques. Maps to these gardens are available for pick-up at the Willow Creek Wildlife Habitat & Native Plant Demonstration Garden, 95 Pine Street on Sunday. This event is sponsored by Pilchuck Audubon.

For more information about the Edmonds Backyard Wildlife Habitat Project, visit our website at www.edmondsbackyardwildlifehabitat.org Make sure to check out our website’s Flickr page of photos from past events.

Backyard Habitat Workshop at Overlake School in Redmond, WA

2010-02-12T11:06:00.000-08:00

Please join experts from Eastside Audubon, National Wildlife Federation, Seattle Audubon, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington Native Plant Society and Woodland Park Zoo to learn 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, and get your yard certified as a Backyard Habitat.

This is a four-part workshop:
Monday, March 1, 2010 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Monday, March 8, 2010 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Monday, March 15, 2010 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Saturday, March 20, 2010 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

Location: Overlake School in Redmond, WA

Cost: $75 (or $140 for couples); Scholarships available for members of Sammamish Community Wildlife Habitat Project.

To register: download a registration form from Woodland Park Zoo's website.

FREE Rain Garden workshops!

2010-02-12T10:58:00.000-08:00

Please join Stewardship Partners for a hands-on classroom workshop on rain garden design and construction. We have several classes scheduled throughout King County and the Seattle Metro area beginning February 25 in Redmond.

Schedule for Rain Garden Classes in King County:
02/25 Redmond
03/18 Bothell
03/30 Seattle
04/01 Mercer Island
04/20 Lake Forest Park
04/29 Bellevue
05/18 Duvall

Rain gardens work like native forests by capturing and infiltrating stormwater from rooftops, driveways, and other hard surfaces. Rain gardens reduce flooding by absorbing water from impervious surfaces; filter oil, grease and toxic materials before they can pollute streams, lakes and bays; help to recharge the aquifer by increasing the quantity of water that soaks into the ground; provide beneficial wildlife habitat. Workshop participants will receive a rain garden handbook and other useful materials. They will also be invited to participate in several full scale rain garden installation workshops scheduled later in the spring and summer.

Workshops are free and registration is required. Participants will be sent site-assessment instructions in advance to help maximize their learning at the workshops.

Contact Stacey Gianas at Stewardship Partners to register and for more details:
Call (206) 292-9875 or email sg@stewardshippartners.org and visit www.stewardshippartners.org for more rain garden information.

The Oregon Rain Garden Guide is here!

2010-02-09T12:21:00.000-08:00

Check out the new Oregon Rain Garden Guide: A Step-by-Step Guide to Landscaping for Clean Water and Healthy Streams. This 44-page guide is a joint project of Oregon Sea Grant Extension, Oregon State University and East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District.

The pdf is available here: http://seagrant.oregonstate.edu/sgpubs/onlinepubs/h10001.pdf

February 20: Screening of "A Chemical Reaction"

2010-02-03T15:57:00.000-08:00

The Coalition of Organic Landscape Professionals (COOL) and Seattle Tilth are proud to present the NW Premiere of the documentary film, 'A Chemical Reaction'. Much of the film’s story focuses on Dr. June Irwin, a dermatologist who spurred the first town in Canada to ban lawn and garden chemicals pesticides in 1991. This action set off a chain of high-profile court cases that culminated in the Canadian Supreme Court in 2001, where the town won in a landmark 9-0 decision. Since its release in fall 2009, this film has been inspiring people across Canada and the United States to challenge the status quo on behalf of their children, pets, neighbors, and wildlife. With spring coming closer by the day, along with the annual spike in marketing of pesticide products, it's important for the voices of the citizen-heroes in this film to be included in the mix. The issue of pesticide use is particularly relevant in the Puget Sound region, where chemical fertilizers and pesticides run off into our lakes, rivers, streams, and the sound during each rainfall.

When: Saturday Feb. 20th from 2:00pm- 6:00pm

Where: Lake Washington Technical CollegeWest Building Auditorium, Rm. #40411605 132nd Avenue NE, Kirkland, WA 98034-8506

Featuring:

A special appearance by Paul Tukey, the film's producer and narrator, nationally known
writer and television host. Mr. Tukey will introduce the film, and host a post-screening Q &
A session and book signing.
Free educational resources and garden advice from the staff of The Garden Hotline.
Door prizes and refreshments.
Book sales

Tickets: $10.00 in advance from www.BrownPaperTickets.com or $15.00 at the door. Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to www.SafeLawns.org Free parking in the south or west parking lots (follow the sandwich board signs)

Campus map and driving directions: www.lwtc.edu/about/maps/campus

For more information: Contact C.O.O.L at info@organiclandscapers.org. or 206-362-8947. To view a movie trailer, visit www.ChemicalReactionMovie.com

February 5th: Naturalist David Mizejewski at Woodland Park Zoo

2010-01-25T16:12:00.000-08:00

Join celebrity naturalist David Mizejewski from National Wildlife Federation at a very special zoo event. David is a wildlife and gardening expert who regularly appears on radio and television (Today Show, Martha Stewart, HGTV, Animal Planet). He'll be joined by several animals that live at the zoo while he shares great ideas on creating wildlife-friendly gardens and fun ways of getting kids outdoors.

When: Friday, February 5th at 2:30 p.m.

Where: Zoomazium

Mention when entering the zoo that you're attending this event and your zoo admission will be free!

19th Annual Native Bareroot Plant Sale

2010-01-20T15:53:00.000-08:00

The King Conservation District offers a variety of native trees and shrubs for conservation purposes such as wildlife habitat, windbreaks, hedgerows, reforestation, and stream enhancement. The plants are bareroot stock which means they do not come in pots or burlap bags, but are harvested from the field in winter when the plants are dormant and ready to be replanted. Bareroot plants are hardy, have well-developed roots, are easy to handle, transport, and plant. Click here for more information and an order form.

February 27: Fort Lewis Sustainability Tour

2010-01-20T15:51:00.000-08:00

Join Earth Ministry on Saturday, February 27th from 10am-2pm for an exclusive look at the Army’s extensive sustainability practices as implemented at Fort Lewis. Washington State’s largest Army post has set far-reaching sustainability goals and is a model for the rest of the federal government in managing environmental systems. Click here for more information about the event.

Cost is $15/person. Please call with your credit card information to 206-632-2426 or make checks payable to Earth Ministry and mail to 6512 23rd Ave NW, Suite 317, Seattle, WA 98117. The tour is limited to 25 participants and an advance security check is required. Bring your own brown bag lunch and reusable water bottle.

To register for this exclusive tour, please fill out the form below. Additional information will be required closer to the tour date to secure visitors' passes for entry into Fort Lewis. Tour itinerary is subject to change at any time for security reasons.

Seattle Tilth 2010 Garden Educator Workshops

2010-01-13T08:43:00.000-08:00

Garden Educators Workshop Series
Each part offered once in Spring and again in Fall.

Part 1: Intro to Organic Schoolyard Gardening, March 6 & Sept. 23; 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Part 2: The Garden Classroom, March 27 & Sept. 30; 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Part 3: Curriculum Working Group, April 17 & Oct. 20; 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

WHERE: Good Shepherd Center; 4649 Sunnyside Ave N., Room 202, Seattle, WA 98103

This three part series will provide educators, parents and community volunteers the essentials for cultivating and maintaining a schoolyard garden. We will explore organic gardening basics, outdoor education techniques and ways to integrate the garden with classroom curriculum. Through a combination of lecture and hands-on activities we teach participants organic gardening, garden design, team building, program development, nutrition, cooking, art in the garden, and more. We highly encourage teams of three or more people from a school or garden project to attend this workshop to strengthen your program.

COST: $120 for all three workshops or $40 per workshop. Advance registration and payment is required.

Registration opens in early February. If you would like to be notified when registration opens, please send your contact information to childrensgarden@seattletilth.org

Garden Educators Summer Intensive

July 19-23; 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

WHERE: Good Shepherd Center; 4649 Sunnyside Ave N., Room 202, Seattle, WA 98103

This weeklong intensive allows educators to immerse themselves in the organic garden classroom. Spend a week at the Tilth Gardens at the Good Shepherd Center learning a wide variety of skills and techniques for cultivating and maintaining a schoolyard garden. We highly encourage teams of three or more people from a school or garden project to attend this workshop to strengthen your program.

COST: $200 Early Bird Registration, $225 (after June 28, 2010). Advance registration and payment is required.

Registration opens in early February. If you would like to be notified when registration opens, please send your contact information to childrensgarden@seattletilth.org

For more information, see Seattle Tilth's website.

New Pollinator Conservation Resource Center Online!

2009-12-18T08:45:00.000-08:00

The Xerces Society’s Pollinator Conservation Resource Center is now on-line! Containing a wealth of information, the resource center gives access to all you need to complete a pollinator conservation project in any region of the United States. When you visit the resource center, select your region from the map to access plant lists, details of creating and managing nest sites, pesticide protection guides, and practical guidance on planning and implementing habitat projects on farmlands, gardens, golf courses, parks, and wildlands.

Schoolyard Habitat: Stewardship through Action

2009-11-20T11:08:00.000-08:00

The Schoolyard Habitat program helps teachers and students create wildlife habitat on school grounds. Habitat is the collective term for the food, water, shelter and nursery areas that all wildlife needs to survive. The loss of habitat is one of the greatest threats facing wildlife today.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provides and coordinates with other agencies to give technical assistance and project guidance; provides teacher training; develops written resources; and works with the state Departments of Education on incorporating habitat issues into new school construction and renovation projects.

Benefits of the Schoolyard Habitat program include:

Improved habitat: Schoolyard habitat projects provide habitat for local and migratory wildlife including songbirds, shorebirds, small mammals, reptiles, amphibians and insects. In many cases, these habitats also provide a vegetative buffer to nearby streams, reducing pollution reaching these waterways.
Teaching and learning: Schoolyard habitats offer many teaching and learning opportunities in English, science, mathematics, history, geography, social studies and art. The process of planning, creating and using a habitat provides children with unique hands-on experiences. Research shows that using the environment as a focal point of teaching improves student performance.
Stewardship: During the formative years of life, students develop perceptions and values about their environment. If designed and managed properly, schoolyards can provide students a powerful example of land stewardship. Conversely, it is less likely that students will develop a sense of stewardship if attending a barren, poorly managed schoolyard.
Social development: Experts know that young children are driven to explore, discover and play while refining motor skills. A well-designed schoolyard including a diversity of natural areas, allows students to exercise these innate needs leading to a happier and more fulfilled childhood. Older students and adults also benefit. Research shows that most people are more relaxed in a natural landscape.

If you are interested in improving your schoolyard's habitat, contact Karen Kelly-Mullin, 410/573-4510, or you can download a copy of the Schoolyard Habitat Project Guide in .pdf format (2.1 megabytes). For more information, see the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website: http://www.fws.gov/chesapeakebay/schoolyd.html

October 17th is Duwamish Alive!

2009-09-25T13:50:00.000-07:00

Join the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition for habitat restoration at nine sites along the Duwamish River including Hamm Creek, Herring House by Kellogg Island, and the kayak river cleanup. For more information, see the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition's website: http://www.duwamishcleanup.org/programs.html#DuwamishAlive For more information about the Superfund site, see http://www.duwamishcleanup.org/superfund.html

Grants for Frog Ponds!

2009-09-11T09:30:00.000-07:00

Tree Walkers International (TWI), an organization dedicated to the conservation of amphibians, is offering $1,000 awards to organizations in Washington, Idaho, and Montanafor the creation of wetland habitats for amphibians and environmental education. Awardees will receive up to $1,000 for materials and/or labor to construct or restore suitable breeding habitat for local native amphibians. These awards are administered under Operation Frog Pond (OFP), a program of TWI that promotes the conservation of native amphibians through backyard and schoolyard habitat projects.

A major aspect of OFP is working with teachers and students to construct frog ponds at their schools, providing crucial breeding habitat for amphibians in developed areas as well as outdoor classrooms where students can learn about the importance of the environment through hands-on opportunities and experiences.

Upon being awarded an OFP grant, a regional coordinator will work with you and your students to design and construct a pond from start to finish, so don’t let a lack of knowledge of experience in pond building prevent you from applying.

For more information about Operation Frog Pond, see the TWI website. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Ron Skylstad (Director and PNW Regional Coordinator) via e-mail at ron@treewalkers.org

Annual Fall Fecal Fest--Drawing for Zoo Doo and Bedspread sale!

2009-08-31T10:03:00.000-07:00

WHAT: Fall is around the corner, which means it’s time for Woodland Park Zoo’s annual Fall Fecal Fest. Garden enthusiasts and Zoo Doo loyalists, get ready to enter a drawing to purchase the highly coveted Zoo Doo. The pungent piles of poop make up the richest, highly aromatic, most exotic compost in the Pacific Northwest. This year there is less Zoo Doo to go around, making the lottery more competitive.

Also available is Bedspread, a composted mulch made from the manures and bedding of the zoo’s non-primate herbivores. Bedspread is like Zoo Doo but contains higher amounts of wood chips and sawdust. It is excellent fertile mulch for perennial beds and woody landscapes such as native gardens, rose beds, shrubs, tree rings or pathways, and is an ideal mulch and soil builder for Northwest gardens.

WHEN: Dr. Doo is accepting entry cards for Zoo Doo or Bedspread from September 11 through September 25 only. Entry cards will be randomly selected according to supply and demand. Dr. Doo will contact the lucky drawn entries only. The Fecal Fest traditionally sells out.

Pick-up dates begin October 9 through October 25. The lucky winners load the compost, using shovels provided by the zoo.

HOW: Only one postcard per person is eligible for the drawing. Phone orders will not be taken. Send a standard postcard to Zoo Doo, Woodland Park Zoo, 601 N. 59th St., Seattle, WA 98103.

Include the following information:

Name
Day/evening phone numbers
Preference: Zoo Doo or Bedspread
Amount of Zoo Doo or Bedspread you’d like to purchase (anything from a garbage bag to a full-size pick-up truck load)
Weekday or weekend preference for pick-up

PRICES: Zoo Doo and Bedspread: Pick-up truck 8x4 bed: $60; 6x4 bed: $45; 6x3 bed: $35. Garbage cans: $8 to $10; bags: $4 to $6 depending on size. Limit one full truck per person. Two-gallon and pint-sized buckets are available in the ZooStore for $14.95 and $4.95, respectively.

INFO: For more information, call the poop line at 206.625.POOP or visit the zoo’s website at http://www.zoo.org/.

Sept. 11-13: Puget Sound Bird Fest!

2009-08-27T09:57:00.000-07:00

The spotlight will be on birds once again at PUGET SOUND BIRD FEST in Edmonds, Friday through Sunday, September 11-13! This year’s festival will feature many of the same activities as in past years, as well as some new opportunities to learn about and observe birds at home in their habitats. For more information, see their website.

New Northwest Zoo & Aquarium Alliance Resources!

2009-06-23T11:40:00.000-07:00

NEW Backyard Habitat Website
The NW Zoo & Aquarium Alliance—of which Woodland Park Zoo is a member—has created a comprehensive website dedicated to providing you with detailed information and resources as you continue providing habitat for wildlife in your backyard, schoolyard or community garden: http://www.nwzaa.org/project-pages/backyard.html

Certify your Yard with Three Partners!
The NW Zoo & Aquarium Alliance (NWZAA) has joined forces with National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to offer partner certification for certifying your backyard wildlife habitat. You fill out one application and are certified by three organizations! For more information and links on how to certify, checkout NWAA's website: http://www.nwzaa.org/project-pages/backyard15.html Already certified with NWF and/or WDFW? Contact NWZAA Backyard Habitat Coordinator Jenny Mears at jenny.mears@zoo.org or 206-548-2557 for your FREE NWZAA certification package!

Duwamish River Boat Tour in August!

2009-06-23T10:22:00.000-07:00

When: Tuesday, August 11th from 7:30 to 9:30 pm
Cost: $20 per person

Join Woodland Park Zoo staff, volunteers and past Backyard Habitat workshop participants on a boat tour of the Duwamish River! Make community connections beyond your backyard to the greater Duwamish ecosystem. You'll learn about the cultural and natural history of the river, pollution hotspots and habitat restoration opportunities with the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition. We'll also search for wildlife such as eagles, ospreys, seals and otters.

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

Questions? Contact Jenny Mears at jenny.mears@zoo.org or 206-548-2557.

Follow Julie's Backyard Journal!

2009-06-19T12:09:00.000-07:00

Julie attended Woodland Park Zoo's Backyard Habitat workshop in October 2006 and since then has been journaling the progress she's made in her yard. She recently decided to put those journal entries in a blog in order to share tips and inspiration with those interested in creating habitat in their own yards. Here's a sample from her first entry:

The birth of an obsession? Such a little thing. I was sitting out back reading when I heard the oddest whirring sound coming from near the maple. I almost didn’t see it, sitting near the top of the tree almost hidden between sun dappled leaves. It was a little shimmery green bird. It’s head flicked from side to side searching. Then, a little jewel hurled from a sling shot, it was down below in the salvia. It stayed for quite a while seeming to sip from every blue bloom on every arching stem before taking off over the fence.

Want more? Check out Julie's Backyard Journal!

June 18th: Be Garden Wise: Linking Horticulture and Plant Invasions

2009-06-10T12:39:00.000-07:00

WHEN: Thursday, June 18th / 6:00 – 9:00pm
WHERE: Douglas classroom, UW Botanic Gardens (Center for Urban Horticulture) at the University of Washington
INSTRUCTORS: Marty Wingate, Dr. Sarah Reichard , Dana Coggon and Dr. Lizbeth Seebacher
FEE: $25

Some plants may look beautiful, but non-native invasive plants can have a devastating effect on your garden and the biodiversity of surrounding natural areas. Come learn about invasive plant identification, impacts, pathways, control and alternatives from the region’s horticultural experts. Learn what you can do to stop the invasion. Look forward to a panel discussion with the speakers and Master Gardeners at the tail end of the workshop. Two of our experts will also have their books available for signing.

TO REGISTER: Register at: www.pnw-ipc.org under the Be Garden Wise: Linking Horticulture and Plant Invasions icon. You can mail a check to the address listed or pay upon arrival on the evening of the workshop. You can also visit www.uwbotanicgardens.org under Public Education to download a registration form. Please contact info@pnw-ipc.org with any questions.

Join the Zoo at tomorrow's Tukwila Backyard Wildlife Festival!

2009-05-08T08:50:00.001-07:00

Be sure to stop by the zoo's Share the Habitat booth at the Tukwila Backyard Wildlife Festival tomorrow, Saturday, May 9th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Tukwila Community Center. We'll have numerous resources and information about creating backyard habitat, as well as sharing habitat around the world. For more information on the festival, check our their website.

May 11th: Naturescaping for Wildlife

2009-05-01T10:55:00.000-07:00

Monday, May 11th from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Phinney Neighborhood Association, Room 5
6532 Phinney Avenue N, Seattle, WA 98103
$10 per person

From soils to understory to canopy, learn about creating your own urban oasis for your family, and our local wildlife and ecosystem. In this class, we'll share information on what diversity of beautiful, abundant life you can expect to attract and how to carry out basic naturescaping (natural gardening) design, installation, and maintenance.

Presented by Kimberly Leeper of Mariposa Naturescapes (www.mariposanaturescapes.com) and Heather Swift of Cohabitats (www.cohabitats.com).

Purchase tickets in advance at Brown Paper Tickets or pay at the door.

Space is limited!

Happy Earth Day!

2009-04-22T09:07:00.000-07:00

There's many ways you can celebrate Earth Day in your backyard and in your community!

Sign up for Water Features for Wildlife class on April 29th at Woodland Park Zoo: http://www.zoo.org/educate/adult/workshops.html
Check out Savvy Gardener classes and a feature story on welcoming wildlife into your garden: http://www.savingwater.org/savvygardener/default.htm
Sign up for a habitat restoration event with EarthCorps this weekend: http://www.earthcorps.org/volunteer.php
Share how you're spending this Earth Day, Week and Month: Feel free to post your plans in the comments section!

Together, we can Share the Habitat!

April 25th: Master Gardener Plant Sale!

2009-04-15T10:11:00.000-07:00

Master Gardener Foundation of Pierce County Annual Plant Sale
When: April 25th from 9:30 – 4:00 and April 26 from 10:00 -3:00
Where: Allmendinger Hall, 2606 W. Pioneer, in Puyallup.

Native Plants, Vegetables, Perennials, Annuals, Succulents, Trees, Shrubs, Bushes, Vendors, Book Sale, Raffle, Free Seminar and Parking. Come early for the best selection. Visit www.pierce.wsu.edu/MasterGardeners or call 253-847-7601 for more info.

April 25th: How to Create Your Own Bird-Friendly Garden

2009-04-09T11:26:00.000-07:00

Saturday April 25th from 10:00am-11:30am
“HOW TO CREATE YOUR OWN BIRD-FRIENDLY GARDEN” presented by Emily Bishton, landscape designer and educator

The class will include:
• A table display with hands-on examples of plants, nesting boxes, bird nests, books, etc. for children and adults to explore.
• A brief PowerPoint presentation on the topic, that illustrates how to add wildlife-friendly features to your own garden, to attract birds, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.
• Info on Bird-Friendly maintenance techniques for your garden.
• A guided tour of the Community Center's Bird-Friendly Landscape.
• Take home materials such as a Top 10 Native Plants List, The 4 Keys to Success, and other educational materials.
• Question and Answer time.

Location: Magnuson Community Center Building 477110 62nd Avenue NE Seattle, WA 98115

For more info or to register for the class, contact the Community Center staff at 206-684-7026 or visit http://www.seattle.gov/parks/magnuson/

April 29th: Water Features for Wildlife evening class at Woodland Park Zoo

2009-04-09T11:15:00.000-07:00

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.

Date and time: Wednesday, April 29, 2009 from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. Cost: $20
To register, please see the zoo's website: http://www.zoo.org/educate/adult/workshops.html

Amazing Local Backyard Habitat Website!

2009-04-09T11:04:00.000-07:00

Check out Edmonds Backyard Wildlife Habitat Community Certification Project's website; it's chockful of information and resources about wildlife and backyard habitats. Their Events Calendar alone is enough to keep you busy all summer long!

http://edmondsbackyardwildlifehabitat.org/

May 16th: Gardens of Fox Island

2009-03-26T15:45:00.000-07:00

The 2009 Fox Island Garden Tour will feature some of the Island's most beautiful gardens. The tour begins at 10:00 AM, with coffee & snacks served at the Nichols Community Center, along with guided tours of the Fox Island Nature Center nature trails, led by Boy Scouts from Troop 27.

There will also be an Art Show that will be held in the south front room at NCC, plus an antique Quilt Show at the museum.Take the tour of gardens, and stroll through five unique gardens of Fox Island residents. Stop back at the Nichols Center for a box lunch, with the Chapel on Echo Bay.Finally, round out the day with light refreshments at the Fox Island Museum.

Tickets are $12.00 in advance, $15.00 the day of the tour.

Contact Carolyn Braden at 253-549-4542 or DeeAnn Cline at 253-549-2669 for more information. E-mail: hcline@centurytel.net Website: http://www.foxislandmuseum.org

May 10: Magnuson Community Center Bird-Friendly Landscape Dedication Celebration

2009-03-23T10:46:00.000-07:00

You're invited to the Magnuson Community Center Bird-Friendly Landscape Dedication Celebration!

When: Sunday May 10th, beginning at 10:00am
Where: Magnuson Community Center (Building #47, 7110 62nd Ave. NE)
Cost: FREE!

Come celebrate this beautiful new addition to the Magnuson Community Center; a landscape that provides much-needed habitat for native birds and other urban wildlife, as well as a peaceful oasis for bird-watching. The Dedication Celebration will be filled with lots of fun for the whole family. Enjoy refreshments while you browse through a display of bird nests and other materials in the Community Center, take a tour of the landscape with its designer, then make sure to join the Chautauqua Marching Band Parade and Ribbon Cutting with special guest Ciscoe Morris!After the Dedication Celebration, join the parade to the Festival of Trees, a FREE family event to celebrate Seattle’s trees with a day of learning and entertainment.

Festival of Trees Highlights:

Lots of indoor and outdoor nature activities for kids and families; make Mother's Day gifts from recycled paper, help create a tree mural, and explore the acclaimed Magnuson Children's Garden.
Free talks by your favorite famous gardener; Celebrity gardeners include author-columnists Ciscoe Morris, Marty Wingate, Arthur Lee Jacobsen, Linda Chalker-Scott, and others.
The New Old Time Chautauqua will provide a boatload of family fun and live entertainment: music, magic, juggling, comedy, aerial acrobatics and more.
Live tree planting and tree care demonstrations all day.
Tour the secret gardens of Magnuson Park.
Browse education displays from local Environmental Organizations
Shop at booths filled with eco-friendly products, crafts, and healthy-food.

For more info: See festival link on homepage of PlantAmnesty.org. Contact PlantAmnesty @ 206-783-9813, or info@plantamnesty.org

Volunteer and Learn to Landscape with Native Plants!

2009-03-23T10:41:00.000-07:00

EOS Alliance is hosting 3 volunteer opportunities for anyone interested in gaining hands-on experience with native plant landscaping. EOS, along with Mariposa Naturescapes, is working with three homeowners in the Seattle area to kill their lawn and install an entirely native plant landscape on their property and we need volunteers!

Dates to Volunteer :
Saturday - April 11, 200910 A.M. -- 2 P.M.West SeattleRSVP
Saturday - April 25, 200911 A.M. -- 3 P.M.Victory HeightsRSVP
Saturday - May 2, 200910 A.M. -- 2 P.M. Ballard/Phinney Ridge RSVP

Join us at one or all of the homes where Kimberly Leeper, owner of Mariposa Landscapes and accomplished horticulturist, will present a hands-on introductory workshop about landscaping and gardening with native plants. Come ready to work because we will be helping each of these homeowners jump-start their landscaping projects!

Bring your work clothes, shoes (remember to dress for the weather) and a bag lunch. We will provide tools, gloves, materials and snacks.

*Space is limited for each of these events so please RSVP in advance, and we will send you additional information.

Savvy Gardener Spring Class and Spring Garden Fair

2009-03-16T09:25:00.000-07:00

Easy Plants for Carefree Gardening
Saturday, March 28th 10 to 11:30 am
Swansons Nursery at 9701 15th Ave NW, Seattle (206) 782-2543

Ready for a more leisurely summer? Tired of endless weeding and watering? Learn tips, proven techniques and plant suggestions from Peggy Campbell for year-round beauty and easy success. Gather lists of plants able to thrive in our dry summers. Free class, sponsored by Seattle Public Utilities and the Saving Water Partnership.

2009 Spring Garden Fair
Saturday, April 25th 9 am - 3:30 pm
Redmond City Hall - 15670 NE 85th, Redmond
www.springgardenfair.com

Classes at the Fair:
Making the Right Choices for a Climate-Resilient Garden - Ciscoe Morris
Soil Building Practices for a Changing Climate - David McDonald
Contain Yourself! - Marianne Binetti
Beyond Water Conservation...Making the Most of Rainwater - Mike Broili
Trees and Climate Change - Ciscoe Morris & Meeghan Black
Also, check into the sales on plants, gardening books, bird houses, rain barrels and compost bins.Bring your children to have fun building a terrarium and more.

Happy Gardening!

www.seattle.gov/util
www.savingwater.org

Urban Garden Share in Seattle!

2009-03-16T08:51:00.000-07:00

Info from Urban Garden Share's website:
There is limited green space for food and flowers in this place we call the urban jungle. Matching homeowners (with garden space) to gardeners (with experience) is the perfect solution for cultivating both food production and community. Condo and apartment dwellers are faced with containers or p-patches as their only prospects for vibrant gardens. Homeowners can be overwhelmed by yet-another-garden-project. Together, we make a great team.

Urban Garden Share pairs together eager gardeners with eager gardens. When neighbors come together and co-operatively grow food, dirt flies and good things happen.

King County is digging native plants and needs your help!

2009-02-23T10:41:00.000-08:00

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 Brandt Properties LLC for providing the salvage site.

When: Saturday, March 7, 2009
Time: 9 a.m. to 12:00 p.m: Salvage at site in Maple Valley
1 p.m. to 4 p.m: Potting at Holding Facility

Directions: From I-405 near Renton, take Highway 169 to Maple Valley. Drive past the Maple Valley Market and McDonalds in Maple Valley. Turn left on SE 240th St. Turn left on 231st Ave SE. Turn left on SE 239th Pl. Turn left on SE 238th St. If you prefer, you can also try Google maps and search for SE 238th St., Maple Valley, WA. Volunteers who dig for King County from 9:00 to 12:00 are eligible to dig plants for themselves from 12:00 to 1:30.

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 who 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.

This Friday: Live Webcast with Author of Birds & Climate Report

2009-02-18T09:22:00.000-08:00

Dr. Greg Butcher, Audubon's Director of Bird Conservation, will give an inside look into his groundbreaking report, Birds and Climate Change: Ecological Disruption in Motion, live at 1 PM EST/10 AM PST this Friday, February 20.

Register for the live webcast.

WHAT: A live webcast with Dr. Greg Butcher as he reviews the groundbreaking report Birds and Climate Change: Ecological Disruption in Motion. The webcast will feature an interactive slideshow and presentation, followed by questions and answers.

WHEN: Friday, February 20 at 1 PM EST/10 AM PST

More Information: We wish we could send Dr. Butcher to communities across the country, but since we can't, we wanted to offer the next best thing. The webcast will be a live event that you watch and listen to on your computer. All you need is an internet connection and computer speakers — there's no special software to install. This is your chance to hear from — and ask questions of — one of Audubon's top bird scientists. Can't make the webcast? Don't worry! An archive of the event will be available on our website.

Backyard Habitat Workshop at Camp Long!

2009-02-11T12:13:00.000-08:00

Join Woodland Park Zoo, National Wildlife Federation, Seattle Audubon, Seattle Parks & Recreation, 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, 2009 from 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

Wine Tasting Featuring Salmon-Safe Certified Washington Wines!

2009-02-11T11:57:00.000-08:00

Salmon-Safe Certified vineyards employ environmental practices that protect water quality and support on-farm biodiversity - all of which add up to supporting healthy salmon habitat. Taste wines from premier wineries including L'Ecole 41, Woodinville Wine Cellars, Buty Winery and Waters Winery, while supporting a great cause.

Please join Stewardship Partners and Belltown gem, The Local Vine, to taste some of Washington's most eco-conscious wines and learn what it means to be Salmon-Safe.

What: Salmon-Safe Wine Tasting
Where: The Local Vine, 2520 Second Avenue, Seattle, WA
When: Thursday, February 26, 2009 from 6 to 8 pm

No reservations necessary. Cost is $5 per person and will be refunded with your retail purchase.

For more information email ba@stewardshippartners.org or visit www.stewardshippartners.org

Water Features for Wildlife Evening Class at Woodland Park Zoo

2009-01-21T10:19:00.002-08:00

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

2009-01-21T10:19:00.001-08:00

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

2009-01-21T08:10:00.000-08:00

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.

Backyard Habitat Workshop at Camp Long!

2009-01-20T13:32:00.000-08:00

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

January 27th: Gardeners and Global Warming: Impacts and Solutions

2008-12-15T10:29:00.000-08:00

Join National Wildlife Federation and Woodland Park Zoo for a special event about gardening and its important role as a solution to global warming. Attention about this worldwide issue is growing, and it’s time for gardeners to take action.

EVENT DETAILS:
Date: Tuesday, January, 27, 2009
Time: Lecture: 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Become a Trainer: 8:00 – 9:00 pm (optional)
Location: Education Center Classroom 2, Woodland Park Zoo
Cost: Free!

RSVP HERE: http://online.nwf.org/jan27gardenersguide

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:
• Hear from experts about the impacts of global warming on the environment.
• Real solutions for how gardening can protect plants and animals.
• Network with other like-minded gardeners and plant enthusiasts.
• Tips to strengthen and beautify your community.
• “Become a Trainer” session after the lecture.

Take the next step in your commitment to gardening.
Stick around for the “Become a Trainer” session after the lecture and learn how to give the Gardening and Global Warming presentation. Educate the members of your community about this growing threat to plants and wildlife.

This lecture is based on National Wildlife Federation’s Gardener’s Guide to Global Warming report. Download it today at www.nwf.org/gardenersguide

December 13th Native Plant Salvage

2008-12-09T12:38:00.000-08:00

Bonus Native Plant Salvage for YOU! You do not need to register for this event.

Come dig up native trees and shrubs from this site scheduled for development. At this salvage, you keep whatever plants you dig. That’s right. Now is a better time than ever to shrink that lawn and install wonderful Northwest flora to benefit local wildlife and water quality.

Time: Show up anytime between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM on Saturday, December 13, 2008. We will salvage on site until about 2:00. Many salvagers can fill their vehicle in as little as an hour.

Please download and fill out a liability waiver in advance: http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/pi/waiver.htm

These salvages are loads of fun. Here are some things to know.

Upon arriving at the site, immediately check in with staff to hand in your liability waiver, and learn salvage area boundaries. If you are unsure if you can salvage in an area, ask before you dig!

Do not go to the site any other time. It is trespassing.

Salvage containers: Plastic grocery sacks, buckets, pots and buckets all work. If the plants will be going in the ground the same day, the plants can be wrapped in a tarp. Bring your own shovel. A flat spade or pointed shovel will work. Loppers or pruners help with plants on runners. If you would like a snag, bring a bow saw. No chainsaws allowed.

Dress for weather and be prepared to get dirty. Bring your own refreshments if needed.

Need help? Look for volunteers in orange vests to help you identify plants.

Directions to site
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) on to Eastridge DR. NE. Watch for signs directing you to the site. This event is at the same location as the Dec 6th salvage.

The following event is addition to the December 6th volunteer Native Plant Salvage. Hopefully you can make both events.

The Dec. 6th salvage information is available at: http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/stewardship/volunteer/plant-salvage-program.aspx

Snohomish Conservation District Plant Sale

2008-11-25T12:38:00.000-08:00

Message from the Snohomish Conservation District:
The 2009 "Conservation Plant Sale" kicks off on December 1st, when pre-orders begin. The 2009 brochure and order form are now on our website at: http://www.snohomishcd.org/plant-sale.

New this year on the website is a fill-able order form that can be filled out on-line and printed, then mailed or faxed to our office. This helps us because the orders will be legible and it helps you because it does the math! When you print you name on page 2, it will add your name to page 1 for us.

There is also an excel file on the website that can be filled out, saved on your computer, and then emailed to: treesaleorders@snohomishcd.org.

Please note that neither of these order forms link to our inventory of plants, and that you still need to wait to receive your white confirmation before mailing a check in. We do not
accept credit or debit cards. Checks, cash and money orders only, please.

Dec 6th: Help Salvage Native Plants!

2008-11-20T10:24:00.000-08:00

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 Murray Franklyn LLC for providing the salvage site.

As always, volunteers that dig for our program for at least a couple hours in the morning are welcome to stay after and dig additional plants to take home. Volunteers that help pot up plants in the afternoon will also be able to take some “thank you” plants home.

When: Saturday, December 6, 2008

Time: 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. salvage at site,
1 p.m. to 4 p.m. potting at Holding Facility

Where: Redmond Ridge near Redmond

Directions to salvage site: 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 Eastridge Dr. NE. Watch for signs directing you to the site.

Not a morning person? Volunteers also needed at our Native Plant Holding Facility from 12:30 until 4:00 to help pot up the salvaged plants.

Directions to the Native Plant Holding Facility (12:30 - 4:00)
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 Dr. 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) 27101 Duthie Hill Road.

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.

Please call Greg Rabourn at 206-296-1923 or email greg.rabourn@kingcounty.gov if you plan to participate. Your response helps us provide enough tools and refreshments.

December 9th: GARDENERS AND GLOBAL WARMING: Impacts and Solutions

2008-11-18T13:22:00.000-08:00

Join National Wildlife Federation and Woodland Park Zoo for a special event about gardening and its important role as a solution to global warming. Attention about this worldwide issue is growing, and it’s time for gardeners to take action.

EVENT DETAILS:
Date: Tuesday, December 9th, 2008
Time: Lecture: 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Become a Trainer: 8:00 – 9:00 pm (optional)
Location: ARC, Woodland Park Zoo (map provided when you RSVP)
Cost: Free!
RSVP: http://online.nwf.org/site/Calendar?view=Detail&id=102161
Questions: sullivanc@nwf.org or call 206-285-8707 x 108

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:
• Hear from experts about the impacts of global warming on the environment.
• Real solutions for how gardening can protect plants and animals.
• Network with other like-minded gardeners and plant enthusiasts.
• Tips to strengthen and beautify your community.
• “Become a Trainer” session after the lecture.

Take the next step in your commitment to gardening.
Stick around for the “Become a Trainer” session after the lecture and learn how to give the Gardening and Global Warming presentation. Educate the members of your community about this growing threat to plants and wildlife.

This lecture is based on National Wildlife Federation’s Gardener’s Guide to Global Warming report. Download it today at www.nwf.org/gardenersguide

Native Plant Salvage and Last Naturescaping Workshop announced

2008-10-22T15:35:00.000-07:00

Help Salvage Native Plants!
Dig in with other volunteers digging up trees and shrubs from this site scheduled for clearing. 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. Volunteers also needed at our Native Plant Holding Facility from 12:30 until 4:00 to help pot up the salvaged plants.

When: Saturday, November 1, 2008
9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. salvage at site
12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. potting at Holding Facility
Where: Maple Valley

As always, volunteers that dig for us for at least a couple hours in the morning are welcome to stay after and dig additional plants to take home. Volunteers that help pot up plants in the afternoon will be able to take some plants home also.

More info including directions: http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/stewardship/volunteer/plant-salvage-program.aspx

FREE Naturescaping Workshop and Native Plant Salvage
Learn how to create a wildlife friendly landscape using native plants in your own backyard. Native plants require less maintenance and water than non-native ornamentals and local wildlife love a native landscape. You will also learn many helpful tips on controlling the weeds that may threaten your project.

November 12, 2008
Rock Creek Elementary
25700 Maple Valley-Black Diamond Road SE (Highway 169)
Maple Valley, WA 98038
7:00PM-9:00PM

BIG Bonus: Participants at the workshop are welcome to travel to a site scheduled for development to dig up native plants for their personal habitat and landscaping projects.

The native plant salvage for naturescaping participants will be on Saturday, November 15th, 9am until 1pm. Directions to the salvage provided at the workshop. If you have previously attended one of our Naturescaping workshops, you are welcome to just attend the salvage. You do not need to retake the workshop. Simply email me your name and the approximate date you attended the workshop. I will email you directions to the site before November 15th.

More info:
http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/stewardship/volunteer/plant-salvage-program.aspx

Space is limited so reserve your spot now!
To register, contact Greg Rabourn at 206-296-1923 or greg.rabourn@kingcounty.gov

WDFW Living with Wildlife forums

2008-10-08T10:37:00.000-07:00

Learn all about the lives and behaviors of urban wildlife: what to do when you encounter wildlife and how you can help wildlife and humans coexist peacefully.

Wednesday, October 15th: Bitter Lake Community Center Annex
Tuesday, October 21st: Camp Long
Wednesday, October 29th: Meadowbrook Community Center

7:00 pm - 7: 45 pm: Russell Link, author of Landscaping for Wildlife in the Pacific Northwest and Living with Wildlife in the Pacific Northwest speaks on peaceful urban coexistence with common urban species and a general ‘how-to’ make your property and your behavior wildlife-responsible.

7:45 - 8:30 pm: representatives from Seattle Parks and Recreation, Woodland Park Zoo, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Progressive Animal Welfare Society, Seattle Audubon, the National Wildlife Federation and the Marine Mammal Stranding Network are available to provide materials and answer questions.

For more information, please call 206-684-7415

FREE: Savvy Gardener Fall Classes

2008-09-03T11:15:00.000-07:00

Dazzling Dry Shade Combinations
Saturday, September 13 10 – 11:30 am
Swanson’s Nursery, 9701 15th Ave NW, Seattle
Taught by Peggy Campbell

Discover plants that grow in dry shade under trees, eaves, and in areas you are tired of watering. Peggy Campbell will show some of her favorites to brighten shady spots. In this 90 minute class, you’ll gather simple solutions for bare areas, lawn alternatives, and seasonal color. And you will learn easy steps to help these plants thrive.

Fall Plant Palettes for a Drought Tolerant Garden
Saturday, September 27 10 am – noon or 1 – 3 pm
Shoreline (directions will be sent to registered students)
Taught by Stacie Crooks, Crooks Garden Design

Experience Stacie Crooks’ colorful garden and learn first hand how to transform a resource-intensive lawn into tapestries of drought tolerant plantings. Using plants that lend color and structure year round, Stacie has created a garden that not only gets national attention for its beauty, but also fits her busy schedule. Look for photos of Stacie's garden in the October issue of Fine Gardening.

Pre-registration required. Attendees must reside in the Saving Water Partnership service area. Click here to see service area: http://savingwater.org/about_partners.htm. Please note that this class is for gardeners who have a basic knowledge of plant types and their names. Since we have a small class size, please register if you have not seen Stacie's garden before.

Register via the Garden Hotline by calling (206) 633-0224 or emailing help@gardenhotline.org. Please provide your address, email and phone number to receive the class location and confirmation.

Fall Backyard Habitat Workshop!

2008-08-14T10:16:00.000-07:00

Join Woodland Park Zoo, National Wildlife Federation, Seattle Audubon Society and Washington Native Plant Society for this informative workshop on creating a backyard wildlife habitat. Meet experts and get hands-on experience that will show you 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:

Monday, September 22, 2008 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Monday, September 29, 2008 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Monday, October 6, 2008 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 11, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Cost: $75 (or $140 for couples); $50 for Phinney Neighborhood Association members

To register, see the zoo's website: http://www.zoo.org/educate/adult/workshops.html
For more information , please contact us at 206.548.2424 or jenny.mears@zoo.org.

10% off native plants at Pipers Creek Nursery!

2008-04-25T12:26:00.000-07:00

Go Natives! specializing in native plants for the Puget Sound is now located at Pipers Creek Nursery and will have more natives for your garden. Now available on their website, a downloadable coupon good for 10% off your entire order of plants and trees!

Record the Ribbit! Saturday, May 3rd

2008-04-25T12:20:00.001-07:00

Leap into spring with your family and friends by celebrating FrogWatch 2008: Record the Ribbit on Saturday, May 3rd. This one-day event is easy, free and a perfect way for people of all ages to learn about the frogs and toads that live in our region. To participate, just visit www.nwf.org/ribbit, to learn about amphibians in our region by listening to their calls and viewing photos of local species. Then head outside on a nature walk – ideally, right around dusk when frogs are most likely to be calling. When you’re finished, come back to the Record the Ribbit website to share your sightings online.

Record the Ribbit is a special event of FrogWatch USA, the popular citizen-science amphibian monitoring program managed by the National Wildlife Federation in partnership with the United States Geological Survey. By participating in this long-term amphibian study, you have the opportunity to be directly involved in gathering information that can ultimately lead to practical and workable ways to help stop the decline of these important species.

Native Plant Appreciation Week: April 27th - May 3rd

2008-04-25T08:26:00.000-07:00

This week is a celebration of the amazing diversity of Washington’s over 3000 native plant species that inhabit deserts, rain forests, high alpine environments, river valleys, and even backyard landscapes. Native plant ecosystems are critical to sustaining our native wildlife and the quality of Washington’s environment. The Washington Native Plant Society provides a website highlighting events scheduled for the week and links to other participating organizations’ websites.

Northwest Natural Yard Days: April 15 to May 15

2008-03-19T10:33:00.000-07:00

Northwest Natural Yard Days (NNYD) is a partnership of local government agencies, cities and local water providers. The goal of this popular program is to encourage residents of King County and surrounding areas to practice natural yard care. This is done through discounts on natural yard care product sales in the spring each year. For more information, see King County's Northwest Natural Yard Days website.

Backyard Habitat workshop and two Evening Classes at Woodland Park Zoo

2008-03-10T10:33:00.000-07:00

Backyard Habitat Workshop
Four-part Workshop:
Monday, April 7, 2008 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Monday, April 14, 2008 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Monday, April 21, 2008 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 26, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Would you like to attract wildlife to your backyard? Please join Woodland Park Zoo, National Wildlife Federation, Seattle Audubon Society and Washington Native Plant Society for a workshop on creating a backyard wildlife habitat. A "backyard habitat" can be a small space, schoolyard or community garden.

YOU can make a difference for Wildlife - Habitat Begins at Home!
Cost: $55 (or $100 per couple); $35 for Phinney Neighborhood Association members

Water Features for Wildlife
Evening class: Wednesday, May 21, 2008 from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. Cost: $20
Clean, fresh water is a crucial part of any habitat. Join Woodland Park Zoo and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife staff 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.

Are Weeds Taking Over Your Backyard?
Evening class: Wednesday, May 28, 2008 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Cost: $20
Weeds are tough invaders that can quickly dominate your backyard. These non-native, invasive plants crowd out native plants that provide habitat for wildlife and some of them can harm you and your children and even your pets. All noxious weeds are hard to control and will only get worse if you leave them alone. Join Woodland Park Zoo and King County's Noxious Weed Control Program to learn more about the threats noxious weeds pose, as well as how to identify and eradicate some of our area's worst noxious weeds.

To register for the workshop or classes: download application form from Woodland Park Zoo's website: http://www.zoo.org/educate/adult/workshops.html

Questions? Call or email Jenny Mears at 206-548-2557 or jenny.mears@zoo.org

Living with Wildlife: Open House

2008-02-06T09:16:00.000-08:00

Thursday, Feb. 7, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

In light of the recent developments at Discovery Park regarding coyote encounters with humans, several state and local agencies have joined together to bring you helpful information designed to reduce conflicts with urban wildlife. Partners at the Open House include: Seattle Parks and Recreation, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), Woodland Park Zoo and Seattle Animal Shelter. These agencies will be able to:

answer questions about coyotes, including addressing your concerns
discuss how to peacefully co-exist with many types of urban wildlife
instruct you on how to humanely provide care for feral cats
show you how to make your backyard a wildlife friendly environment and much more

Light snacks will be provided. Please join us! Catharine Blaine K-8, 2550 34th Ave. W

Are Noxious Weeds Taking Over Your Backyard?

2007-10-09T13:53:00.000-07:00

Noxious weeds are tough invaders that can quickly dominate your backyard. These non-native, invasive plants crowd out native plants that provide habitat for wildlife and some of them can harm you, your children and even your pets. All noxious weeds are hard to control and will only get worse if you leave them alone. Join Woodland Park Zoo and King County's Noxious Weed Control Program to learn more about the threats noxious weeds pose, as well as how to identify and eradicate some of our area's worst noxious weeds.

Date and time: Monday, November 12th from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Cost: $20 ($15 for Woodland Park Zoo staff and volunteers)
Location: Woodland Park Zoo

To register: Download a registration form here or contact Jenny Mears at (206) 615-1027 or jenny.mears@zoo.org

Savvy Gardener Classes and Discounted Plants!

2007-08-31T11:52:00.000-07:00

The Saving Water Partnership has partnered with several area nurseries to offer discounts (at least 25% off) on plants that will thrive in different conditions. This plant promotion is designed to help you match the right plants with the conditions you have in your garden (right place). See the Saving Water Partnership Web site for more info.

The Saving Water Partnership is also sponsoring FREE Savvy Gardener Classes this fall from a variety of gardening and horticulture professionals. See the Saving Water Partnership Web site for class topics, locations, dates and times.

Warning about Backyard Bird Feeders

2007-06-11T14:22:00.000-07:00

"After reports of sick or dead birds at backyard feeders in Washington, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife has recommended that people temporarily discontinue bird feeding or take extra steps to keep their feeders clean."

Details here:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/6420AP_WA_Dead_Birds.html

Backyard Habitat Workshop in September

2007-06-11T14:18:00.000-07:00

The next Backyard Habitat Workshop will be:

Thursday, September 6th from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Monday, September 10th from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Saturday, September 15th from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

For more information on this three-part workshop, please visit the zoo's Backyard Habitat workshops page or email jenny.mears@zoo.org

April 29th – May 5th: Native Plant Appreciation Week!

2007-04-20T12:19:00.000-07:00

Washington Native Plant Society and many other organizations are participating in Native Plant Appreciation Week. Events include native plant garden tours, native plant sales, and talks by notable native plant proponents including Russell Link and Art Kruckeberg. For more information and a list of events, click here.

Backyard Habitat Workshop in April

2007-03-06T13:47:00.000-08:00

The first Backyard Habitat Workshop in 2007 will be:

Monday, April 9, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Monday, April 16, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 22, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

For more information on this three-part workshop, please visit the zoo's Backyard Habitat workshops page or email jenny.mears@zoo.org

Backyard Habitat On-line Discussion Group!

2007-02-27T12:41:00.000-08:00

Got a question about a specific plant? Discover a great new gardening resource? Click here to access the Backyard Habitat online discussion group. This group is intended for past participants of Woodland Park Zoo's Backyard Habitat workshops to share success stories, ask questions, and share resources. Most likely, participants will be able to answer each other's questions, but when needed, the moderator will forward difficult questions to our Backyard Habitat experts for answers. Please enjoy this new resource!