See Below
RECURRING EVENTS
Tuesdays:
9 am – 3 pm: South Sound Prairie Restoration Work Party.
(See specific dates below for details.)
4 – 7 pm: West Olympia Farmers’ Market
(Parking lot of Gloria Dei Church: 1515 Harrison Ave NW—at Harrison & Thomas) Produce, baked goods, eggs, flowers, veggie starts, crafts, tool sharpening and more! Farmers, artisans and producers are from Thurston County, and most work and live on the west side of Olympia. Most produce small-scale, and many only sell to the public through the West Olympia Farmers’ Market.
7 pm: Olympia City Council (Olympia City Council Chambers: 601 4th Ave E)
Go to http://olympia.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx for more information.
7 pm (1st & 3rd Tuesday): Tumwater City Council (Tumwater City Hall: 555 Israel Rd. SW) Go to www.ci.tumwater.wa.us/ccagendasTOC.htm for more information.
Wednesdays:
8-11 am: Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Bird Walk (Meet at Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center Overlook at 8 am, and join Phil Kelley from Black Hills Audubon Society for as long as you wish.)
Thursdays:
10 am – 3 pm – Olympia Farmers’ Market
(700 N Capitol Way; Olympia 98501) Fresh organic produce; Washington-grown fruits & meats; fresh fish, clams & oysters; dried herbs; fresh-cut flowers; breads; desserts; eggs; cheeses; jams & jellies; great food; quality locally grown plants & flowers; lots of fun; art and crafts from local artisans; live entertainment. For more information, go to http://olympiafarmersmarket.com.
7 pm (2nd & 4th Thursday): Lacey City Council (Lacey City Hall: 420 College Street) Go to www.ci.lacey.wa.us/city-government/city-council/city-council-2/city-council-meetings/council-meetings for more information.
Fridays
10 am – 3 pm – Olympia Farmers’ Market
Saturdays
10 am – 3 pm – Olympia Farmers’ Market
Sundays
10 am – 3 pm – Olympia Farmers’ Market
Salmon Stewards Training begins August 15
Do you enjoy talking to people and love to be outdoors? Then salmon stewards is perfect for you! You will have the opportunity to talk to visitors to the rivers about the salmon that are coming back to spawn. Classroom trainings are at Olympia City Hall + site visits at 5th Ave Bridge/ dam and Tumwater Falls Park. For program information go to www.streamteam.info/getinvolved/educate/salmon.
Monday, August 5
9:00am – 2:00 pm – Barbed Wire Fencing Removal in the Ohop Valley
Need a break from planting trees and pulling weeds? We will be removing over 2 miles of barbed wire fencing from a protected Nisqually Land Trust property in the Ohop Valley, near Eatonville. Volunteers will use hand tools to pry barbed wire from fence posts and will help prepare the wire for recycling. This is a big first step in the next phase of restoration efforts in the Ohop Valley. Bring a brown bag lunch for a mid-day picnic and become a part of the valley’s amazing transformation. Due to the potential hazards inherent to working with barbed wire, this event is NOT recommended for small children. To register and get directions, go to https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?llr=jzh7gggab&oeidk=a07e7vxdntt12c31498. For more information, contact Candi Tobin with the Nisqually Land Trust at ctobin@nisquallylandtrust.org or at 360-489-3400 x102.
11:30 am – 12:30 pm – Marine Creature Monday at Boston Harbor Marina!
(Olympia) Stream Team will pair with local divers and retired volunteer marine biologists David Jamison and Joe Hiss. Divers will demonstrate their equipment prior to diving to the bottom of the Sound to collect marine creatures for our viewing. Biologists will talk about each species found and their habitat needs and what is required to keep Puget Sound clean and healthy. All the marine creatures are kept in seawater and gently released back into Puget Sound. Life vests required for age 6 and under; please bring your own or the marina has a few loaners. This is one of our most popular, all ages event. Online registration is necessary to keep the group size small: go to http://streamteam.info/getinvolved/calendar. For more information contact Michelle Stevie at mstevie@ci.olympia.wa.us or 360-753-8336.
1:00 – 2:00 pm – Marine Creature Monday at Boston Harbor Marina!
See description for event earlier today.
Tuesday, August 6
9 am – 3 pm – South Sound Prairie Restoration Work Party
We will be dividing our time between Glacial Heritage Preserve and Shotwell’s Landing Nursery: if you’re interested in pulling broom, head on over to Glacial; for weeding and seeding, Shotwell’s is the place. As always, please dress for the weather and bring a box lunch, gloves and plenty of water. Directions to Shotwell’s Landing Nursery (14447 Littlerock Road SW; Rochester 98579): take I-5 to exit 95 (Littlerock exit), ~10 miles south of Olympia; go west on Maytown Rd SW to the only stop sign in Littlerock (by the elementary school); continue straight for ~100 feet, and turn left onto Littlerock Road; go 1.7 miles south on Littlerock Road—Shotwell’s Nursery will be on your right. Directions to Glacial Heritage: take I-5 to exit 95 (the Littlerock exit), ~10 miles south of Olympia; go west into Littlerock; continue going straight through Littlerock—do not take any turns, and follow the road (128th Ave) until it ends at Mima Road/Waddell Creek Road; turn south (left) on Mima Road and go 2.7 miles; take a left onto a gravel road with sign for Glacial Heritage—there will be a tractor sign shortly before the turn. Please obey the 15 mph speed limit, as there are often dogs and small children active nearby. Follow the road through the gate; take the first right, and then stay to the left to get to the house. For more information, contact ssvolunteers@cnlm.org. Sponsored by the Center for Natural Lands Management.
9:00am – 2:00 pm – Barbed Wire Fencing Removal in the Ohop Valley
Need a break from planting trees and pulling weeds? We will be removing over 2 miles of barbed wire fencing from a protected Nisqually Land Trust property in the Ohop Valley, near Eatonville. Volunteers will use hand tools to pry barbed wire from fence posts and will help prepare the wire for recycling. This is a big first step in the next phase of restoration efforts in the Ohop Valley. Bring a brown bag lunch for a mid-day picnic and become a part of the valley’s amazing transformation. Due to the potential hazards inherent to working with barbed wire, this event is NOT recommended for small children. To register and get directions, go to https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?llr=jzh7gggab&oeidk=a07e7vxdntt12c31498. For more information, contact Candi Tobin with the Nisqually Land Trust at ctobin@nisquallylandtrust.org or at 360-489-3400 x102.
9:30 am – 12:00 pm – Yauger Park work party
Looking for a service project that will make an impact to be seen by a large crowd? Come out to paint signs at Yauger Park! This popular park receives a lot of visitors especially during the summer months! Yauger Park is located at 3100 Capital Mall Dr SW. Meet near the large parking lot at the corner of Capital Mall and Cooper Point Rd. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes or boots that can get wet and muddy. Youth under age 14 must be accompanied by an adult and all youth under 18 years must have a signed Waiver and Medical Alert (available online at http://olympiawa.gov/~/media/Files/Parks/Volunteering/WAIVER%20Form.ashx) or have a parents’ signature on the sign-in roster at the project work site. For more information, contact Christina Newman with City of Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation at 360.753.8365 or go to www.olympiawa.gov/parkvolunteer.
Wednesday, August 7
7 pm – Ice Worms: What they Tell Us About Glaciation
(Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center) Speaker Peter Wimberger (Professor and Director of the Slater Museum of Natural History, University of Puget Sound). Lectures start at 7 pm and will last approximately 1 hour followed by questions. All lectures are free, and the Refuge entrance fee is waived for those attending the lectures. Attendance is limited to seats available. Seating will be issued starting at 6 pm on a first-come basis, and you must be present. If there are not seats available when you arrive, you will not be able to attend the lecture. Persons with disabilities who require accommodations should contact the Refuge at (360)753-9467.
Thursday, August 8
9:00 am to 11:30 am – Woodland Creek Community Park plant maintenance
(Olympia) It’s finally summer and sunny! Which also means the plants at Woodland Creek Community Park need watering. Join Stream Team to make sure the new plants for the Woodland Creek buffer survive the summer! To register and get more information, go to http://www.streamteam.info/getinvolved/calendar.
Friday, August 9
9 am – 3 pm – South Sound Prairie Restoration Work Party
It’s time to kick seed cleaning into high gear, so come join Tel over at Shotwell’s Landing to help him work through the mountain of seeds to clean. As always, please dress for the weather and bring a box lunch, gloves and plenty of water. Directions to Shotwell’s Landing Nursery (14447 Littlerock Road SW; Rochester 98579): take I-5 to exit 95 (Littlerock exit), ~10 miles south of Olympia; go west on Maytown Rd SW to the only stop sign in Littlerock (by the elementary school); continue straight for ~100 feet, and turn left onto Littlerock Road; go 1.7 miles south on Littlerock Road—Shotwell’s Nursery will be on your right. For more information, contact ssvolunteers@cnlm.org. Sponsored by the Center for Natural Lands Management.
9:30 am – 12:00 pm – Woodruff Park work party
The painting continues on the westside at Woodruff Park! Join Park Stewardship to beautify the paint on these signs off the highly utilized Harrison Ave. Woodruff Park is located at 1500 Harrison Ave NW. Street parking is available on Thomas St NW. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes or boots that can get wet and muddy. Youth under age 14 must be accompanied by an adult and all youth under 18 years must have a signed Waiver and Medical Alert (available online at http://olympiawa.gov/~/media/Files/Parks/Volunteering/WAIVER%20Form.ashx) or have a parents’ signature on the sign-in roster at the project work site. For more information, contact Christina Newman with City of Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation at 360.753.8365 or go to www.olympiawa.gov/parkvolunteer.
Saturday, August 10
9 am – 11 am – Birds of a Feather: Take Flight on a Bird Walk
(Nisqually Wildlife Refuge) Many species of bird, from the tiny Rufous Hummingbird to the majestic Bald Eagle, nest on the Refuge. Join experienced birder Phil Kelley for a guided walk full of the sights and sounds of one of the Refuge’s largest treasures – the birds! Meet at the landing overlooking the pond at the Visitor Center. The program is free, but there is a $3 fee for entering the Refuge.
9:00 am – 12:00 pm – Invasive Blackberry Control in Eatonville
Join Nisqually Land Trust for a few hours of invasive plant removal near Eatonville. We’ll be using hand tools to remove non-native blackberry and other trouble weeds from NLT-protected land. Some snacks and water will be provided, but you are encouraged to bring a water bottle. Gloves, safety glasses, and loppers will be available for borrowing. There are no restrooms at this site. To register and get directions, go to https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?llr=jzh7gggab&oeidk=a07e7x0078t73a05d53. For more information, contact Candi Tobin with the Nisqually Land Trust at ctobin@nisquallylandtrust.org or at 360-489-3400 x102.
10 am – 3 pm – South Sound Prairie Restoration Work Party
We will be back at Glacial Heritage. We have weed wrenches and plenty of broom to get rid of for those who like pulling broom. If indoor activities are more your speed, we will bring some seed over to clean in the volunteer house. We may have a potluck following the work day, depending on interest. If you’d like to bring a dish, email us at ssvolunteers@cnlm.org and we can see how many people we’ll have. As always, please dress for the weather and bring a box lunch, gloves and plenty of water. Directions to Glacial Heritage: take I-5 to exit 95 (the Littlerock exit), ~10 miles south of Olympia; go west into Littlerock; continue going straight through Littlerock—do not take any turns, and follow the road (128th Ave) until it ends at Mima Road/Waddell Creek Road; turn south (left) on Mima Road and go 2.7 miles; take a left onto a gravel road with sign for Glacial Heritage—there will be a tractor sign shortly before the turn. Please obey the 15 mph speed limit, as there are often dogs and small children active nearby. Follow the road through the gate; take the first right, and then stay to the left to get to the house. For more information, contact ssvolunteers@cnlm.org. Sponsored by the Center for Natural Lands Management.
10:00 am – 1:00 pm – Percival Landing work party
Join Park Stewardship as we work at Percival Landing to follow through from a major weeding event that took place around mid-July. Volunteers will remove invasive species from flower beds along the waterfront and the adjoining pathways. Percival Landing is located at 405 Columbia St NW. Meet off the main parking lot in the large sheltered area. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes or boots that can get wet and muddy. Youth under age 14 must be accompanied by an adult and all youth under 18 years must have a signed Waiver and Medical Alert (available online at http://olympiawa.gov/~/media/Files/Parks/Volunteering/WAIVER%20Form.ashx) or have a parents’ signature on the sign-in roster at the project work site. For more information, contact Christina Newman with City of Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation at 360.753.8365 or go to www.olympiawa.gov/parkvolunteer.
10 am – 1 pm – How to Keep a Wave on the Sand: Capturing the Outdoors in Photographs
(Nisqually Wildlife Refuge) Never again let nature’s beauty escape your lens! In this hands-on workshop with writer and photographer Greg Farley, you will learn to take your camera off the “automatic” settings and then head outside to apply basic and professional outdoor photography techniques. 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, but there is a $3 fee for entering the Refuge.
10:00 am – FREE Composting Workshop on Yard Waste
(Dirt Works Garden) Directions: From I-5 take HWY 101 towards Shelton. Get off at Black Lake Blvd. exit and at the bottom of the ramp turn right. Get in the left lane and make a left onto Cooper Point Road. Make a left onto Capital Mall Drive and follow it until you see the Yauger Park and Dirt Works sign on the corner of Alta Street. Turn right onto Alta Street. Follow this road into the park and drive through the parking lot until it ends. The garden entrance is located at the end of the parking lot.
7 pm – Captain Charles Moore on the effects of plastic waste in the oceans
(Traditions Café: 300 5th Ave. SW; Olympia 98501) Meet Charles Moore, author, scientist and activist who, in 1997, set sail around the world from Honolulu, with the intention of returning home after competing in a trans-Pacific race. To get to California, he and his crew took a shortcut through the seldom-traversed North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, a vast “oceanic desert” where winds are slack and sailing ships languish. There, Moore realized his catamaran was surrounded by a “plastic soup.” He had stumbled upon the largest garbage dump on the planet—a spiral nebula where plastic outweighed zooplankton, the ocean’s food base, by a factor of six to one. In this presentation Moore will discuss these observations, what they mean to our planet, and the new chapter in his book Plastic Ocean. A call to action as urgent as Rachel Carson’s seminal Silent Spring, Moore’s sobering revelations will be embraced by activists, concerned parents and seafaring enthusiasts disturbed about the deadly impact and implications of this man-made plight. Guests are welcome to give a $10 donation at the door. Traditions Café will be open only until 6 p.m. so come early to eat if you like.
Mon, August 12
11:30 am – 12:30 pm – Marine Creature Monday at Boston Harbor Marina!
(Olympia) Stream Team will pair with local divers and retired volunteer marine biologists David Jamison and Joe Hiss. Divers will demonstrate their equipment prior to diving to the bottom of the Sound to collect marine creatures for our viewing. Biologists will talk about each species found and their habitat needs and what is required to keep Puget Sound clean and healthy. All the marine creatures are kept in seawater and gently released back into Puget Sound. Life vests required for age 6 and under; please bring your own or the marina has a few loaners. This is one of our most popular, all ages event. Online registration is necessary to keep the group size small: go to http://streamteam.info/getinvolved/calendar. For more information contact Michelle Stevie at mstevie@ci.olympia.wa.us or 360-753-8336.
1:00 – 2:00 pm – Marine Creature Monday at Boston Harbor Marina!
See description for event earlier today.
Tuesday, August 13
9 am – 3 pm – South Sound Prairie Restoration Work Party
(Stay tuned for details) For more information, contact ssvolunteers@cnlm.org. Sponsored by the Center for Natural Lands Management.
9:30 am – 12:00 pm – Madison Scenic Park work party
Removal of invasive species is a constant battle in Olympia Parks. Lend a hand to clearing this beautiful neighborhood park of English Ivy, Scotch broom, Himalayan Blackberry, and Morning Glory. Madison Scenic Park is located at 1600 10th Ave SE. Meet in the center of the park up the driveway from the small parking lot. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes or boots that can get wet and muddy. Youth under age 14 must be accompanied by an adult and all youth under 18 years must have a signed Waiver and Medical Alert (available online at http://olympiawa.gov/~/media/Files/Parks/Volunteering/WAIVER%20Form.ashx) or have a parents’ signature on the sign-in roster at the project work site. For more information, contact Christina Newman with City of Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation at 360.753.8365 or go to www.olympiawa.gov/parkvolunteer.
6:00 – 7:30 pm – Priest Point Park Beach Seine
(Olympia) The nearshore and open waters of lower Puget Sound are highly productive. Juvenile salmon, sand lance and Pacific staghorn skulpin all utilize the nearshore environments shallow waters to rest, feed or spawn. These fish are critical to the larger marine food web and the integrity of the nearshore environments of Puget Sound. Join Washington State Department Fish and Wildlife fish biologist, Larry Phillips for a beach seine at Priest Point Park. Participants will help unroll a seining net and pull the net to shore to see what is caught. Larry will identify and talk about the fish and other marine creatures that are found in the net and their importance to the health of our nearshore ecosystems. To register, go to http://streamteam.info/getinvolved/calendar. For more information contact Michelle Stevie at mstevie@ci.olympia.wa.us or 360-753-8336.
Wednesday, August 14
7 pm – Mountain Fever: Stories of the First Ascents on Mt. Rainier
(Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center) Speaker: Jim Ross (Outreach Specialist and Naturalist, Mt. Rainier National Park). Lectures start at 7 pm and will last approximately 1 hour followed by questions. All lectures are free, and the Refuge entrance fee is waived for those attending the lectures. Attendance is limited to seats available. Seating will be issued starting at 6 pm on a first-come basis, and you must be present. If there are not seats available when you arrive, you will not be able to attend the lecture. Persons with disabilities who require accommodations should contact the Refuge at (360)753-9467.
Thursday, August 15
8:00 – 11:00 am (or so) – Black Hills Audubon Society field trip to Eagles Pride Golf Course at Joint Base Lewis-McChord
The Eagles Pride Golf Course covers 431 acres, 55% of which is native or naturalized Douglas-fir/Hemlock woodland forest with five bodies of water. One-half mile from Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, the golf course attracts many species of birds and other wildlife. We will walk open gravel roads and paths. For more details go to http://blackhills-audubon.org/fieldtrips-events.htm or contact David Wienecke at david.l.wienecke.naf@mail.mil or 253-964-0341 (office) or 760- 828-8788 (mobile).
Friday, August 16
9:30 am – 12:00 pm – Madison Scenic Park work party
Removal of invasive species is a constant battle in Olympia Parks. Lend a hand to clearing this beautiful neighborhood park of English Ivy, Scotch broom, Himalayan Blackberry, and Morning Glory. Madison Scenic Park is located at 1600 10th Ave SE. Meet in the center of the park up the driveway from the small parking lot. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes or boots that can get wet and muddy. Youth under age 14 must be accompanied by an adult and all youth under 18 years must have a signed Waiver and Medical Alert (available online at http://olympiawa.gov/~/media/Files/Parks/Volunteering/WAIVER%20Form.ashx) or have a parents’ signature on the sign-in roster at the project work site. For more information, contact Christina Newman with City of Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation at 360.753.8365 or go to www.olympiawa.gov/parkvolunteer.
Saturday, August 17
9:30 am – 2:30 pm – Yowkwala invasive species removal and clean-up
(Tacoma) For more information, contact Jeanine Riss at jriss@healthybay.org. Sponsored by Citizens for a Healthy Bay.
10:00 am – 1:00 pm – Meet Us At The Beach at Priest Point Park & Burfoot County Park
Trained Beach Naturalists from South Sound Estuary Association will be on the beach during low-tide to answer questions. Visit the beach and see what you can discover! For more information, go to www.sseacenter.org.
10 am – Seminary Hill Natural Area Geology Walk
(Centralia) Join geologist Jim Ward on a trip back in time as he explains the geological history of the Seminary Hill area. As we walk we will see examples of and learn about development of the present-day land forms of this region. Note: Some trails are quite steep, and there is a 2-300-foot elevation gain from the parking lot to the higher points in the Natural Area. Wear appropriate shoes or hiking boots: trails can be slippery when it has been raining. A walking stick can make the climbing and descending much easier and safer. Be prepared for changes in the weather: layered clothing and rainwear are advisable. Remember your camera, a water bottle, perhaps a snack and a litter bag. Books for identifying trees, flowers, birds and animals are also handy. Directions: Follow Seminary Hill Road past the Armory, then past Saxon and Baker Streets to the large blue gate on the right (just beyond the small pump house). Enter through the large blue gate to park and meet the event leader. For more information, call 360-736-7045 or 360-330-7688.
Sunday, August 18
10:00 am – 1:00 pm – Meet Us At The Beach at Tolmie State Park & Frye Cove County Park
Trained Beach Naturalists from South Sound Estuary Association will be on the beach during low-tide to answer questions. Visit the beach and see what you can discover! For more information, go to www.sseacenter.org. (Note: a Discover Pass is required to use Tolmie Park.)
Tuesday, August 20
9 am – 3 pm – South Sound Prairie Restoration Work Party
(Stay tuned for details) For more information, contact ssvolunteers@cnlm.org. Sponsored by the Center for Natural Lands Management.
9:30 am – 12:00 pm – Yashiro Japanese Garden work party
Join Park Stewards as we tackle weeds at this beloved downtown refuge. This low-key work party will take place in the Yashiro Japanese Garden located at 1010 Plum St SE. Meet inside the park off the entrance from the main parking lot. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes or boots that can get wet and muddy. Youth under age 14 must be accompanied by an adult and all youth under 18 years must have a signed Waiver and Medical Alert (available online at http://olympiawa.gov/~/media/Files/Parks/Volunteering/WAIVER%20Form.ashx) or have a parents’ signature on the sign-in roster at the project work site. For more information, contact Christina Newman with City of Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation at 360.753.8365 or go to www.olympiawa.gov/parkvolunteer.
Wednesday, August 21
7 pm – The Insect Safari
(Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center) Speaker: Don Ehlen (naturalist). Lectures start at 7 pm and will last approximately 1 hour followed by questions. All lectures are free, and the Refuge entrance fee is waived for those attending the lectures. Attendance is limited to seats available. Seating will be issued starting at 6 pm on a first-come basis, and you must be present. If there are not seats available when you arrive, you will not be able to attend the lecture. Persons with disabilities who require accommodations should contact the Refuge at (360)753-9467.
August 22-25 – Joint WA Ornithology Society / Western Field Ornithologists Conference
Black Hills Audubon Society (BHAS) will host the first joint conference of the Western Field Ornithologists (WFO) and the Washington Ornithology Society (WOS) at the Red Lion Inn in Olympia. The conference will feature over 20 field trips in addition to workshops, science sessions, and panels. For more details, go to http://blackhills-audubon.org/fieldtrips-events.htm and http://blackhills-audubon.org/pubs/WFO-WOS_2013_Conf_flyer.pdf.
Friday, August 23
9:30 am – 12:00 pm – Evergreen Park work party
Much progress has been made in battling the invasive species at Evergreen Park but one final push is needed! Lend a hand before big weekend plans to help eradicate scotchbroom, blackberry, and other pesky plants from this lovely neighborhood park. Evergreen Park is located at 1445 Evergreen Park Dr SW. Volunteers will meet in the large grassy area near the main road. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes or boots that can get wet and muddy. Youth under age 14 must be accompanied by an adult and all youth under 18 years must have a signed Waiver and Medical Alert (available online at http://olympiawa.gov/~/media/Files/Parks/Volunteering/WAIVER%20Form.ashx) or have a parents’ signature on the sign-in roster at the project work site. For more information, contact Christina Newman with City of Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation at 360.753.8365 or go to www.olympiawa.gov/parkvolunteer.
Saturday, August 24
10 am – 1 pm – How to Keep a Wave on the Sand: Capturing the Outdoors in Photographs
(Nisqually Wildlife Refuge) Never again let nature’s beauty escape your lens! In this hands-on workshop with writer and photographer Greg Farley, you will learn to take your camera off the “automatic” settings and then head outside to apply basic and professional outdoor photography techniques. 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, but there is a $3 fee for entering the Refuge.
10 am – 12 noon – It’s in Your Nature: Exploring the Wild
(Nisqually Wildlife Refuge) From bitterns to butterflies, chickadees to crabapples, the Refuge is home to many types of wildlife. Join naturalists Art Pavey, Jan Kramer, and Cheri Greenwood on this nature walk that is sure to teach you something new about the creatures of the Refuge. Meet in the Visitor Center. The program is free, but there is a $3 fee for entering the Refuge.
Sunday, August 25
1 pm – 2:30 pm – Our Amazing Plant World
(Nisqually Wildlife Refuge) Summer is the perfect time to experience the Refuge plant life is all its diversity! Join Sally Vogel on a nature walk through the Refuge—all the while learning about plant-insect interactions, adaptations for survival and other interesting facts. You only live once: Stop to smell the flowers! Meet at the flagpole in front of the Visitor Center. The program is free, but there is a $3 fee for entering the Refuge.
Monday, August 26
11:30 am – 12:30 pm – Marine Creature Monday at Boston Harbor Marina!
(Olympia) Stream Team will pair with local divers and retired volunteer marine biologists David Jamison and Joe Hiss. Divers will demonstrate their equipment prior to diving to the bottom of the Sound to collect marine creatures for our viewing. Biologists will talk about each species found and their habitat needs and what is required to keep Puget Sound clean and healthy. All the marine creatures are kept in seawater and gently released back into Puget Sound. Life vests required for age 6 and under; please bring your own or the marina has a few loaners. This is one of our most popular, all ages event. Online registration is necessary to keep the group size small: go to http://streamteam.info/getinvolved/calendar. For more information contact Michelle Stevie at mstevie@ci.olympia.wa.us or 360-753-8336.
1:00 – 2:00 pm – Marine Creature Monday at Boston Harbor Marina!
See description for event earlier today.
Tuesday, August 27
9 am – 3 pm – South Sound Prairie Restoration Work Party
(Stay tuned for details) For more information, contact ssvolunteers@cnlm.org. Sponsored by the Center for Natural Lands Management.
9:30 am – 12:00 pm – Harry Fain’s Legion Park work party
Only a few touches are needed to beautify this charming space. Join neighbors and stewards to maintain picnic tables and swings with a fresh coat of paint! Harry Fain’s Legion Park is located at 1115 20th Ave SE. Meet in the open space near the front of the park. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes or boots that can get wet and muddy. Youth under age 14 must be accompanied by an adult and all youth under 18 years must have a signed Waiver and Medical Alert (available online at http://olympiawa.gov/~/media/Files/Parks/Volunteering/WAIVER%20Form.ashx) or have a parents’ signature on the sign-in roster at the project work site. For more information, contact Christina Newman with City of Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation at 360.753.8365 or go to www.olympiawa.gov/parkvolunteer.
Wednesday, August 28
7 pm – Feathers: Biology and Beauty
(Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center) Speaker: Chris Maynard (artist). Lectures start at 7 pm and will last approximately 1 hour followed by questions. All lectures are free, and the Refuge entrance fee is waived for those attending the lectures. Attendance is limited to seats available. Seating will be issued starting at 6 pm on a first-come basis, and you must be present. If there are not seats available when you arrive, you will not be able to attend the lecture. Persons with disabilities who require accommodations should contact the Refuge at (360)753-9467.
Friday, August 30
9:30 am – 12:00 pm – Percival Landing work party
Join Park Stewardship as we work at Percival Landing to keep on top of the weeds. Volunteers will remove invasive species from flower beds along the waterfront and the adjoining pathways. Percival Landing is located at 405 Columbia St NW. Meet off the main parking lot in the large sheltered area. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes or boots that can get wet and muddy. Youth under age 14 must be accompanied by an adult and all youth under 18 years must have a signed Waiver and Medical Alert (available online at http://olympiawa.gov/~/media/Files/Parks/Volunteering/WAIVER%20Form.ashx) or have a parents’ signature on the sign-in roster at the project work site. For more information, contact Christina Newman with City of Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation at 360.753.8365 or go to www.olympiawa.gov/parkvolunteer.
Saturday, August 31
8:30 am – 12 noon – Birds of a Feather: Take Flight on a Bird Walk
(Nisqually 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 experienced birder David Richardson for a guided walk full of the sights and sounds of one of the Refuge’s largest treasures: The birds! Meet at the landing overlooking the pond at the Visitor Center. The program is free, but there is a $3 fee for entering the Refuge.
Sunday, September 1
9 am – 11 am – It’s in Your Nature: Exploring the Wild
(Nisqually Wildlife Refuge) From bitterns to butterflies, chickadees to crabapples, the Refuge is home to many types of wildlife. Join naturalist Jan Seguin on this nature walk that is sure to teach you something new about the creatures of the Refuge. Meet in the Visitor Center. The program is free, but there is a $3 fee for entering the Refuge.
Tuesday, September 3
9 am – 3 pm – South Sound Prairie Restoration Work Party
(Stay tuned for details) For more information, contact ssvolunteers@cnlm.org. Sponsored by the Center for Natural Lands Management.
Saturday, September 7
9 am – noon – Red Salmon Creek NatureMapping Field Trip
The Nisqually Land Trust protects this 25+ acre site near the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge. The site is a mosaic of small coastal streams buffered by narrow forest bands and pastures that have been planted with natives in the last 6 years. The site also contains a small area of salt marsh at the southwest edge of the property and an active beaver population. The land trust needs to collect wildlife data at the site, and Northwest Trek has offered to help by organizing citizen-scientists to do the data collection. No previous NatureMapping experience is required, and the event is free. Participants should come dressed for the weather and for walking in grassy and woody environments and on uneven surfaces. The terrain ranges from uneven meadows and forests to riparian and wetland edges. Some areas require climbing and maneuvering over debris. Rubber boots and walking sticks are advised for portions of the site. To sign up or for more information, contact Jessica Moore at 360.832.7160 or at Jessica.Moore@nwtrek.org.
10 am – 1 pm – Birds of a Feather: Take Flight on a Bird Walk
(Nisqually Wildlife Refuge) Many species of bird, from the tiny Rufous Hummingbird to the majestic Bald Eagle, nest on the Refuge. Join experienced birder Eric Slagle for a guided walk full of the sights and sounds of one of the Refuge’s largest treasures – the birds! Meet at the landing overlooking the pond at the Visitor Center. The program is free, but there is a $3 fee for entering the Refuge.
10 am – 1 pm – How to Keep a Wave on the Sand: Capturing the Outdoors in Photographs
(Nisqually Wildlife Refuge) Never again let nature’s beauty escape your lens! In this hands-on workshop with writer and photographer Greg Farley, you will learn to take your camera off the “automatic” settings and then head outside to apply basic and professional outdoor photography techniques. 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, but there is a $3 fee for entering the Refuge.
9 pm – Pier Peer at Boston Harbor Marina
(Boston Harbor Marina; Olympia) Join South Sound Estuary Association for a night-lighting event. Peer below the waters of Puget Sound and discover the lives of mysterious and beautiful creatures. Jellyfish, colorful sea slugs, predatory worms and more visit us at the underwater lights. Learn about the animals of Puget Sound and see them like you never have before! Bring a flashlight (one per person is ideal) and dress for the weather. All children must be accompanied by an adult, and children under 5 are not advised. Registration is required, and the cost is $10/adult; accompanying child 6 and over are free. To register, go to www.sseacenter.org and click the Pier Peer tab. Event registration will be closed at ten adults for the safety and enjoyment of participants.
Sunday, September 8
1 pm – 2:30 pm – The Nisqually and Medicine Creek: Where Nature, Culture and History Converge
(Nisqually Wildlife Refuge) 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. Lynn Corliss leads you down history’s winding path, where you will discover important things about the people who enjoyed this land before you did. Meet at the flagpole in front of the Visitor Center. The program is free, but there is a $3 fee for entering the Refuge.
Tuesday, September 10
9 am – 3 pm – South Sound Prairie Restoration Work Party
(Stay tuned for details) For more information, contact ssvolunteers@cnlm.org. Sponsored by the Center for Natural Lands Management.
Saturday, September 14
10 am – 1 pm – How to Keep a Wave on the Sand: Capturing the Outdoors in Photographs
(Nisqually Wildlife Refuge) Never again let nature’s beauty escape your lens! In this hands-on workshop with writer and photographer Greg Farley, you will learn to take your camera off the “automatic” settings and then head outside to apply basic and professional outdoor photography techniques. 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, but there is a $3 fee for entering the Refuge.
10:00 am – FREE Composting Workshop on Yard Waste
(Closed Loop Park—just inside the Thurston County Waste and Recovery Center entrance at 2418 Hogum Bay Road at Hawk’s Prairie). Directions: From downtown Olympia take I-5 North. Take exit 111, the ramp has two lanes. Stay in the left lane and follow it to the traffic light on Marvin Road. Turn left onto Marvin Road; make sure you are in the right lane. Once you go through the light turn right onto Hogum Bay Road (a Mexican restaurant on this corner). Take the second road into the Waste and Recovery Center entrance. Look for a small “Closed Loop Park” sign on the fence at that intersection. Follow the road in and the garden is located on the right, just past the dog park.
Tuesday, September 17
9 am – 3 pm – South Sound Prairie Restoration Work Party
(Stay tuned for details) For more information, contact ssvolunteers@cnlm.org. Sponsored by the Center for Natural Lands Management.
Saturday, September 21
9 am – noon – Powell Creek NatureMapping Field Trip
(near Yelm) This Nisqually Land Trust property was recently planted to restore natural habitat for wildlife use along the Nisqually River. The land trust needs to collect wildlife data on the site, and Northwest Trek has offered to help by organizing citizen-scientists to do the data collection. No previous NatureMapping experience is required, and the event is free. Participants should come dressed for the weather and for walking in grassy and woody environments and on uneven surfaces. The terrain ranges from level unpaved roads to uneven meadows and forests. Some areas require climbing and maneuvering over debris. To sign up or for more information, contact Jessica Moore at 360.832.7160 or at Jessica.Moore@nwtrek.org.
Tuesday, September 24
9 am – 3 pm – South Sound Prairie Restoration Work Party
(Stay tuned for details) For more information, contact ssvolunteers@cnlm.org. Sponsored by the Center for Natural Lands Management.
Saturday, September 28
10 am – 4 pm – Nisqually Watershed Festival
(Nisqually Wildlife Refuge) Tours and guided walks through-out the day, as well as music, live animal presentations, educations exhibits, a marine touch tank, and walks and tours. Join us in a celebration of the cultural, economic and natural resources of the Nisqually Watershed! All events are free (except the food!). For more information, go to www.nisquallyriver.org or call (360) 753-9467.
Saturday, October 12
9 am – noon – Ohop Creek Restoration NatureMapping Field Trip
(near Eatonville) The South Sound Salmon Enhancement Group, Nisqually Indian Tribe, Nisqually Land Trust and its partners are working together to restore the creek through the Ohop Valley to its original meandering pathway. Northwest Trek is helping by using citizen-scientists to collect data on wildlife in the project area—which is what today’s event involves. No previous NatureMapping experience is required, and the event is free. Participants should come dressed for the weather and for walking in a wet environment on uneven surfaces. To sign up or for more information, contact Jessica Moore at 360.832.7160 or at Jessica.Moore@nwtrek.org.
10:00 am – FREE Composting Workshop on Putting your worms to bed for the winter
(Dirt Works Garden) Directions: From I-5 take HWY 101 towards Shelton. Get off at Black Lake Blvd. exit and at the bottom of the ramp turn right. Get in the left lane and make a left onto Cooper Point Road. Make a left onto Capital Mall Drive and follow it until you see the Yauger Park and Dirt Works sign on the corner of Alta Street. Turn right onto Alta Street. Follow this road into the park and drive through the parking lot until it ends. The garden entrance is located at the end of the parking lot.