local environmental volunteering and events through Oct |

Every Tuesday: 9am-3pm – South Sound Prairie Restoration Work Party

Contact: Ashley Smithers at 503.451.0824 or asmithers@tnc.org.

Every Wednesday:

8-10am – Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Bird Walk

Meet at Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center Overlook at 8am, and join Phil Kelley from Black Hills Audubon Society for the entire walk or for as long as you wish.

3-6 pm – GRub Farm Drop-in Volunteer Session

(GRuB Farm; 2016 Elliott Ave NW; Olympia 98502) Volunteers support the GRuB Farm in weeding, transplanting, seeding and miscellaneous maintenance of the farm. We ask that anyone under 14 be accompanied by an adult. Visit http://www.goodgrub.org/volunteer ahead of time so you can fill out a volunteer interest form that you can bring with you.

6 pm – Budd Inlet Shoreline Walks

Want to know more about the downtown shoreline? Looking for something free to do with out-of-town guests? Take a leisurely walk in downtown Olympia with Stream Team’s Sound Stewards to learn about Budd Inlet, the Deschutes River and Capitol Lake. Learn about the ecology, geology and wildlife of Budd Inlet. Also learn some of the story of Olympia: why Budd Inlet needed to be dredged; why Capital Lake was created; where the original shoreline was; what’s happening now, and what’s in store for the future; and what your role is in helping Budd Inlet. Walks will be offered from May 28 through September 4 (unless it is pouring rain!). Walks will include Percival Landing boardwalk and part of Capitol Lake and Heritage Park—about one mile of flat walking terrain. The guided walk takes about 90 minutes. Just show up, or call/e-mail to make a reservation. Meet at Percival Landing next to 4th Avenue Bridge (by Bay View Thriftway)—look for the “Meet Here” sign. Please do not park in the Bayview Thriftway parking lot; there is plenty of free on-street parking nearby. Arrive 5-10 minutes early; walks start punctually. Special accommodations can be made for groups wanting a different time and/or date. Contact Patricia Pyle for information or reservations at ppyle@ci.olympia.wa.us or 360-570-5841.

Every Thursday: 10 am-3pm – Olympia Farmers’ Market

(700 Capitol Way N; Olympia)

Every Friday: 10 am-3pm – Olympia Farmers’ Market

(700 Capitol Way N; Olympia)

Every Saturday:

9 am – 2 pm – West Olympia Farmers Market (Garfield Elementary bus loop, between the school and adjacent Woodruff Park, on Thomas Street.)

10 am-3pm – Olympia Farmers’ Market (700 Capitol Way N; Olympia)

10 am – Budd Inlet Shoreline Walks (see details on Wednesday, above)

Every Sunday:

10 am-3pm – Olympia Farmers’ Market (700 Capitol Way N; Olympia)

10 am – Budd Inlet Shoreline Walks (see details on Wednesday, above)

1-4 pm – GRub Farm Drop-in Volunteer Session

Sign Up to be a Salmon Steward!

Which salmon returns to Washington rivers and creeks on odd numbered years? Which male salmon can change its colors to mimic a female? Which salmon comes through Budd Inlet on its way back to the Deschutes River? Learn the answers to these questions and lots more information about the iconic Pacific Northwest Salmon by signing up to be a Salmon Steward! No “fish” experience is necessary. Requirements: attend the trainings, study, be enthusiastic, and volunteer on weekends or weekday evenings at least 8 hours (four 2 hour shifts) at 5th Avenue Bridge (August – September), Tumwater Falls Park (September – early October) and/or McLane Creek Nature Trail (November and early December). The training focuses on the Deschutes River Chinook and McLane Creek chum life cycles and watersheds to prepare the stewards to answer questions from the public at 3 popular viewing locations.

Training Schedule: Basic Training Part 1 (Tuesday, August 9 from 6:30 to 9:00 PM; Olympia City Hall, Room 207); Basic Training Part 2 (Tuesday, August 16 from 6:30 to 9:00 PM; Olympia City Hall, Room 207); 5th Avenue Dam Site Visit (Saturday, August 20 from 10:00 AM to Noon); Tumwater Falls Park Site Visit (Saturday, September 17 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM); McLane Creek Nature Trail (TBA in November). For more information and/or to sign up contact Patricia Pyle at 360-570-5841 or ppyle@ci.olympia.wa.us.

Nisqually Reach Center Summer Camp

Nisqually Reach Center’s summer camp program provides hands-on activities to introduce campers between the ages of 7 and 14 to fundamental biological & ecological principles in a fun, science-based curriculum. For more information, go to www.nisquallyestuary.org/nrnc2011summercamp.html.

Volunteer with South Sound Estuary Association (SSEA)

Volunteers are needed to help SSEA do community outreach at the following events:

• August 27: Sand in the City

• September 24: Nisqually Watershed Festival

• October 2: Cruising for the Sound

To volunteer, contact Melanie at melanie@sseacenter.org.

Be a Purple Martin Nest Box Monitor!

Stream Team volunteers help monitor the bird’s nest boxes weekly for nesting activity and fledgling success. Once the Purple Martins have left for the season, volunteers also help clean the nest boxes, readying them once again for occupation in the spring. Monitoring is easy and takes only one hour per week. If you are interested in observing these amazing swallows, contact Michelle Stevie at mstevie@ci.olympia.wa.us or 360-753-8336 for more information or to sign-up. Training will be provided. Call soon and begin monitoring!

Volunteers Needed to Staff a Stream Team Table at Local Beaches this Summer!

Do you enjoy talking to people? Do you want to help others learn about Stream Team or what they can do to help protect our streams and Puget Sound? Volunteer to staff a table at one of three local beaches this summer. South Sound Estuary Association is inviting local organizations to share information at Tolmie State Park, Burfoot County Park and Frye Cove County Park as part of their summer Beach Naturalist Program—which runs on Saturdays and Sundays from June through August. Stream Team will supply you with all you will need, such as hand-out materials, a Stream Team shirt (yours to keep), table and chair. This is an excellent way to reach out to our local community to help them learn how they can get involved in protecting and restoring our precious water resources! For more information, contact Ann Marie at 360-754-3355 ext. 6857 or email: finanam@co.thurston.wa.us

Need a Stormwater Steward?

The Native Plant Salvage Project and Thurston Co. Stormwater Utility/Stream Team new “Stormwater Stewards” program is currently training volunteers—and in late summer/early fall they will have a practicum period, during which they will provide guidance to residents who want to manage stormwater on-site via rain gardens and other low-impact techniques. If you want to be placed on a list to receive services, contact erica@nativeplantsalvage.org.

New Native Learning Landscape at Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge

The Native Plant Salvage Project, South Sound GREEN, Nisqually River Education Project, Chehalis Basin Education Consortium, and the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge recently installed a new native learning landscape outside the education center at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. Check it out the next time you visit Nisqually NWR!

Wednesday July 27

7:30 am – 2:30pm – Fundraiser for Community Food Summit this October

(New Moon Café: 113 4th Ave. W, in downtown Olympia) New Moon Cafe will be donating 100% of the proceeds from this month’s “Pay What You Can” breakfast to Sustainable South Sound, to help fund Come to the Table – A Community Food Summit taking place this October. The food summit is being planned to bring our community together to celebrate, network and develop an action plan for a safe, local and sustainable food system for all. Its vision is to create a community where no child comes to school hungry; where everyone has access to safe, local, sustainably grown food, with thriving rural farms and a rich patchwork of vibrant urban gardens and markets;.a prosperous local food economy that provides entrepreneurial opportunities and good jobs that can’t be outsourced; where the community recognizes the realities of climate change and peak oil, and has taken charge of its food future. For more information on the Food Summit, check out the website for Sustainable South Sound: http://www.sustainsouthsound.org.

10 am – 12 noon – People For Puget Sound Plant Survival Monitoring

(William Cannon Trail, Olympia) RSVP to cdonehower@pugetsound.org. Familiarity with common native plants preferred.

7:00 – 8:00 pm – Interconnected Planet and People

(Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center) Speaker: Spencer Ward, Ph.D.—Marine Ecologist at Stanford University’s Woods Institute for the Environment, Marine Natural Capital Project. The lecture is free, and the Refuge entrance fee is waived for those attending the lecture. Attendance is limited to seats available: seating begins at 6pm on a first-come basis, and you must be present to obtain a seat. For more information, contact the Refuge at (360) 753-9467. Directions: take I-5 exit 114, and follow signs to the Refuge.

Thursday, July 28

5:45 pm – Boston Harbor Beach Seine

(Boston Harbor Marina; 312 – 73rd Avenue NE; Olympia 98506) The nearshore environment is filled with fish that like the safety and security of shallow waters to rest and feed. These fish are critical to the marine food web. Join Squaxin Island Tribe biologist, Scott Steltzner for a beach seine at Boston Harbor. Meet at Boston Harbor Marina. The seining location is a short walk away. Participants will help unroll a seining net in the nearshore area and pull the net to shore to see what was caught. Scott will identify and talk about the fish and other marine creatures that are found in the net. To register or for more information, contact Michelle Stevie at mstevie@ci.olympia.wa.us or (360)753-8336.

7:30 – 8:45 pm – Backpacking Washington with Craig Romano

(Olympia Timberland Library ) Interested in learning about excellent backpacking destinations around the state? From the wild Olympic Peninsula to the sun-kissed Blue Mountains, Craig Romano has lined up 70 trips ranging from 16 to 50 miles to the most outstanding backcountry destinations in Washington. Romano is an award-winning Washington Outdoors Guidebook Author. He has thoroughly hiked the Evergreen State logging over 14,000 miles from Willapa Bay to the Salmo-Priest Wilderness.

Saturday, July 30

9 – 11 am – People For Puget Sound Plant Survival Monitoring

(Titlow Park, Tacoma) RSVP to cdonehower@pugetsound.org. Familiarity with common native plants preferred.

9:00 am – 2:00 pm – Ashford Knotweed Bending Party

(Ashford Fire Station, 29815 SR 706 E, Ashford) Help protect beautiful Nisqually watershed. Knotweed is an aggressive, non-native plant. Learn how to identify and remove this tenacious weed. Volunteers will help in control by bending canes forcing the plant to expend extra energy in a second growing. Second growth provides greater leaf surface for herbicide application. Treatment with herbicide is scheduled in 4 to 5 weeks. Nisqually Knotweed project now in its third year. With your help we are making a difference. Sponsoring Organization: Pierce Conservation District. Contact: Renee Mitchell, reneem@piercecountycd.org or (253) 845-9770.

10 am – 12 noon – It’s in Your Nature: Exploring the Wild

(Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge) From bitterns to butterflies, chickadees to crabapples, the Refuge is home to many types of wildlife. Join naturalist Art Pavey, on this nature walk that is sure to teach you something new about the creatures of the Refuge. The program is free—although you do need to pay the Refuge entrance fee. For more information, contact the Refuge at (360) 753-9467. Directions: take I-5 exit 114, and follow signs to the Refuge.

10 am – noon – Advanced Organic Gardening: Successful Container Growing and Effective Garden Maintenance Techniques

(Black Lake Organic: 4711 Black Lake Blvd SW; Olympia 98512) The class is taught by Gary Kline, owner of Black Lake Organic Nursery, and is part of a year-round course designed to convey an in-depth understanding of soils and gardening principles and practices. The class is limited to 20 students, and registration is required. Pre-register by email to gary@blacklakeorganic.net or call Gary at (360) 786-0537. Please arrive by 9:30 am to register so we can begin instruction promptly. The class costs $20, paid at the door. Detailed class outlines will be furnished and hand-out materials provided at the classes.

11 am – 2 pm — Beach Naturalist Program at Frye Cove Park

Come explore low tides with trained beach naturalists. Beach Naturalists can: help you find where beach animals live; teach you how to keep the beach healthy; answer questions about the beach and the animals that live there. Meet us on the beach! For more information, go to http://sseacenter.wordpress.com/events-programs/beachnaturalistsummerschedule.

11 am – noon – Building a Raised Garden Bed demonstration class

(West Olympia Farmers Market: Garfield Elementary bus loop, between the school and adjacent Woodruff Park, on Thomas Street) Free! Materials will be provided. www.wolyfarmersmarket.org

Sunday, July 31

10am – 12 noon – Nature Up Close; Introduction to Macro Nature Photography

(Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge) Dew crops on flower petals; the eyes of insects. These details represent the oft overlooked true visual poetry of nature. Join refuge photographer John Whitehead for discussion, demonstration, and practice of up close nature photography. Meet in the Visitor Center. The program is free—although you do need to pay the Refuge entrance fee. For more information, contact the Refuge at (360) 753-9467. Directions: take I-5 exit 114, and follow signs to the Refuge.

11 am – 2pm — Beach Naturalist Program at Burfoot Park & Tolmie State Park

Tuesday August 2

7:00 pm – South Sound Fruit Society monthly meeting

(Evergreen State College Organic Farmhouse; 2712 Lewis Rd; Olympia) If you enjoy growing fruit, berries and nuts—or want to learn about them—we have much to share. All are welcome. We have monthly speakers, field trips, and garden and orchard tours. For more information, email ssfsoly@hotmail.com. Directions: take HWY 101 to the Evergreen College exit; take first left (17th Ave); turn right on Simmons Rd; turn right on Lewis Rd.; turn right at mailbox—the farmhouse is up little hill behind the farm buildings. (1st Tuesday of each month)

Wednesday August 3

7:00 – 8:00 pm – From Field to Studio: Experience Local Birds

(Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center) Speaker: Bart Rulon—wildlife artist, author, scientific illustrator. The lecture is free, and the Refuge entrance fee is waived for those attending the lecture. Attendance is limited to seats available: seating begins at 6pm on a first-come basis, and you must be present to obtain a seat. For more information, contact the Refuge at (360) 753-9467. Directions: take I-5 exit 114, and follow signs to the Refuge.

Saturday, August 6

10am – 12 noon – The Photographer’s Eye: The Basics of Outdoor Photography

(Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge) Nature photography offers individuals the opportunity to develop their finer naturalist instincts and vision, and the beginner’s eye is often the eye that sees most clearly. With this in mind, experienced refuge photographer John Whitehead offers guidance in technique and composition, with emphasis on learning to utilizing manual settings in order to more completely capture the image you want to capture. Meet at the Visitor Center. The program is free—although you do need to pay the Refuge entrance fee. For more information, contact the Refuge at (360) 753-9467. Directions: take I-5 exit 114, and follow signs to the Refuge.

10 am – 2 pm – Hiking Exploration at Gold Creek

Join Cascade Land Conservancy for a hike at Gold Creek, one of CLC’s conserved lands. Learn about the conservation work happening along I-90, and enjoy the scenery. This is also a chance to learn about becoming a land steward, and get a first hand view of the lands CLC works to conserve. Be prepared for weather, and wear sturdy hiking shoes. To register, go to https://dnbweb1.blackbaud.com/OPXREPHIL/EventDetail.asp?cguid=6374B924-D0D5-4655-BC98-66623676DF2C&eid=37121&sid=A83F196C%2D338A%2D478B%2D89CE%2D5BDE2D20A135. For more information, contact Emiko Blalock at emikob@cascadeland.org or at 206-905-6912.

11 am – noon – How to Build a Chicken Tractor demonstration class

(West Olympia Farmers Market: Garfield Elementary bus loop, between the school and adjacent Woodruff Park, on Thomas Street) Free! Materials will be provided. www.wolyfarmersmarket.org

Sunday August 7

9:00am – 12 noon – Birds of a Feather: Take Flight on a Bird Walk

(Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge) Experience the thrill of seeing a Peregrine Falcon (the world’s fastest bird) or of hearing a woodpecker pecking away (up to 20 pecks per second)! Join birder Matt Pike, an expert who knows the ins and outs of birding at Nisqually, for a bird walk full of the sights and sounds of one of the refuge’s largest treasures (the birds!) Meet in the Visitor Center. The program is free—although you do need to pay the Refuge entrance fee. For more information, contact the Refuge at (360) 753-9467. Directions: take I-5 exit 114, and follow signs to the Refuge.

3-6 pm – Beginning Canning: Summer Fruit

(GRuB Farmhouse; 2016 Elliott Ave NW, Olympia 98502) Come learn the basics of putting fruit by. We will take the surpluses of summer and make jewels for the cold dark days of winter. Jams, sauces, and whole fruit will be covered. This class will be featuring local and regional organic produce. There is a $5 non-refundable registration fee per class/per person, and pre-registration is required. You can register online at www.OlympiaFood.coop, or in-person between 11 am and 6 pm at either Olympia Food Co-op store (3111 Pacific Ave SE, Olympia 98501; or 921 Rogers St NW, Olympia 98502).

Tuesday, August 9

7:00 pm – Olympia Science Café:The Fukushima Nuclear Reactor Accident and its Effect on Washington State

(Batdorf & Bronson Coffee House, 516 Capitol Way; Olympia) Al Conklin (Lead Trainer and Health Physicist at the Washington State Department of Health, Office of Radiation Protection) will discuss how the accident occurred, why it was so bad, and the implications for Washington State—including how much radioactivity reached us, how the news media and public reacted, and how public concerns were addressed.

Wednesday August 10

7:00 – 8:00 pm – Pacific Feast: Food from Field to Forest

(Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center) Speaker: Jennifer Hahn—author, Professor, Fairhaven College, Western Washington University. The lecture is free, and the Refuge entrance fee is waived for those attending the lecture. Attendance is limited to seats available: seating begins at 6pm on a first-come basis, and you must be present to obtain a seat. For more information, contact the Refuge at (360) 753-9467. Directions: take I-5 exit 114, and follow signs to the Refuge.

Saturday August 13

7-9 am – People For Puget Sound Waterbird Survey

(Titlow Park, Tacoma) Identify and count waterbirds at Titlow Lagoon and beach. No experience necessary. For more information and directions, contact Christina Donehower at cdonehower@pugetsound.org.

9:00am – 12 noon – Birds of a Feather: Take Flight on a Bird Walk

(Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge) Experience the thrill of seeing a Peregrine Falcon (the world’s fastest bird) or of hearing a woodpecker pecking away (up to 20 pecks per second)! Join birder Eric Slagle, an expert who knows the ins and outs of birding at Nisqually, for a bird walk full of the sights and sounds of one of the refuge’s largest treasures (the birds!) Meet in the Visitor Center. The program is free—although you do need to pay the Refuge entrance fee. For more information, contact the Refuge at (360) 753-9467. Directions: take I-5 exit 114, and follow signs to the Refuge.

9 am – 12 pm – Puget Creek restoration work

(Tacoma) Join Puget Creek Restoration Society for their second-Saturday monthly work party. For more information, contact Scott Hansen at pugetcreek@yahoo.com or (253) 779-8890.

10 am – 1 pm – Explore Green Spaces in Tacoma

Join Cascade Land Conservancy for a mid-morning meet-up at one of our Community Gardens / Green Spaces in Tacoma. Learn about the many projects happening in Tacoma and how to help make your city more livable. After the meet and greet, you have the opportunity to choose a bicycle route to tour more sites that are helping make Tacoma green. (Biking is optional. We invite everyone who is interested in learning more about the green spaces in Tacoma to join us!) We will end the event at a lunch spot to debrief. To register, go to https://dnbweb1.blackbaud.com/OPXREPHIL/EventDetail.asp?cguid=6374B924-D0D5-4655-BC98-66623676DF2C&eid=37123&sid=A7EEAD38%2D9257%2D423E%2DA5D8%2D23FFEE3A544C. For more information, contact Emiko Blalock at emikob@cascadeland.org or at 206-905-6912.

11:30 am – 2:30 pm — Beach Naturalist Program at Priest Point Park

6:30 – 8:30 pm – Japanese Cooking Basics: Makizushi & Onigiri

(GRuB Farmhouse; 2016 Elliott Ave NW, Olympia 98502) Learn how to cook sushi rice flavored with enough vinegar to make it tasty, then prepare them for nori rolls (makizushi) with fresh summer vegetables, ume (Japanese plum), and other ingredients. We will also make Onigiri, Japanese rice balls filled with savory goodness. Come learn to make these popular additions to the Japanese obento for your own lunchbox. Yum! There is a $5 non-refundable registration fee per class/per person, and pre-registration is required. You can register online at www.OlympiaFood.coop, or in-person between 11 am and 6 pm at either Olympia Food Co-op store (3111 Pacific Ave SE, Olympia 98501; or 921 Rogers St NW, Olympia 98502).

Sunday August 14

11:30 am – 2:30 pm — Beach Naturalist Program at Burfoot Park & Tolmie State Park

4-6pm – Making Balanced Meals

(GRuB Farmhouse; 2016 Elliott Ave NW, Olympia 98502) Come learn how to make balanced meals to keep your blood sugar stable, energy up and excess weight off. We’ll focus on balancing healthy fats, proteins, starches and vegetables to optimize nutrition at every sitting. There is a $5 non-refundable registration fee per class/per person, and pre-registration is required. You can register online at www.OlympiaFood.coop, or in-person between 11 am and 6 pm at either Olympia Food Co-op store (3111 Pacific Ave SE, Olympia 98501; or 921 Rogers St NW, Olympia 98502).

Wednesday August 17

7:00 – 8:00 pm – Monitoring the Nisqually Delta: What’s Happening!

(Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center) Speaker: Kelley Turner—Restoration Biologist U.S. Geological Survey Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. The lecture is free, and the Refuge entrance fee is waived for those attending the lecture. Attendance is limited to seats available: seating begins at 6pm on a first-come basis, and you must be present to obtain a seat. For more information, contact the Refuge at (360) 753-9467. Directions: take I-5 exit 114, and follow signs to the Refuge.

Saturday, August 20

(Bicycle) Tour of Urban Farms & Gardens

See where some of your food comes from and meet the people who grow it! Among the local farms and gardens included on the tour are Sunbreak Farm, Calliope Farm, Common Ground Farm, the Kiwanis Food Bank Garden on the Capitol Campus, Wendel Berry Community Garden, and Piece by Piece Farm. Sponsored by Olympia Food Co-op, South of the Sound Community Farm Land Trust, Thurston County Food Bank, and Focus on Food—South Puget Sound. For more information or to register, email hallilw@gmail.com.

9 am – 1 pm – Titlow Lagoon Restoration Work Day

(Titlow Park, Tacoma) Removing invasive vegetation and sheet-mulching to protect native plantings. For more information and directions, contact Christina Donehower at cdonehower@pugetsound.org.

10am – 1pm – How to Keep a Wave on the Sand: Capturing the Outdoors in Photographs

(Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge) Come learn some basic and professional outdoor photography techniques and tips from writer and national photographer Greg Farley. Learn to take your camera off the “automatic” settings and onto the “manual” settings in just a couple of hours. Workshop participants will spend time inside learning camera operations, then head outside to apply what they’ve learned. Never again let nature’s beauty escape your lens! Bring your camera (film, DSLR, or point and shoot), extra batteries and a sense of adventure! Meet in the Visitor Center auditorium. The program is free—although you do need to pay the Refuge entrance fee. For more information, contact the Refuge at (360) 753-9467. Directions: take I-5 exit 114, and follow signs to the Refuge.

10 am – 2 pm – WSU Lewis County Master Gardeners Plant Clinic

(Chehalis Timberland Library) Bring your problem plants, your questions, and all of your gardening dilemmas to the experts. The Lewis County Master Gardeners will be on hand on the third Saturday of the month through August to help you make your garden successful.

Sunday, August 21

9:00am – 12 noon – Birds of a Feather: Take Flight on a Bird Walk

3-6 pm – 4th Annual Kennedy Creek Salmon Splash Fundraiser

(Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail, off Old Olympic Highway) Join the South Puget Sound Salmon Enhancement Group for its 4^th Annual Kennedy Creek Salmon Splash! There will be live music, and great food. Tickets are $35 per person, or 4 tickets for $120, which includes appetizers, shellfish, beverages, and dessert. All Splash proceeds directly support the Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail Education Program, and every $35 raised at Splash will support 10 student visitors! Parking will be at the Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail Lot. RSVP by August 18 by mailing a check (payable to SPSSEG) to: SPSSEG; 6700 Martin Way East, Suite 112; Olympia, WA 98516—or call SPSSEG at 360-412-0808. For more information, contact Stephanie Bishop at stephanie@masoncd.org or at 360.427-9436 x 22.

Tuesday, August 23

10am – 11:30am – Nature Detectives: Looking for Clues to Animal Activities

(Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge) Did you know that birds, animals and other wildlife leave all kinds of clues around the Refuge? Join Kay Townsend and i’ina van Lawick in a hunt for nests, birdsongs, tracks and other signs of animal activity. This trail walk is for children ages 6-12 with an accompanying adult. The program is free—although you do need to pay the Refuge entrance fee. For more information, contact the Refuge at (360) 753-9467. Directions: take I-5 exit 114, and follow signs to the Refuge.

Wednesday August 24

7:00 – 8:00 pm – Understanding Grizzly Bears

(Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center) Speaker: Sharon Negri—bears ecologist; Co-Director, Grizzly Bear Outreach Project; Insight Wildlife Management. The lecture is free, and the Refuge entrance fee is waived for those attending the lecture. Attendance is limited to seats available: seating begins at 6pm on a first-come basis, and you must be present to obtain a seat. For more information, contact the Refuge at (360) 753-9467. Directions: take I-5 exit 114, and follow signs to the Refuge.

Saturday, August 27

Van Tour of Rural Farms

See where some of your food comes from and meet the people who grow it! Included on the tour are Kirsop Farm, Left Foot Organics, Lincoln Creek Farm, and Helsing Junction Farm. Sponsored by Olympia Food Co-op, South of the Sound Community Farm Land Trust, Thurston County Food Bank, and Focus on Food—South Puget Sound. For more information or to register, email hallilw@gmail.com.

8am – 10am – Birds of a Feather: It’s Nesting Time!

(Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge) Many species of birds, from the tiny Rufous Hummingbird to the majestic Bald Eagle nest on the Refuge. Join expert birder Phil Kelley, who knows the ins and outs of birding Nisqually, for a bird walk and see how many nesters you can find. Meet in the Visitor Center. The program is free—although you do need to pay the Refuge entrance fee. For more information, contact the Refuge at (360) 753-9467. Directions: take I-5 exit 114, and follow signs to the Refuge.

10 am – 1 pm — Beach Naturalist Program at Frye Cove Park

10am – 12 noon – It’s in Your Nature: Exploring the Wild

11 am – noon – Insulated Window Covers demonstration class

(West Olympia Farmers Market: Garfield Elementary bus loop, between the school and adjacent Woodruff Park, on Thomas Street) Free! Materials will be provided. www.wolyfarmersmarket.org

Monday, August 29

10:30 am – 1:30 pm — Beach Naturalist Program at Burfoot Park & Tolmie State Park

Saturday, September 3

8:30am – 12 noon – Birds of a Feather: Take Flight on a Bird Walk

(Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge) Experience the thrill of seeing a Peregrine Falcon (the world’s fastest bird) or of hearing a woodpecker pecking away (up to 20 pecks per second)! Join birder Dave Richardson, an expert who knows the ins and outs of birding at Nisqually, for a bird walk full of the sights and sounds of one of the refuge’s largest treasures (the birds!) Meet in the Visitor Center. The program is free—although you do need to pay the Refuge entrance fee. For more information, contact the Refuge at (360) 753-9467. Directions: take I-5 exit 114, and follow signs to the Refuge.

Sunday, September 4

9:00am – 12 noon – Birds of a Feather: Take Flight on a Bird Walk

Tuesday September 6

7:00 pm – South Sound Fruit Society monthly meeting

Saturday, September 10

10am – 12 noon – Nature Up Close; Introduction to Macro Nature Photography

Sunday, September 11

1pm – 2:30pm – The Nisqually and Medicine Creek: Where Nature, Culture, and History Converge

(Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge) Lynn Corliss leads you down history’s winding path on this historic tour. Learn about the events surrounding the signing of the Medicine Creek Treaty; explore how the Nisqually people came to the Nisqually delta and how their lives changed with the settlement of Europeans. This walk will also focus on the significant events that surrounded the signing of the Medicine Creek Treaty. Discover important things about the people who enjoyed this land before you did. Meet in the Visitor Center. The program is free—although you do need to pay the Refuge entrance fee. For more information, contact the Refuge at (360) 753-9467. Directions: take I-5 exit 114, and follow signs to the Refuge.

Saturday, September 17

10am – 1pm – How to Keep a Wave on the Sand; Capturing the Outdoors in Photographs

Sunday, September 18

Noon – 4 pm – Henderson Inlet Watershed Tour

Join Stream Team to learn more about Woodland Creek and the Henderson Inlet Watershed. The tour will begin at Lacey City Hall and feature stops at a variety of interesting features that make up this highly varied watershed. The tour is free, but registration is required. More information on this tour will be posted on www.streamteam.info as this event is more fully developed. To register, contact Chris Maun at maunc@co.thurston.wa.us or 360-754-3355 ext.6377.

Saturday, September 24

9:30 am – 5:00 pm – Birding Tour in Grays Harbor

Join Cascade Land Conservancy for an afternoon of birding, and learn more about the estuary conservation work along the Pacific Coast. Please bring your binoculars, sturdy shoes and dress for the weather. Space is limited to 15 for this event, please register early or contact Emiko Blalock if you have questions, 206-905-6912. To register, go to https://dnbweb1.blackbaud.com/OPXREPHIL/EventDetail.asp?cguid=6374B924-D0D5-4655-BC98-66623676DF2C&eid=37210&sid=581D9FC0%2DA67E%2D4859%2D9A64%2DDC33AFAD5327.

10am – 4pm – Nisqually Watershed Festival

(Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge) Tours and guided walks throughout the day, as well as music, live animal presentations, educational exhibits, a marine touch tank and Fin, the Wild Olympic Salmon! Join us in a celebration of the cultural, economic and natural resources of the Nisqually Watershed! For more information, contact the Refuge at (360) 753-9467. Directions: take I-5 exit 114, and follow signs to the Refuge.

October 2

2-5 pm – Cruising for the Sound

Join South Sound Estuary Association (SSEA) for a three-hour educational exploration of South Puget Sound, on board the luxury yacht, My Girl. The program, “Early Encounters on Puget Sound,” will be presented by Les Eldridge, local author and maritime history nut. All proceeds benefit SSEA’s mission to “establish and maintain an interactive interpretive marine center in Olympia. For more information, go to http://sseacenter.wordpress.com/events-programs/cruising-for-the-sound.

October 8

10:00 am – 12:30 pm – Guided Mushroom Walk

The Maxine G. Morse Nature Conservancy is a special place, currently being restored and taken care of. It has many things to offer, including plant identification and mushrooms! Join Cascade Land Conservancy for a tour of the property, and learn about mushrooms that grow in the Northwest. Please note: this will not be a foraging event—conserved properties are protected and therefore, no mushrooms will be taken from the property. To register, go to https://dnbweb1.blackbaud.com/OPXREPHIL/EventDetail.asp?cguid=6374B924-D0D5-4655-BC98-66623676DF2C&eid=37211&sid=6938DBB6%2D5750%2D4144%2DAF46%2D0190DF1DF588. For more information, contact Emiko Blalock at emikob@cascadeland.org or at 206-905-6912.

October 14th & 15^th: Coming to the Table – A Community Food Summit

October 14th will feature a giant community pot-luck on the streets of downtown Olympia, and environmental and agricultural expo, and a presentation by Mark Winnie – author of Guerrilla Gardeners, and Smart Cookin’ Mamas: Fighting Back in an Age of Industrial Agriculture and Closing the Food Gap – at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts

October 15th will be a ‘roll up your sleeves’ conference at the Thurston County Fairgrounds where we will learn about our current local food system, clarify our vision for the future, and start building the roadmap to get us from today to tomorrow.

The food summit will be the capstone of a series of events throughout the fall and summer that is called Focus on Food. Events leading up to the summit will include tours of local farms and gardens, events and programs at local Timberland Regional Libraries, discussion groups, and other opportunities to learn about the food system, our local food economy, and options for a more sustainable food future. Visit www.sustainsouthsound.org to register and make sure you have a seat at the table as we plan our food future. Email Halli Winstead at hallilw@gmail.com if you have questions!

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