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
Friday, September 11, 2009
Monday, August 31, 2009
Annual Fall Fecal Fest--Drawing for Zoo Doo and Bedspread sale!
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.
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/.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Sept. 11-13: Puget Sound Bird Fest!
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.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
New Northwest Zoo & Aquarium Alliance Resources!
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!
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!
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.
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.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Follow Julie's Backyard Journal!
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!
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!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
June 18th: Be Garden Wise: Linking Horticulture and Plant Invasions
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
