See Below
RECURRING EVENTS
Tuesdays: South Sound Prairie work party, 9 am – 3 pm
Olympia City Council, 7 pm (Olympia City Council Chambers: 601 4th Ave E)
http://olympia.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
Tumwater City Council, 7 pm on the 1st & 3rd Tuesday (Tumwater City Hall: 555 Israel Rd. SW) www.ci.tumwater.wa.us/ccagendasTOC.htm
Wednesdays: Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Bird Walk, 8-11 am – Meet at Visitor Center Overlook at 8 am.
Nisqually Land Trust Work Party, 9 am – noon
Thursdays: Lacey City Council, 7 pm on the 2nd & 4th Thursday (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.
Saturdays: Olympia Farmers’ Market, 10 am – 3 pm (700 N Capitol Way; Olympia 98501) http://olympiafarmersmarket.com.
South Sound Estuarium, 10 am – 3 pm (608 Washington St NE; Olympia 98501) http://sseacenter.wordpress.com/south-sound-estuarium
Sundays: South Sound Estuarium, 10 am – 3 pm
Black Hills Audubon Society Beginning Birding Class
Registration is now open for the Beginning Birding class which begins on Saturday, January 11. The class runs for four Saturdays in a row and includes two additional field trips. The class is held at the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge from 9:00 to 11:00 am. The cost is $60. The class is taught by Scott Mills, PhD. He has taught many beginning and advanced birding classes, as well as college-level ornithology. His knowledge of birds is incredible and his love of birds is infectious! You will learn not only how to identify birds, but also about their anatomy/physiology and fascinating behaviors. Registration is required: email Shelley Horn at shelleysmail@me.com to register or for more information.
Free Consultations with Stormwater Stewards Now Available
Looking for ideas for dealing with stormwater runoff on your property? Stormwater Stewards is a free program offered by Thurston County Water Resources, the Cities of Lacey, Olympia and Tumwater and WSU Extension, which is modeled after the highly successful Master Gardener program. Stormwater Stewards are highly trained volunteers who can help residents learn about green stormwater solutions that protect water resources while improving their home and landscapes. Stormwater Stewards can make recommendations on: drainage improvements; techniques to infiltrate stormwater on-site; sustainable landscape techniques; wildlife habitat; healthier plants and lawns; designing and constructing rain gardens; permeable pavers and more. For more information or to request a Stormwater Stewards consultation, contact Krista at Krista@nativeplantsalvage.org or 360-867-2166.
Amphibian Egg-Mass Surveys
Amphibians lay their eggs in wetlands, stormwater ponds, and ponds in late winter through spring. If you have a yearning to get outdoors and like to play “I Spy”, then join us in February thru March to survey local wetlands to identify and count amphibian egg masses. Attendance at the Amphibians of the Pacific Northwest Workshop (Saturday, January 25) is preferred, but not required, to participate. Field class date will be announced: watch the Stream Team website calendar or bi-monthly Stream Team email for the egg mass survey field training date. The training will be scheduled on a Saturday in early February, depending on local amphibian breeding activity. For additional information, contact: Michelle Stevie at mstevie@ci.olympia.wa.us.
Become a Stormwater Steward!
Become a member of a first-in-the-nation program that is getting its hands dirty and helping protect local waterways and Puget Sound! Join us to learn how to build rain gardens, design installations for rainwater harvesting, create sustainable landscaping plans, and much more! Stormwater Stewards volunteers provide free, on-site consultations to Thurston County residents, and we are looking for passionate folks to join our team in 2014. Thorough, in-class training and practice installations are provided each May and June; then our volunteers continue into a practicum period and eventually become certified Stormwater Stewards. No prior experience is necessary: we only ask that you have a passion for learning and diving into the field to make on-the-ground change happen. Learn to provide recommendations concerning: drainage improvements; green stormwater infrastructure, such as rain gardens and pervious pavements; privacy buffers; safer walkways; wildlife habitat ; aesthetic enhancements; healthier plants & lawns; reduced yard maintenance. If you would like to commit to helping make this important work happen, visit http://nativeplantsalvage.org or email stormwater.stewards@gmail.com to receive the 2014 recruitment packet. Applications are due by April 21 and trainings begin on May 8 for eight subsequent Thursday evenings with additional field days on some Saturdays.
Monday, January 13
7 pm – (talk) Rare Plants: Endemics, Disjuncts, and Peripheral Species.
(Washington State Capitol Museum Coach House: 211 21st Avenue SW; Olympia 98501) Why is this plant growing here? Is it a native? How did it get here? Are there more of these plants nearby? What are our conservation priorities for this plant? These are the kinds of questions often facing Joe Arnett, rare-plant botanist for the Washington Natural Heritage Program. J oe will discuss selection of the plant species regarded to be conservation priorities in Washington, considering the different ways that they are distributed on the landscape. Aspects of distribution include evaluation of risk, genetics, and dispersal mechanisms. Joe Arnett has been the rare plant botanist for the Washington Natural Heritage Program since 2005 and has formally studied the plants of Washington since 1982. Free!
Tuesday January 14
9 am – 3 pm – South Sound Prairie work party
(South Thurston County) We are meeting at Glacial Heritage Preserve to burn fallen Douglas-firs and shore pine. Since we will have multiple bonfires, let’s make baked potatoes for lunch! We will provide the potatoes if volunteers can bring a topping of their choice and their own utensils. If you are interested in doing this, please RSVP to jjacobs@cnlm.org. Dress for the weather, and bring along 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.
7:00 pm – Great Ape Genetic Diversity and Species Conservation
(Olympia REI: 625 Black Lake Blvd. #410; Olympia 98502) Homo sapiens belong to a family of species called the great apes, which includes chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans in addition humans. Though much of the attention has focused recently on ‘personal genomics,’ the ability to cheaply sequence human genomes for medical records and ancestry tracking, far fewer resources have been focused on exploring the genomic diversity of other great apes. However, non-human great apes demonstrate far more genetic diversity than humans. Additionally, every species of great ape, with the exception of humans, is endangered, and some populations very critically. It is thus imperative to study these close relatives of our own species not only to inform conservation techniques, but, before some populations disappear forever. In this talk University of Washington doctoral student Peter Sudmant will discuss our recent effort to sequence the largest number of wild great ape genomes to date, and how this resource can be used in conservation efforts and to better understand human history. The talk is free, but space is limited and you must register by sending an email to Alison Beglin at alison@capitollandtrust.org or by calling (360) 943-3012. A collaboration between Capitol Land Trust and REI.
Wednesday, January 15
9 am – noon – Yelm Shoreline Planting
(Yelm) Join Nisqually Land Trust for work party to benefit wildlife habitat near the Nisqually River! Coffee, water, and some light snacks will be provided; please bring a water bottle and anything else you might need. Work parties are rain or shine. Bring layers, raingear, and close-toed shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty. All minors MUST be accompanied by a parent or guardian. To register and get directions, go to www.nisquallylandtrust.org/events.php and click on the event. For more information, contact Cris Peck (AmeriCorps Volunteer Coordinator, Nisqually Land Trust) at 360-489-3400 ext. 106 or at www.nisquallylandtrust.org.
9:30 am – 12 pm – Trillium Park Work Party
(Olympia) Come out to Trillium Park to help replace steps in this well-loved park. The focus of this work party will be to replace steps and remove invasive species. Meet at 900 Governor Stevens Ave SE. 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 Mike Baker with City of Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation at mbaker@ci.olympia.wa.us or at 360.753.8365, or go to www.olympiawa.gov/parkvolunteer.
1:30 pm – public hearing on bill requiring paint manufacturers to develop and implement a paint stewardship program
(House Environment Committee: House Hearing Rm C, in the John L. O’Brien Building on the Capitol campus in Olympia) Public hearing on HB 1579 (Concerning paint stewardship). For more information and to confirm that this hearing is actually going to take place, go to www.leg.wa.gov/House/Committees/ENVI and click on Agendas and this date.
6:30 pm – Understanding South Sound Tides
(LOTT’s WET Science Center: 500 Adams Street NE; Olympia 98501) What factors cause tides within the Puget Sound and Georgia Basin to differ from those along the coast? Why does Olympia get the highest tides in the entire Puget Sound? Come ask esteemed presenter Lynn Corliss, Marine Biology professor at South Puget Sound Community College. Join us as we take a deep dive into what influences the tides in the south sound region. Doors open at 6:30 pm; presentation is from 7-8:30 pm. Sponsored by the South Sound Estuary Association in partnership with the WET Science Center. Free!
6:30 pm – public hearings on land use zoning for Schader Crown Ranch and Ken Lake
(Room 152, Building 1 of the Thurston County Courthouse: 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW; Olympia 98502) The Thurston County Planning Commission will hold three public hearings, beginning at 7 pm. The first (Schader Crown Ranch) will be on a proposal to change the designated zoning for 188.5 acres from “Rural Residential/Resource 1 Unit Per 5 Acres” to “Long Term Agriculture”. The second hearing (Ken Lake) will be on a proposal to change the zoning for approximately 106 acres located northwest of Ken Lake in an unincorporated area of the Olympia Urban Growth Boundary. The proposal would change the zoning from “Residential 4 Units per Acre” to “Residential Low-Impact 2-4 Units Per Acre”. For more details on these issues, go to www.co.thurston.wa.us/planning and follow the links for today’s meeting.
Thursday, January 16
6:30 – 8:30 pm – Let It Soak In: Rain Garden Workshop
(Tumwater Fire Station: 311 Israel Rd SW, Tumwater) Thinking about adding a rain garden to your landscape? Or wondering what a rain garden is? A rain garden is a great way for you to make a big difference in protecting our local waterways and Puget Sound, while beautifying your yard. Rain gardens are shaped and sized to fit your yard and planted with a variety of flowers, shrubs and ornamental grasses. Rain gardens act like a forest by collecting, absorbing and filtering stormwater runoff from rooftops, driveways, patios and other areas around our homes that do not allow rainwater to soak back into the ground. Attend this hands-on workshop to learn how to add one of these lovely “stormwater” features to your yard. The workshop will give you all the details you need to design and install a beautiful rain garden that will manage your home’s stormwater drainage while protecting our local water resources. Participants will receive a rain garden poster and a copy of WSU’s Rain Garden Handbook for Western Washington. The basic instructional workshop will be followed by an optional session from 8:15 to 9 pm offering assistance creating a rain garden planting plan. The class will be taught by Erica Guttman, who has been a hands-on environmental educator for over 25 years and has been designing, installing, researching, and teaching about rain gardens for over seven years. She has contributed to several rain garden publications and created a 30-minute video, “Building a Rain Garden: Keeping our Pacific Northwest Waters Clean.” She holds an MA in ecological restoration with a focus on the Puget Sound nearshore. To register for this workshop, or for additional information, visit www.streamteam.info, click on Get Involved, select Calendar, and then click on “Register”. (If you live in Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater or Thurston County, a rain garden installation on your property could be eligible for a rebate! Go to www.streamteam.info/actions/raingardens for more information, the guidelines and applications.)
Friday, January 17
9 am – 3 pm – South Sound Prairie work party
(South Thurston County) We are having a nursery volunteer day at Shotwell’s Landing to clean seeds, weed plant beds, and possibly plant. Dress for the weather, and bring along 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 am – 12 pm – Wetland Habitat Restoration work party
(Tacoma Nature Center, 1919 S. Tyler St.) For more information go to http://tacoma.cedar.greencitypartnerships.org/event/calendar and click on the event, or call 253-591-6439.
Saturday, January 18
9 am – noon – Yelm Shoreline Planting
(Yelm) Join Nisqually Land Trust for work party to benefit wildlife habitat near the Nisqually River! Coffee, water, and some light snacks will be provided; please bring a water bottle and anything else you might need. Work parties are rain or shine. Bring layers, raingear, and close-toed shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty. All minors MUST be accompanied by a parent or guardian. To register and get directions, go to www.nisquallylandtrust.org/events.php and click on the event. For more information, contact Cris Peck (AmeriCorps Volunteer Coordinator, Nisqually Land Trust) at 360-489-3400 ext. 106 or at www.nisquallylandtrust.org.
10 am – 1 pm – Priest Point Park Work Party
(Olympia) Help celebrate MLK day with an Ivy pull! Join us on the second in a series of efforts to remove invasive vegetation from the beach trails at Priest Point Park. We will meet in Kitchen Shelter #3. 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 Mike Baker with City of Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation at mbaker@ci.olympia.wa.us or at 360.753.8365, or go to www.olympiawa.gov/parkvolunteer. Priest Point Park is located at 2600 East Bay Drive NE.
2:30 – 5 pm – Cooking class: Edible Weeds 101
Join Kate in exploring edible weeds which grow in our region. Learn about identifying, collecting and preparing those pesky plants that get in the way of what we choose to grow. Handouts will be provided, including recipes. Samples will be presented as available. For location and to register, go to www.olympiafood.coop/classes. (Why include cooking classes on a list of environmental events? Because learning to cook can greatly reduce the ecological footprint of your food—and it connects you to the sources of your food!)
Monday, January 20 (MLK Day)
9 am – 4 pm – Native-Plant Restoration with the Nisqually Land Trust
(Yelm) Join Nisqually Land Trust for a massive native-tree and shrub planting in the riparian zone of the Nisqually River. We need all the help we can get! Volunteers can stay for the entire day, or join in at 9 am (for the 9-noon shift) or at 1 pm (for the 1-4 shift). Coffee, water, and some light snacks will be provided; please bring a water bottle and anything else you might need. Work parties are rain or shine. Bring layers, raingear, and close-toed shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty. All minors MUST be accompanied by a parent or guardian. To register and get directions, go to https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07e8oo9y29429c1763 or go to www.nisquallylandtrust.org/events.php and click on the event. For more information, contact Cris Peck (AmeriCorps Volunteer Coordinator, Nisqually Land Trust) at 360-489-3400 ext. 106 or at www.nisquallylandtrust.org.
9 am – 1 pm – 5th Annual MLK Day of Service at First Creek
(Tacoma) Go to http://tacoma.cedar.greencitypartnerships.org/event/calendar and click on the event for more information.
10 am – 1 pm – Twin Rivers Ranch Work Party
(Olympia) Capitol Land Trust is ramping up its restoration efforts on this beautiful Oakland Bay shoreline property. Come help restore the tidal Sitka spruce forests and wetland habitat. A great chance to visit this unique and special place! To sign up and receive directions, email info@capitollandtrust.org. All are welcome; no experience is necessary.
1:30 pm – 4 pm – MLK Day Winter Shoreline Clean Up on Commencement Bay
(Tyee Marina: 5618 Marine View Drive, Tacoma 98422) Go to http://tacoma.cedar.greencitypartnerships.org/event/calendar and click on the event for more information, or contact Jeanine Riss at jriss@healthybay.org or call 253.383.2429.
Tuesday, January 21
9 am – 3 pm – South Sound Prairie work party
(South Thurston County) Dress for the weather, and bring along a box lunch, gloves and plenty of water. For more information, contact ssvolunteers@cnlm.org. Sponsored by the Center for Natural Lands Management.
Wednesday, January 22
9 am – noon – Powell Creek Uplands Scotch Broom Pull
(near Yelm) Join Nisqually Land Trust for work party to benefit wildlife habitat near the Nisqually River! Coffee, water, and some light snacks will be provided; please bring a water bottle and anything else you might need. Work parties are rain or shine. Bring layers, raingear, and close-toed shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty. All minors MUST be accompanied by a parent or guardian. To register and get directions, go to www.nisquallylandtrust.org/events.php and click on the event. For more information, contact Cris Peck (AmeriCorps Volunteer Coordinator, Nisqually Land Trust) at 360-489-3400 ext. 106 or at www.nisquallylandtrust.org.
Thursday, January 23
7:00 pm – Thurston County Agriculture Preservation Forum
(United Churches of Olympia: 110 11th Ave SE; Olympia) The forum format will be a panel of local farm advocates talking about issues facing farmers in the county. The panel members and their main foci are: Erik Hagen, WSU Extension (an overview of farmland in Thurston County); Steven Drew, County Assessor (economic aspects of farming in Thurston County); Chris Wilcox, Owner of Wilcox Farms (a large farmer’s perspective); Lisa Smith, Executive Director of Enterprise for Equity (efforts to increase the number of small farms); Loretta Seppanen, Citizen Board Member, South of the Sound Community Farmland Trust (efforts to purchase and preserve farmland). Invite your friends and interested others! Sponsored by the League of Women Voters—Thurston County. For more information go to www.lwvthurston.org.
Saturday, January 25
10 am – 1 pm – Olympia Woodland Trail Work Party
(Olympia) Join us at the Olympia Woodland Trail for this fun day of stewardship! Our focus for this work party will be weeding and mulching near the restrooms. 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 Mike Baker with City of Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation at mbaker@ci.olympia.wa.us or at 360.753.8365, or go to www.olympiawa.gov/parkvolunteer. Olympia Woodland Trail is located at 1600 Eastside St SE.
10 am – 1 pm – Amphibians of the Pacific Northwest Workshop
(LOTT WET Science Center, 500 Adams St NE, Olympia) Have you ever wondered what types of frogs are singing? Why are they singing? And why do they only sing at certain times of the year? If you are curious about frogs, toads, salamanders and newts, then join Stream Team with guest speaker Dr. Marc Hayes for a fun, informative workshop on Pacific Northwest amphibians. Dr. Hayes is a herpetological ecologist and senior research scientist with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. He has 40 years of experience working with amphibians and reptiles in Arizona, California, Costa Rica, Florida, Mexico, Oregon and Washington. Dr. Hayes will discuss the most common amphibian species found in Thurston County. We will learn about each species’ unique identifying characteristics, their life history stages and habitat requirements. The workshop will also focus on still water breeding species, their habitat needs and egg mass identification characteristics. To register for this workshop, or for additional information, visit www.streamteam.info, click on Get Involved, select Calendar, and then click on “Register”. Staff contact: Michelle Stevie at mstevie@ci.olympia.wa.us
7-9 pm – Seed Swap and Potluck
(GRuB: 2016 Elliott Ave NW; Olympia 98502) The Olympia Seed Exchange is celebrating National Seed Swap Day by hosting a seed swap and potluck! All are welcome to come, whether you have seeds to share or not! Please bring a dish to share, including a piece of paper listing your ingredients for people with allergies or vegetarian/vegan/localvores. Also please bring a plate, glass, and silverware from home for you to enjoy your food on! For questions about this event, please email olympiaseeds@yahoo.com or find us on Facebook.
Saturday, January 25
9 am – noon – Powell Pastures Planting
(near Yelm) Join Nisqually Land Trust for work party to benefit wildlife habitat near the Nisqually River! Coffee, water, and some light snacks will be provided; please bring a water bottle and anything else you might need. Work parties are rain or shine. Bring layers, raingear, and close-toed shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty. All minors MUST be accompanied by a parent or guardian. To register and get directions, go to www.nisquallylandtrust.org/events.php and click on the event. For more information, contact Cris Peck (AmeriCorps Volunteer Coordinator, Nisqually Land Trust) at 360-489-3400 ext. 106 or at www.nisquallylandtrust.org.
Sunday, January 26
Winter Twig Identification Workshops
Add a new dimension to your winter outings when you join local plant experts to learn the secrets to identifying local shrubs and trees without their leaves. The Native Plant Salvage Foundation is offering Winter Twig Identification, a 2.5-hour field class held at a West Olympia-area nature trail. Choose either a morning class from 10 am to 12:30 pm, or an afternoon session from 1:00 to 3:30 pm. Advanced registration is required to receive full details and directions. Contact the WSU Extension Native Plant Salvage Project at nativeplantsalvage@gmail.com or 360-867-2166. You can also register online and see more information at www.nativeplantsalvage.org.
Tuesday, January 28
9 am – 3 pm – South Sound Prairie work party
(South Thurston County) Dress for the weather, and bring along a box lunch, gloves and plenty of water. For more information, contact ssvolunteers@cnlm.org. Sponsored by the Center for Natural Lands Management.
Wednesday, January 29
9 am – noon – Powell Pastures Planting and Tube Pull
(near Yelm) Join Nisqually Land Trust for work party to benefit wildlife habitat near the Nisqually River! Coffee, water, and some light snacks will be provided; please bring a water bottle and anything else you might need. Work parties are rain or shine. Bring layers, raingear, and close-toed shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty. All minors MUST be accompanied by a parent or guardian. To register and get directions, go to www.nisquallylandtrust.org/events.php and click on the event. For more information, contact Cris Peck (AmeriCorps Volunteer Coordinator, Nisqually Land Trust) at 360-489-3400 ext. 106 or at www.nisquallylandtrust.org.
9:30 am – 12 pm – Margaret McKenny Park Work Party
(Olympia) Come on out to help us re-establish the walking trail in this neighborhood park. The focus of this work party will be to remove sod and spruce up the trails in 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 Mike Baker with City of Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation at mbaker@ci.olympia.wa.us or at 360.753.8365, or go to www.olympiawa.gov/parkvolunteer. Margaret McKenny is located at 3111 21st Ave SE.
Friday, January 31
6:30-8:30 pm – Black Hills Audubon Society class: More than Just Gulls
Puget Sound is one of the richest areas for gull diversity in the country. Come learn how to appreciate them more than “just gulls”. The class is taught by Matt Pike, who not only knows gulls, but loves them! The lecture component will be held at the Coach House behind the Washington State Capital Museum. Cost is $10. Preregistration is appreciated. To preregister or for additional questions, contact Shelley Horn at shelleysmail@me.com.
Saturday, February 1
7:30 am – Birding at Woodard Bay NRCA
(Olympia) Want to get a head start on your weekend? Join the Black Hills Audubon Society for Birding and Breakfast at 7:30 am to bird with us, and then enjoy breakfast at 9:00 am. Or if you’re a late riser, just join us for breakfast and we’ll give you the run down on what birds are in the area. Beginning birders are welcome. Share what you know, connect, enjoy. We will meet at the parking lot at Woodard Bay Natural Resources Conservation Area (7000 Whitham Rd NE, Olympia, WA) 7:30 am. A Discover Pass is required. Bring a sack breakfast. For more information, contact Leslie Lynam at 360- 402-9513 or Deb Nickerson at 360-754-5397.
8:00 am – 2:00 pm – Birding field trip to Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
Celebrate the end of duck-hunting season with Nisqually’s famous and faithful guide Phil Kelley. Not only will there be abundant waterfowl of all kinds, but local and very early migrant songbirds and other species may be filtering in and tuning up their courting and nesting songs and behaviors. Dress for the weather, and bring water and snacks or lunch. Be prepared to walk up to four miles, as the boardwalk’s entire length will be open. The Refuge has a $3.00 entrance fee, which is waived if you have a Golden Eagle Pass, federal interagency pass, or other applicable pass.
9:00 am – 12:00 pm – Nisqually Land Trust 2014 Site-Steward Workshop
Are wild places important to you? Do you want to help take care of the special places you love? This is an opportunity to learn about Nisqually Land Trust’s volunteer stewardship program, best practices, and meet current stewards. If you are already a Site Steward, attend to network, share ideas, organize projects, and get answers to questions about the program! Coffee, tea, and light snacks will be provided. RSVP for directions and so we have an idea of how many people will be attending, by going to https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07e8oqywon9ad59d6c, or by going to www.nisquallylandtrust.org/events.php and click on the event. If you have additional questions, contact Cris Peck (AmeriCorps Volunteer Coordinator, Nisqually Land Trust) at 360-489-3400 ext. 106 or at www.nisquallylandtrust.org.
9:30 am – 3:30 pm – Native Plant Salvage
(Olympia) Volunteers with the Native Plant Salvage Project rescue small native trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants from local areas that are scheduled to be bulldozed for development. We then transport the salvaged plants to our plant nursery, where volunteers pot the salvaged plants and place them in holding beds. The salvaged plants are later provided to community groups who use them to restore habitat and improve water quality, and to support NPSP-sponsored projects such as Learning Landscapes, Demonstration Gardens and habitat restoration projects in and around Thurston County. Volunteers also can salvage plants for home landscaping projects. Salvages begin at 9:30 am at the site. We usually finish salvaging around noon, at which point a hot vegetarian lunch is provided. Afterwards, we move to our holding beds to pot the recovered plants around 1 pm until about 3:30 pm. Some volunteers choose to work all day, while others join us for the afternoon re-potting session. To register and get directions, email nativeplantsalvage@gmail.com.
10 am – 1 pm – Priest Point Park Work Party
(Olympia) Join us for this fun-filled restoration event. We will team up with members of Stream team to re-plant the new Mission Creek restoration site. Priest Point Park is located at 2600 East Bay Drive NE; meet near the playground. 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 Mike Baker with City of Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation at mbaker@ci.olympia.wa.us or at 360.753.8365, or go to www.olympiawa.gov/parkvolunteer.
Sunday, February 2
1:30 – 3 pm – class: Winter Gardening
(Olympia) This class will give participants an opportunity for learning how to eat heartily right out of their own gardens throughout the winter months. With example veggies from the instructor’s garden, the possibilities for winter crops will be explored. You will learn what crops grow or ‘keep’ in the ground through the winter in our region, planning & preparatory tips, as well as develop a clear picture of the all-important schedules of when to plant. You’ll walk away knowing the basics enough to try your hand at next year’s winter garden. For location and to register, go to www.olympiafood.coop/classes. (Why include cooking classes on a list of environmental events? Because learning to cook can greatly reduce the ecological footprint of your food—and it connects you to the sources of your food!)
Tuesday, February 4
9 am – 3 pm – South Sound Prairie work party
(South Thurston County) Dress for the weather, and bring along a box lunch, gloves and plenty of water. For more information, contact ssvolunteers@cnlm.org. Sponsored by the Center for Natural Lands Management.
Wednesday, February 5
9 am – noon – Red Salmon Creek-McBride Ivy and Scotch Broom Pull
(near Lacey) Join Nisqually Land Trust for work party to benefit wildlife habitat near the Nisqually River! Coffee, water, and some light snacks will be provided; please bring a water bottle and anything else you might need. Work parties are rain or shine. Bring layers, raingear, and close-toed shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty. All minors MUST be accompanied by a parent or guardian. To register and get directions, go to www.nisquallylandtrust.org/events.php and click on the event. For more information, contact Cris Peck (AmeriCorps Volunteer Coordinator, Nisqually Land Trust) at 360-489-3400 ext. 106 or at www.nisquallylandtrust.org.
6 – 9 pm – Naturescaping for Water & Wildlife
(LOTT WET Science Center, 500 Adams St NE, Olympia) Winter is a good time to make a landscaping plan. Learn how to turn your yard into a lovely year-round landscape that attracts birds, butterflies and amphibians, while using less water. Attend this workshop and learn: planting for four-season interest; landscaping for tricky areas like slopes; easy ways to minimize lawns; water-wise ideas for your landscape; how simple landscape changes can save you time and money. Erica Guttman, WSU Native Plant Salvage Project, will teach the class. To register or for additional information, visit www.streamteam.info, click on Get Involved, select Calendar, and then click on “Register”. There will be an optional follow-up class on Thursday, March 6, that will enable participants to receive a free planting-plan consultation!
Thursday, February 6
7:30 – 8:45 pm – Diana Hammond on Friday’s Harbor and Keiko, The Killer Whale
(Olympia Timberland Library) With the release of the controversial documentary film “Blackfish”, the captivity of killer whales (orcas) has become a hot-button topic. Novelist Diane Hammond will give a slide presentation about her experience as killer whale Keiko’s press secretary in the late 1990’s and how it inspired her latest novel, Friday’s Harbor. Nolan Harvey, a marine mammal expert who directed Keiko’s rehabilitation, will also be present. Free. Hammond’s book will be available for purchase.
Friday, February 7
7:00 – 9:00 pm – Ocean Acidification and Fish: It’s not All about the clams.
(LOTT Water Education (WET) Science Center: 500 NE Adams; Olympia) Speaker: Scott Steltzner, Fisheries Biologist, Squaxin Island Tribe. Scott Steltzner has been a fisheries biologist with the Squaxin Island Tribe for the past nine years. Research interests include early marine survival of salmonids and assessment of nearshore habitats. He holds a degree in marine biology from San Diego State University. Free and open to the public. Doors open at 6:30 pm. Sponsored by South Sound Estuary Association. For more information, please contact Leihla at at 360-888-0565 or leihla@sseacenter.org.
Saturday, February 8
9 am – noon – Ohop/Grauwen Planting
(near Eatonville) Join Nisqually Land Trust for work party to benefit wildlife habitat near the Nisqually River! Coffee, water, and some light snacks will be provided; please bring a water bottle and anything else you might need. Work parties are rain or shine. Bring layers, raingear, and close-toed shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty. All minors MUST be accompanied by a parent or guardian. To register and get directions, go to www.nisquallylandtrust.org/events.php and click on the event. For more information, contact Cris Peck (AmeriCorps Volunteer Coordinator, Nisqually Land Trust) at 360-489-3400 ext. 106 or at www.nisquallylandtrust.org.
9 – noon (?) – Woodland Trail Greenway work party
Join the Woodland Trail Greenway Association for a work party planting trees and taming weeds and brush. Bring work gloves (we have some to use), dress for rain or shine (it’s WA state!), bring a sack lunch (we have snacks and water) and any favorite tools (we have lots of tools to use). To confirm the time and get the meeting place, go to www.woodlandtrail.org.
2 – 4:30 pm – cooking class: Creating Delicious Flavor Profiles
Much of what makes someone’s cooking special lies in the seasoning. In this class we will look at how to create unique and well-rounded flavor profiles. Learn about herbs, spices, vinegars and other ingredients that add flavor to a dish. We will sample different seasonings, cover basics of how and when to add flavoring ingredients, taste prepared dishes, and come up with our own creation together. Come away from this class with an increased confidence in your own creativity and a solid foundation in seasoning basics from which to explore. For location and to register, go to www.olympiafood.coop/classes. (Why include cooking classes on a list of environmental events? Because learning to cook can greatly reduce the ecological footprint of your food—and it connects you to the sources of your food!)
Sunday, February 9
2:30 – 4:30 pm – cooking class: Cooking Grains for Maximum Nutrition
Whole grains contain many beneficial vitamins and minerals but unless they are properly prepared your body may not be able to use those nutrients. In this class we will learn to prepare grains in traditional ways by soaking, sprouting, and fermenting to make all those valuable nutrients available to nourish you and your family. For location and to register, go to www.olympiafood.coop/classes. (Why include cooking classes on a list of environmental events? Because learning to cook can greatly reduce the ecological footprint of your food—and it connects you to the sources of your food!)
Monday, February 10
7 pm – Ecological Integrity Monitoring of WDFW Wildlife Areas
(Washington State Capitol Museum Coach House: 211 21st Avenue SW; Olympia 98501) The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) manages close to 1 million acres of land ranging from coastal marshes to arid sagebrush-steppe. Join WDFW biologists Matt Vander Haegen and John Pierce as they describe a new and innovative project aimed at monitoring the ecological integrity of these lands into an uncertain future. The Ecological Integrity Monitoring Project is using a multitude of data sources at various scales, from satellite imagery in computer applications to citizen science volunteers collecting field data with GPS and smart phones, to track our valuable resources. Scatter Creek Wildlife Area near Littlerock is one of our pilot areas for the project where volunteers are monitoring our rare oak-woodland and prairie communities. The presentation will outline the goals of the project, introduce you to the methods used by staff and citizen scientists in collecting data in the field, and share the project’s vision for incorporating citizen science as a key element of the overall project. You’ll also learn how you can put your botany skills to work while enjoying time in the field by joining the citizen science volunteers, students, and mentors who participate in the project. Sponsored by the South Sound Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society. Open to the public and free of charge. For more information go to www.southsoundchapterwnps.org.
Tuesday, February 11
9 am – 3 pm – South Sound Prairie work party
(South Thurston County) Dress for the weather, and bring along a box lunch, gloves and plenty of water. For more information, contact ssvolunteers@cnlm.org. Sponsored by the Center for Natural Lands Management.
7-9 am – Capitol Land Trust’s 10th Annual Conservation Breakfast
(Marcus Pavilion at St. Martin’s University) Join us for breakfast as we celebrate conservation leaders from throughout southwest Washington and raise vital funds for our work. This year Capitol Land Trust will honor Washington’s land trusts and their collective work to conserve land and water for future generations across the diverse landscapes of Washington. The event and breakfast is FREE and all are welcome—whether you are able to help out CLT financially or just want to learn more about what CLT and other land trusts are doing. We also need your help in the following ways: be an event sponsor and help cover the costs of hosting the breakfast; be a table captain and fill a table with 8 of your friends and colleagues; volunteer to help with the logistics of putting on this wonderful event; or just spread the word and plan on attending! You can attend the breakfast even if you are not part of an organized table: just give us a call or send an e-mail and we’ll be happy to seat you with other interesting folks. If you’re interested in being a sponsor, table captain or volunteer for the Conservation Breakfast, please contact Alison at alison@capitollandtrust.org. To attend, RSVP to Alison at alison@capitollandtrust.org or to your Table Captain. For more information contact Alison Beglin at alison@capitollandtrust.org or (360) 943-3012.
Wednesday, February 12
9 am – noon – Ohop/Grauwen Planting
(near Eatonville) Join Nisqually Land Trust for work party to benefit wildlife habitat near the Nisqually River! Coffee, water, and some light snacks will be provided; please bring a water bottle and anything else you might need. Work parties are rain or shine. Bring layers, raingear, and close-toed shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty. All minors MUST be accompanied by a parent or guardian. To register and get directions, go to www.nisquallylandtrust.org/events.php and click on the event. For more information, contact Cris Peck (AmeriCorps Volunteer Coordinator, Nisqually Land Trust) at 360-489-3400 ext. 106 or at www.nisquallylandtrust.org.
7 pm – Photographing the Wildflowers of Mount Rainier National Park
(Tacoma Nature Center: 1919 South Tyler Street; Tacoma 98405) Virtually in our backyard, Mount Rainier National Park has long been considered one of the best places on earth to view and photograph wildflowers. Photographer Donovan Tracy has developed his skills through hundreds of days in the field and will share what he’s learned photographing at Mt. Rainier Park. Techniques covered in his presentation are suited both for novice photographers to serious amateur photographers who desire to more thoroughly study and photograph plants in their natural environment. Some of the topics covered will be light and exposure, composition, considerations for a plant study, and close-up photography. Donovan will also review one of the wildflower hikes that he has featured on his web site. Sponsored by the South Sound Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society. Open to the public and free of charge. For more information go to www.southsoundchapterwnps.org.
7:30 – 9:30 pm – (film) A Fierce Green Fire: The Battle for a Living Planet
(Olympia Timberland Library) The first big-picture exploration of the environmental movement and grassroots and global activism spans 50 years from conservation to climate change. Directed and written by Mark Kitchell, Academy-Award nominated director of Berkeley in the Sixties, and narrated by Robert Redford, Meryl Streep, Ashley Judd, Van Jones and Isabel Allende, the film premiered at Sundance Film Festival 2012 and has won acclaim at dozens of festivals around the world. Kitchell will be present via Skype for a Q&A with the audience after the film. Free!
Thursday, February 13
7-9 pm – presentation: Washington Wildlife Diversity Division
(First Christian Church: 701 Franklin Street SE; Olympia 98507) Eric Gardner, Wildlife Diversity Division Manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), will give an overview of current resources and conservation challenges of the division. He will talk about ongoing and developing conservation efforts, and the state’s plans for revising the State Wildlife Action Plan. Eric will also provide an update on a developing citizen science program, a program to develop a Washington Portal that will allow Washington’s birders to upload data to eBird in such a way that it may also be used for conservation management purposes by WDFW. Arrive at 7:00 pm to socialize; the program will begin promptly at 7:30. Free and open to the public.
February 14-17 (Fri-Mon): The Great Backyard Bird Count
GBBC is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of winter bird populations. Participants are asked to count birds for as little as 15 minutes (or as long as they wish) on one or more days of the event and report their sightings online at www.birdcount.org. Anyone can take part in the Great Backyard Bird Count, from beginning bird watchers, to experts. On the web site, participants can explore real-time maps and charts that show what others are reporting during and after the count. It’s free, fun, and easy. Each checklist submitted during the GBBC helps researchers at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society learn more about how birds are doing, and how to protect them and the environment we share. Last year, participants turned in more than 134,000 online checklists, creating the world’s largest instantaneous snapshot of bird populations ever recorded!
Friday, February 14
9:30 am – 3:30 pm – Native Plant Salvage
(Olympia) Volunteers with the Native Plant Salvage Project rescue small native trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants from local areas that are scheduled to be bulldozed for development. We then transport the salvaged plants to our plant nursery, where volunteers pot the salvaged plants and place them in holding beds. The salvaged plants are later provided to community groups who use them to restore habitat and improve water quality, and to support NPSP-sponsored projects such as Learning Landscapes, Demonstration Gardens and habitat restoration projects in and around Thurston County. Volunteers also can salvage plants for home landscaping projects. Salvages begin at 9:30 am at the site. We usually finish salvaging around noon, at which point a hot vegetarian lunch is provided. Afterwards, we move to our holding beds to pot the recovered plants around 1 pm until about 3:30 pm. Some volunteers choose to work all day, while others join us for the afternoon re-potting session. To register and get directions, email nativeplantsalvage@gmail.com.
Saturday, February 15, 2014
9 am – noon – Ohop Creek Restoration NatureMapping Field Trip
The South Sound Salmon Enhancement Group, Nisqually Indian Tribe, Nisqually Land Trust and its partners have joined together to restore the creek through the Ohop Valley to its original meandering pathway. Northwest Trek is helping with the habitat restoration efforts by providing data collection and monitoring of the wildlife in the project area—using citizen-scientists to help collect data. This event is free, and you do not need to have NatureMapping experience. Participants should come dressed for the weather and for walking in tall grass and in wet environments on uneven surfaces. To sign up or get more information, contact Jessica Moore at 360.832.7160 or at Jessica.Moore@nwtrek.org.
Tuesday, February 18
9 am – 3 pm – South Sound Prairie work party
(South Thurston County) Dress for the weather, and bring along a box lunch, gloves and plenty of water. For more information, contact ssvolunteers@cnlm.org. Sponsored by the Center for Natural Lands Management.
Wednesday, February 19
9 am – noon – Powell Uplands Planting
(near Yelm) Join Nisqually Land Trust for work party to benefit wildlife habitat near the Nisqually River! Coffee, water, and some light snacks will be provided; please bring a water bottle and anything else you might need. Work parties are rain or shine. Bring layers, raingear, and close-toed shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty. All minors MUST be accompanied by a parent or guardian. To register and get directions, go to www.nisquallylandtrust.org/events.php and click on the event. For more information, contact Cris Peck (AmeriCorps Volunteer Coordinator, Nisqually Land Trust) at 360-489-3400 ext. 106 or at www.nisquallylandtrust.org.
6:30 pm – Citizen Science in Environmentalism: What Can YOU Do?
(LOTT’s WET Science Center: 500 Adams Street NE; Olympia 98501) Presented by Laura James (Videographer, Beneath the Looking Glass, LLC) and Janna Nichols (Outreach Coordinator, REEF Environmental Education Foundation). Join us and hear about their unique perspectives on engaging people in water quality issues such as working with divers for Jana and some of the film work Laura does in Puget Sound, to show that average folks can make a difference while doing things they love to do already. Puget Sound is in trouble, it is a wonderful and unique place, and we can each help protect and improve it! Free and open to the public. Doors open at 6:30 pm; presentation is from 7:00 to 8:30pm. Sponsored by the South Sound Estuary Association in partnership with the WET Science Center. For more information, contact Leihla at at 360-888-0565 or leihla@sseacenter.org.
Saturday, February 22
9 am – noon – Powell Uplands Planting
(near Yelm) Join Nisqually Land Trust for work party to benefit wildlife habitat near the Nisqually River! Coffee, water, and some light snacks will be provided; please bring a water bottle and anything else you might need. Work parties are rain or shine. Bring layers, raingear, and close-toed shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty. All minors MUST be accompanied by a parent or guardian. To register and get directions, go to www.nisquallylandtrust.org/events.php and click on the event. For more information, contact Cris Peck (AmeriCorps Volunteer Coordinator, Nisqually Land Trust) at 360-489-3400 ext. 106 or at www.nisquallylandtrust.org.
10 am – 2 pm – Fascinating World of Lichens!
(LOTT WET Science Center: 500 Adams St NE, Olympia) With common names like Fairy Puke and Golden Moon Glow, who wouldn’t be interested in these fascinating organisms? Join Stream Team for our second annual field class with arborist and lichen enthusiast, Micki McNaughton. Lichens are unusual organisms; they are not true plants but a combination of two organisms living symbiotically together, algae and fungus! In this workshop we will learn how these two organisms support each other in a symbiotic relationship to provide for each other’s survival needs. Discover why lichens are ecologically important to the health of our environment, their many uses, and how they are an indicator of air quality. There will be a lecture from 10 am to 12 noon, followed by a field trip to Priest Point Park from 1-2 pm. Micki McNaughton is a Certified Arborist and has a degree in Ecology and Horticulture. She is currently working on an advance degree in Restoration of Natural Systems, as well as working as the Urban Forestry Special Project Coordinator for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. To register for this workshop, or for additional information, visit www.streamteam.info, click on Get Involved, select Calendar, and then click on “Register”. Staff contact: Michelle Stevie at mstevie@ci.olympia.wa.us.
1-5 pm – class: Urban Foraging
This class focuses on the delightful weeds from your yard and garden. Roughly 9 out of 10 of these weeds are delicious, nutritious and fun to cook with. This class will help you to identify many of these plants and show you ways to prepare them. For location and to register, go to www.olympiafood.coop/classes. (Why include cooking classes on a list of environmental events? Because learning to cook can greatly reduce the ecological footprint of your food—and it connects you to the sources of your food!)
Tuesday, February 25
9 am – 3 pm – South Sound Prairie work party
(South Thurston County) Dress for the weather, and bring along a box lunch, gloves and plenty of water. For more information, contact ssvolunteers@cnlm.org. Sponsored by the Center for Natural Lands Management.
Wednesday, February 26
9 am – noon – Wilcox Flats-Pierce County Tube Pull and Cleanup
(near Yelm) Join Nisqually Land Trust for work party to benefit wildlife habitat near the Nisqually River! Coffee, water, and some light snacks will be provided; please bring a water bottle and anything else you might need. Work parties are rain or shine. Bring layers, raingear, and close-toed shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty. All minors MUST be accompanied by a parent or guardian. To register and get directions, go to www.nisquallylandtrust.org/events.php and click on the event. For more information, contact Cris Peck (AmeriCorps Volunteer Coordinator, Nisqually Land Trust) at 360-489-3400 ext. 106 or at www.nisquallylandtrust.org.
Thursday, February 27
6:00-9:15 pm – Beyond Landscaping: Planting to Protect and Restore Shoreline Property
(City of Lacey Jacob Smith House, 4500 Intelco Loop SE, Lacey) If you live along a stream, lake or Puget Sound, this workshop is for you! Living next to water is a special place and requires unique landscaping methods and approaches. Attend this workshop to learn how to improve the habitat, stability and beauty of your shoreline. This workshop is especially tailored for shoreline property owners. Topics include managing invasive species, choosing the right plants for revegetation, erosion and geese control, tree care and view maintenance, and how to make an affordable action and planting plan. Learn from each other: with other shoreline property owners in attendance, the conversation and question and answer may give you landscaping tips and strategies for your property! To register for this workshop and field class, or for additional information, visit www.streamteam.info, click on Get Involved, select Calendar, and then click on “Register”. There will be an optional follow-up class on Saturday, March 15, that will enable participants to meet with experts to review and discuss landscape plans for their own properties: see details below.
Friday, February 28
1 – 4 pm – Twin Rivers Ranch Work Party
(Olympia) Capitol Land Trust is ramping up our second phase of restoration efforts on this beautiful Oakland bay shoreline property. Come help restore the tidal Sitka spruce forests and wetland habitat. A great chance to visit this unique and special place! To sign up and receive directions, email info@capitollandtrust.org. All are welcome; no experience is necessary.
Saturday, March 1
7:30 am – Birding near Tumwater Historical Park
Want to get a head start on your weekend? Join the Black Hills Audubon Society for Birding and Breakfast. Bird with us, and then enjoy breakfast at a local restaurant—or if you’re a late riser, just join us for breakfast and we’ll give you the run down on what birds are in the area. Beginning birders are welcome. Share what you know, connect, enjoy. No expert guide. We will meet at Tumwater Historical Park (777 Simmons Ln SW, Tumwater 98501) at 7:30 am. (Go north from Falls Terrace Restaurant towards Olympia on Deschutes Parkway for about .2 miles and take the unmarked road between Henderson House Museum and Crosby Road, down to the river.) We will meet at 9 am for breakfast at Rivers Edge Restaurant at the Tumwater Golf Course (4611 Tumwater Valley Drive SE, Tumwater). For more information, contact Leslie Lynam at 360- 402-9513 or Deb Nickerson at 360-754-5397.
9 – noon (??) – Chehalis Western Trail work party
Join the Woodland Trail Greenway Association for a work party planting trees and taming weeds and brush. Bring work gloves (we have some to use), dress for rain or shine (it’s WA state!), bring a sack lunch (we have snacks and water) and any favorite tools (we have lots of tools to use). To confirm the time and meeting place, go to www.woodlandtrail.org.
Black Hills Audubon Society Annual Dinner and Silent Auction
(More information upcoming)
Sunday, March 2
9:30 am – 3:30 pm – Native Plant Salvage
(Olympia) Volunteers with the Native Plant Salvage Project rescue small native trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants from local areas that are scheduled to be bulldozed for development. We then transport the salvaged plants to our plant nursery, where volunteers pot the salvaged plants and place them in holding beds. The salvaged plants are later provided to community groups who use them to restore habitat and improve water quality, and to support NPSP-sponsored projects such as Learning Landscapes, Demonstration Gardens and habitat restoration projects in and around Thurston County. Volunteers also can salvage plants for home landscaping projects. Salvages begin at 9:30 am at the site. We usually finish salvaging around noon, at which point a hot vegetarian lunch is provided. Afterwards, we move to our holding beds to pot the recovered plants around 1 pm until about 3:30 pm. Some volunteers choose to work all day, while others join us for the afternoon re-potting session. To register and get directions, email nativeplantsalvage@gmail.com.
Thursday, March 6
6 – 9 pm – Naturescaping for Water & Wildlife, Part 2: Landscape Plans
This optional follow-up to the February 5th Naturescaping for Water & Wildlife class will enable participants to receive a free planting-plan consultation! Bring your draft landscape plan and have it reviewed by local experts who can answer specific questions about your landscape and plant choices, and give their expert advice! Work on and/ or revise your plan during this workshop. Prior participation in the February 5th Naturescaping workshop is required. Erica Guttman, WSU Native Plant Salvage Project, will teach the class. To register for this workshop, or for additional information, visit www.streamteam.info, click on Get Involved, select Calendar, and then click on “Register”.
Sunday, March 9
2-4:30 pm – cooking class: Introduction to Greens
Adding hearty greens to your diet is one of the simplest (and cheapest) ways to improve your nutrition. Once you get the hang of cooking with greens, it is easy to add them to your everyday meals, and you may even find yourself looking for recipes that feature them. Come join Erin in this fun and accessible introduction to cooking with greens. We will go over basic selection and preparation tips and make four dishes that feature hearty greens including kale, collard greens, and chard. For location and to register, go to www.olympiafood.coop/classes. (Why include cooking classes on a list of environmental events? Because learning to cook can greatly reduce the ecological footprint of your food—and it connects you to the sources of your food!)
Monday, March 10
7 pm – Burning for Butterflies: Using fire as a restoration tool for rare species habitat
(Washington State Capitol Museum Coach House: 211 21st Avenue SW; Olympia 98501) For two decades, a growing collaborative effort has been aimed at restoring rare prairie habitat in the Puget Lowlands. A large part of this effort has involved restoring one of the most important native processes to this landscape: fire. The South Sound prescribed fire program has steadily expanded over the years, both in capacity and in knowledge about this restoration tool. In this talk, Sarah Hamman will discuss the evolution of the fire program and how it’s being used today to strategically restore habitat for a wide suite of prairie species, including fire sensitive butterflies. Sponsored by the South Sound Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society. Open to the public and free of charge. For more information go to www.southsoundchapterwnps.org.
Wednesday, March 12
7 pm – Trees Live Here: Visiting America’s Arboretums
(Tacoma Nature Center: 1919 South Tyler Street; Tacoma 98405) Based upon her visits to 33 of the country’s arboretums, Susan McDougall will present a photographic and textual exploration of these special “places for trees.” Besides introducing a selection of these arboretums, her talk will give special emphasis to the work being done by modern arboretums to present their native trees and other plants in ecosystem settings. Sponsored by the South Sound Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society. Open to the public and free of charge. For more information go to www.southsoundchapterwnps.org.
Saturday, March 15
9 – noon (??) – Chehalis Western Trail work party
Join the Woodland Trail Greenway Association for a work party planting trees and taming weeds and brush. Bring work gloves (we have some to use), dress for rain or shine (it’s WA state!), bring a sack lunch (we have snacks and water) and any favorite tools (we have lots of tools to use). To confirm the time and meeting place, go to www.woodlandtrail.org.
10 am – 2:30 pm – Beyond Landscaping, Part 2: Landscape Plans
Participants who develop their own landscape plan for their shoreline property after the February 27th Beyond Landscaping class will have a chance to meet with experts to review and discuss their landscape plan. Following the plan review, the class will travel to a field site for a hands-on session on slope-planting techniques, including how to plant fascines and live stakes on a steep-slope site, as well as other practices to minimize impact and maximize stability! To attend this workshop you must have attended the February 27th Beyond Landscaping class and register separately for this class. To register or for additional information, visit www.streamteam.info, click on Get Involved, select Calendar, and then click on “Register”.
Wednesday, March 19
6:30 pm – Waterbirds & Shorebirds of Puget Sound: Observations from the Field
(LOTT’s WET Science Center: 500 Adams Street NE; Olympia 98501) Phil Kelley and Whittier Johnson, Black Hills Audubon Society. Doors open at 6:30 pm; presentation is from 7-8:30pm. Sponsored by the South Sound Estuary Association in partnership with the WET Science Center. For more information, contact Leihla at at 360-888-0565 or leihla@sseacenter.org.
Saturday, March 22
9 am – noon — Powell Pasture NatureMapping Field Trips
(Yelm) The Nisqually Land Trust is seeking wildlife data on this property on the Nisqually River. The Powell Pasture site is in the Yelm area and has been recently planted in efforts to restore the natural habitat for wildlife use along the River. The event is free, and does not require previous NatureMapping experience. Participants should dress 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 get more information, contact Jessica Moore at 360.832.7160 or at Jessica.Moore@nwtrek.org.
Sunday, March 23
2-4:30 pm – cooking class: Basic Sauces
A sauce can be the crowning glory of any dish. There are hundreds of variations of sauce that are used to dress, compliment enhance and bring out the flavor of the food it is served with. Come and learn to make a few basic sauces and make them your own. They will add a new dynamic to your kitchen repertoire! We will make Roasted Garlic Aioli, Bechamel, Classic Cocktail, Cheddar Mustard and Spicy Jamaican Jerk Dipping Sauce. For location and to register, go to www.olympiafood.coop/classes. (Why include cooking classes on a list of environmental events? Because learning to cook can greatly reduce the ecological footprint of your food—and it connects you to the sources of your food!)
Saturday, April 5
7:30 am – Birding along McLane Nature Area Trail
(Olympia) Want to get a head start on your weekend? Join the Black Hills Audubon Society for Birding and Breakfast. Bird with us, and then enjoy breakfast at a local restaurant—or if you’re a late riser, just join us for breakfast and we’ll give you the run down on what birds are in the area. Beginning birders are welcome. Share what you know, connect, enjoy. No expert guide. We will meet at 7:30 am at McLane Nature Area Trail (DNR) on Delphi Road (meet at trailhead parking area). We will meet at 9 am for breakfast at Top Food’s Food Court, Shipwreck Café, or group’s choice. For more information, contact Leslie Lynam at 360- 402-9513 or Deb Nickerson at 360-754-5397.
8 am – 5:00 pm—Ohop Creek Restoration NatureMapping Field Trip
The South Sound Salmon Enhancement Group, Nisqually Indian Tribe, Nisqually Land Trust and its partners have joined together to restore the creek through the Ohop Valley to its original meandering pathway. Northwest Trek is helping with the habitat restoration efforts by providing data collection and monitoring of the wildlife in the project area—using citizen-scientists to help collect data. Today’s event will be a “mini-bioblitz”, with two 4-hour shifts and a 1-hour lunch in between. This event is free, and you do not need to have NatureMapping experience. Participants should come dressed for the weather and for walking in tall grass and in wet environments on uneven surfaces. To sign up or get more information, contact Jessica Moore at 360.832.7160 or at Jessica.Moore@nwtrek.org.
April 9
7 pm – Pierce College Oak Woodland Restoration: Learning, teaching, and partnerships
(Tacoma Nature Center: 1919 South Tyler Street; Tacoma 98405) In an effort to restore a Garry oak woodland ecosystem near Pierce College and Fort Steilacoom Park, educators and multigenerational students have become involved in environmental stewardship. Elysia Mbuja, Assistant Professor at Pierce College, will discuss how the restoration project began 5 years ago, the progression of the project, how strategies have changed, and about the challenges that are yet to be solved. The logistics of partnering with an elementary school will also be discussed. Sponsored by the South Sound Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society. Open to the public and free of charge. For more information go to www.southsoundchapterwnps.org.
April 14
7 pm – Shrubsteppe: the Richest of our Paupers
(Washington State Capitol Museum Coach House: 211 21st Avenue SW; Olympia 98501) Shrubsteppe is a community that once carpeted a majority of the surface of what came to be the state of Washington. So rich in life that it would make a mature redwood forest look like the inside of a burial crypt, it is now reduced to an impoverishment of its former distribution. First described and most studied by our state’s preeminent plant ecologist, Rexford Daubenmire, remnants of it still exist. Little known and widely abused, shrubsteppe needs a makeover in terms of what is known of its botanical and zoological value; it deserves much more respect than it currently enjoys. Dr. Steven Herman fell in love with this landscape, after hearing a lecture by Professor Daubenmire in 1974 and soon thereafter bought 80 acres of it in Southeastern Oregon where he installed the infrastructure for a field station. Now protected from sundry insults for 30 years, it stands out clearly, healthy in a sea of the infirm. As a professor at Evergreen, Steve taught “The Natural History and Conservation of Shrubsteppe,” taking students into the field to study shrubsteppe for weeks at a time. Now a professor Emeritus at Evergreen, he continues to teach summer courses at the college. In this presentation he will tell stories related to his shrubsteppe experiences. But perhaps his highest goal will be to convince you (in part through his beautiful photographs) that this is a landscape of great beauty and natural history interest, worthy of your attention and that of land managers across the American West—a landscape of elegance and poetic beauty. Sponsored by the South Sound Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society. Open to the public and free of charge. For more information go to www.southsoundchapterwnps.org.
Thursday, April 24
6:30 – 8:30 pm – Let It Soak In: Rain Garden Workshop
(LOTT WET Center Board Room: 500 Adams St NE, Olympia) Thinking about adding a rain garden to your landscape? Or wondering what a rain garden is? A rain garden is a great way for you to make a big difference in protecting our local waterways and Puget Sound, while beautifying your yard. Rain gardens are shaped and sized to fit your yard and planted with a variety of flowers, shrubs and ornamental grasses. Rain gardens act like a forest by collecting, absorbing and filtering stormwater runoff from rooftops, driveways, patios and other areas around our homes that do not allow rainwater to soak back into the ground. Attend this hands-on workshop to learn how to add one of these lovely “stormwater” features to your yard. The workshop will give you all the details you need to design and install a beautiful rain garden that will manage your home’s stormwater drainage while protecting our local water resources. Participants will receive a rain garden poster and a copy of WSU’s Rain Garden Handbook for Western Washington. The basic instructional workshop will be followed by an optional session from 8:15 to 9 pm offering assistance creating a rain garden planting plan. The class will be taught by Erica Guttman, who has been a hands-on environmental educator for over 25 years and has been designing, installing, researching, and teaching about rain gardens for over seven years. She has contributed to several rain garden publications and created a 30-minute video, “Building a Rain Garden: Keeping our Pacific Northwest Waters Clean.” She holds an MA in ecological restoration with a focus on the Puget Sound nearshore. To register for this workshop, or for additional information, visit www.streamteam.info, click on Get Involved, select Calendar, and then click on “Register”. (If you live in Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater or Thurston County, a rain garden installation on your property could be eligible for a rebate! Go to www.streamteam.info/actions/raingardens for more information, the guidelines and applications.)
Saturday, April 26th
4-9 pm – 25th Anniversary Conservation Dinner & Auction
(Worthington Conference Center: Lacey, WA) For more information, go to www.nisquallylandtrust.org.
May 12
7 pm – Conserving Oakland Bay
(Washington State Capitol Museum Coach House: 211 21st Avenue SW; Olympia 98501) From tidal Sitka forests to shellfish to oak savannahs, Oakland Bay’s cultural, economic, and ecological significance reaches far deeper than its depth as the shallowest bay in Puget Sound. Guy Maguire from Capitol Land Trust will give a presentation about the work of the local citizens, including Capitol Land Trust, to conserve and restore the special mix of habitats and agriculture that make Oakland Bay unique. Participants will learn about Twin Rivers Ranch, a 133 acre wildlife preserve and historic farm located at the head of Oakland Bay, the site of major restoration work to restore habitat, as well as Oakland Bay Park, a public park with trails and a historic homestead, permanently protected by Capitol Land Trust. Participants will also learn about some exciting new conservation projects, and learn ways that volunteers and citizens can get involved in the effort to protect and restore this local treasure. Sponsored by the South Sound Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society. Open to the public and free of charge. For more information go to www.southsoundchapterwnps.org.
May 14
7 pm – Birds and Native Plants
(Tacoma Nature Center: 1919 South Tyler Street; Tacoma 98405) Everyone knows that birds come to feeders full of seeds. There are a lot of seed-eating birds! But birds relate to our native plants in many more ways than that, both positive and negative, and Dennis Paulson will tell you how in an illustrated lecture. Dennis Paulson, recently retired from being Director of the Slater Museum of Natural History, University of Puget Sound, has been a professional biologist and naturalist all of his adult life. He began studying natural history as a boy and is a world expert on dragonflies and shorebirds. He is the author of nine books, including “Shorebirds of North America” and “Dragonflies and Damselflies of the West”, as well as 90 scientific papers on birds and dragonflies. Sponsored by the South Sound Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society. Open to the public and free of charge. For more information go to www.southsoundchapterwnps.org.
May 17
9 am – noon — Railway Road NatureMapping Field Trip
The Nisqually Land Trust protects over 190 acres along the whitewater reach of the Nisqually River. This 10+ acre wetland just outside of Yelm is a part of a 150-acre riparian forest mosaic perched between the Centralia power canal and the Nisqually River. This event is designed to obtain wildlife data from the site, and is free and does not require previous NatureMapping experience. Participants should dress 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. Rubber boots and walking sticks are advised. To sign up or get more information, contact Jessica Moore at 360.832.7160 or at Jessica.Moore@nwtrek.org.
June 14
9 am – noon —Bragett Parcel NatureMapping Field Trip
The Nisqually Tribe protects this 50+ acre site that is a mixture of estuary, river, forest and meadow, adjacent to the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge. The diverse habitat creates ideal conditions for a wide variety of wildlife. This event is designed to obtain wildlife data from the site, and is free and does not require previous NatureMapping experience. Participants should dress for the weather and for walking in grassy, woody and wetland environments and on uneven surfaces. Rubber boots are advised for portions of the site. To sign up or get more information, contact Jessica Moore at 360.832.7160 or at Jessica.Moore@nwtrek.org.
July 7
9 am – noon — Wilcox Flats NatureMapping and Habitat Restoration Field Trip
The Nisqually Land Trust is looking to gather wildlife data at the Wilcox Flats property, located along the Nisqually River near Roy. This site is vital to salmon recovery efforts along the Nisqually River. The trip will collect baseline data about plants and wildlife in the surrounding habitat, and continue restoration efforts in the meadows and forests along the Nisqually River and side channels. This field trip will consist of data collection, invasive species removal, and weeding and care of new plantings. The event is free, and does not require previous NatureMapping experience. Participants should come dressed for the weather and for walking in grassy and woody environments and on uneven surfaces. To sign up or get more information, contact Jessica Moore at 360.832.7160 or at Jessica.Moore@nwtrek.org.
July 12
9 am – noon—Ohop Creek Restoration NatureMapping Field Trip
The South Sound Salmon Enhancement Group, Nisqually Indian Tribe, Nisqually Land Trust and its partners have joined together to restore the creek through the Ohop Valley to its original meandering pathway. Northwest Trek is helping with the habitat restoration efforts by providing data collection and monitoring of the wildlife in the project area—using citizen-scientists to help collect data. This event is free, and you do not need to have NatureMapping experience. Participants should come dressed for the weather and for walking in tall grass and in wet environments on uneven surfaces. To sign up or get more information, contact Jessica Moore at 360.832.7160 or at Jessica.Moore@nwtrek.org.
September 20
9 am – noon — Powell Creek NatureMapping Field Trip
(Yelm) The Nisqually Land Trust is seeking wildlife data on this property on the Nisqually River. The Powell Creek site is in the Yelm area and has been recently planted in efforts to restore the natural habitat for wildlife use along the River. The event is free, and does not require previous NatureMapping experience. Participants should dress 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 get more information, contact Jessica Moore at 360.832.7160 or at Jessica.Moore@nwtrek.org.
September 6
9 am – noon — Red Salmon Creek NatureMapping Field Trip
The Nisqually Land Trust protects this 25+ acre site near the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge that 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 there is an active beaver population. This event is designed to obtain wildlife data from the site, and is free and does not require previous NatureMapping experience. Participants should dress 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 get more information, contact Jessica Moore at 360.832.7160 or at Jessica.Moore@nwtrek.org.
October 11
9 am – noon—Ohop Creek Restoration NatureMapping Field Trip
The South Sound Salmon Enhancement Group, Nisqually Indian Tribe, Nisqually Land Trust and its partners have joined together to restore the creek through the Ohop Valley to its original meandering pathway. Northwest Trek is helping with the habitat restoration efforts by providing data collection and monitoring of the wildlife in the project area—using citizen-scientists to help collect data. This event is free, and you do not need to have NatureMapping experience. Participants should come dressed for the weather and for walking in tall grass and in wet environments on uneven surfaces. To sign up or get more information, contact Jessica Moore at 360.832.7160 or at Jessica.Moore@nwtrek.org.