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/
Monday, September 27, 2010
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Save the Date: Duwamish Alive on October 9th!
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!
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!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
FREE Fall Savvy Gardener classes!
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!
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!
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Living Downstream: Polluted Runoff Neighborhood Tours from People for Puget Sound
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.
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.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Fall Backyard Habitat Class Series at Woodland Park Zoo!
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.
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.
Monday, July 26, 2010
July 29th: Duwamish River Boat Tour
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
$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
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
May 15: Create An Urban Oasis: Naturescaping A Wildlife-Friendly Garden
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.
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.
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