See Below
RECURRING EVENTS
Tuesdays: 9 am – 3 pm: South Sound Prairie Restoration Work Party. (See specific dates for details.)
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.)
9 am – noon: Nisqually Land Trust Work Party
(See specific dates for details.)
Thursdays: 10 am – 3 pm – Olympia Farmers’ Market (700 N Capitol Way; Olympia 98501) 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
Saturday, November 9
9 am – noon – Ivy Pull at Red Salmon Creek with the Nisqually Land Trust
Join us at our Red Salmon Creek site in removing English Ivy! It’s a site very close to Olympia on the east side of the Nisqually Delta. 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. RSVP is required for directions: go to http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e8gb3ff935aafda0&llr=jzh7gggab. For more information, contact Cris Peck (AmeriCorps Volunteer Coordinator, Nisqually Land Trust) at 360-489-3400 ext. 106 or at volunteer@nisquallylandtrust.org.
9 am – 12 pm – Friends of Franklin Park Forest Cleanup and Restoration
(Tacoma) Join us for our monthly work party at Franklin Park as we continue working on the wooded area in the northeast portion of the park (forested portion along South 12th Street). We will be pruning low branches on trees, cleaning out the understory, and pulling out invasive plants. Our goal is to develop this portion of the park into a safer and more inviting area for walking and other recreational activities. Tools, snacks, and water will be provided but please bring your own gloves. (South 12th Street and Puget Sound Avenue) For a map, go to https://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=upsgreenspaces@gmail.com.
9 am – 12 pm – Julia’s Gulch Work Party
(Tacoma) We will be cutting and digging up blackberry roots along the road and in the lower Gulch, and weeding in the upper area. We have some tools but if you have a favorite bring it along. Pitch forks, clippers and loppers are good for the blackberries. If you plan to tackle the blackberries wear long sleeves, long pants, heavy gloves and heavy footwear. Please bring your own water but tea and treats will be provided. We will meet at the picnic table overlooking the Gulch. Cars can be parked at View Point Park. For a map, go to https://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=upsgreenspaces@gmail.com.
9 am – 12 pm – Puget Creek Restoration Society Work Party
(Tacoma) Contact Scott Hansen at pugetcreek@yahoo.com or (253) 779-8890 for exact meeting location of the work party.
9 am – 12 pm – Wapato Hills Clean-up Party
(S Wapato St and S 64th St in Tacoma) Join fellow volunteers as work continues to clean-up Wapato Hills Urban Wildlife Habitat. This work party meets on the second Saturday of each month, and is currently removing invasive species and doing general clean-up. For a map, go to https://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=upsgreenspaces@gmail.com.
10:00 am – 1 pm – Garfield Nature Trail work party
(Olympia) Join us as we continue our efforts on this well-loved trail. We plan to focus on improving trail by spreading gravel from Rogers street down towards West Bay. Limited on street parking is available at 620 Rogers 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 Mike Baker with City of Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation at 360.753.8365 or go to www.olympiawa.gov/parkvolunteer.
10 am – 12 pm – Percival Creek Revegetation Project
(near SPSCC) Volunteers are needed to help plant native trees and shrubs and remove invasive weeds. Come dressed for the weather. Waterproof boots helpful, but not required. Tools, gloves and snacks provided. To register, go to www.streamteam.info/getinvolved/calendar. For more information, contact Debbie Smith at dmsmith@ci.tumwater.wa.us or 360-754-4148.
10 am – 3 pm – South Sound Prairie Restoration Work Party
We have roughly 86,000 native prairie plant plugs to get in the ground this month. A significant portion of these plugs will be planted at Tenalquot Prairie today and next Tuesday. We could use as many hands as possible to meet our planting goal for November! As always, please dress for the weather, and bring along a box lunch, GLOVES and plenty of water. Directions from I-5: Take exit 99 and head east on 93rd Street; when 93rd dead-ends onto Old Hwy 99, turn right and head south; turn left at Waldrick Road and continue until it ends at Military Road; turn left and continue until Military Rd meets Rainier Road (at the blinking red light); turn left onto Rainier Road and continue for about half a mile, then turn left off of Rainier Road; follow the gravel road to the gate and park. Directions from Hwy 507: Head north on Rainier Road; after you pass through the blinking yellow lights at Military Road, look for the “Tenalquot Prairie Work Day” sign and turn left off of Rainier Road; follow the gravel road to the gate and park. For more information, contact ssvolunteers@cnlm.org. Sponsored by the Center for Natural Lands Management.
10:00 am – 3:00 pm – Yowkwala planting
(Tacoma) For more information, contact Jeanine Riss at jriss@healthybay.org or call 253.383.2429.
2:00 pm – film: Pandora’s Promise (USA / 82 min)
(Capitol Theater: 206 5th Avenue SE; Olympia 98501) When the subject of nuclear power is broached, such environmental catastrophes as Chernobyl or the Fukushima disaster immediately come to mind. Televised images of widespread environmental devastation and corruption- -exposing films such as The China Syndrome and Silkwood are also hard to erase when it comes to nuclear energy and its negative effects. The documentary Pandora’s Promise seeks to challenge these prejudices with its pro-nuclear energy stance. Through interviews with noted experts and compelling testimonies from those in the scientific field, this topical documentary builds a case for the widespread use of nuclear energy and how it might benefit humankind if utilized properly. Created by an adamant environmentalist, Pandora’s Promise makes the very controversial argument that nuclear power is where we need to find energy. This film is sure to spark major discussion!
2 pm – Water: The Never Ending Story
(LOTT WET Science Center: 500 Adams ST NE, Olympia 98501) Water is all around us and always in motion. Water doesn’t only move on the surface of the Earth, it also moves in the sky and in the ground. Join us for a presentation on the natural and built water cycle. Play our giant dice game, the Amazing Journey, and make a Water Cycle Wheel anytime throughout the day!
Monday, November 11
7 pm – (talk) Cheryl Fimbel: Meet the Pollinators
(Washington State Capitol Museum Coach House: 211 21st Avenue SW; Olympia 98501) Cheryl Fimbel is a wildlife ecologist with the Center for Natural Lands Management. Cheryl’s work for the better part of the last decade has focused on restoring prairie habitat in South Puget Sound for rare butterflies and pollinators. Following a brief overview of the topic of pollination and the role of insects in pollinating plants, Cheryl Fimbel, a wildlife ecologist with the Center for Natural Lands Management, will discuss the biology and natural ecology of pollinators, while highlighting unique aspects of native bees and their relationships to plants and habitat. She will also talk about our native pollinators in the South Sound and show us a collection of pinned specimens from the South Puget Sound Prairies. Free!
Tuesday, November 12
9 am – 3 pm – South Sound Prairie Restoration Work Party
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.
7:00 pm – Olympia Science Café: The Ever-Changing Challenges of Coffee
(Orca Books: 509 E 4th Ave; Olympia) In a world where climate change continues to challenge agricultural products, coffee is no exception. Coffee growers have had to adapt many of their production methods over recent years to combat increased rainfall, temperature, and disease. Some regions that had been regarded as top quality producers are in decline while other areas formerly too dry or too cold are becoming more productive. In response, growers must make carefully calculated choices and decisions on coffee variety and process. By using genetics and technology, growers are striving to produce more coffee while continuing to improve quality. The speaker will be Bob Benck, Green Coffee Buyer at Batdorf and Bronson Coffee Roaster in Olympia. Please join us to learn a little more about something most of us take for granted every day — great coffee!
Wednesday, November 13
10 am – 1 pm – Ivy Pull at Hogum Bay
(Olympia) Join the Nisqually Land Trust for a morning near Puget Sound in removing terribly invasive English Ivy! The ivy has extended into the forests around a small lagoon, and we need your help in removing it. It’s a beautiful site with a great view of the water. 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. RSVP is required for directions: go to https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?llr=jzh7gggab&oeidk=a07e8hgho8m33602ed5. For more information, contact Cris Peck at 360-489-3400 or at volunteer@nisquallylandtrust.org.
6:30 – 9:30 pm – Short Course on Local Planning for Sustainable Development
(Lacey City Council Chambers: 420 College St. SE; Lacey 98503) Join us for a special short course on local planning for sustainable development, and learn about sustainability from a regional and community perspective. Regional leaders will talk about their community’s role in implementing a plan that envisions a more economically, environmentally and socially sustainable future. Hear from cities around the state about how they brought sustainable development to their community. Topics and speakers include:
Why Plan for Sustainability? (Miranda Redinger, Senior Planner, City of Shoreline);
Sustainable Thurston Regional Plan (Jeff Gadman, Sustainable Thurston Task Force, Lacey City Council, and Kathy McCormick, Senior Planner, Thurston Regional Planning Council);
Implementing the Sustainable Thurston Plan (Dennis McVey, Sustainable Thurston Task Force Chair, Rainier City Council; Michael Cade, Executive Director, thurston Economic Development Council; Scott Clark, Planning Director, Thurston County; and John Doan, City Administrator, City of Tumwater);
Sustainability in Action (Shane Hope, Community and Economic Development Director, City of Mountlake Terrace; Lori Peckol, Policy Planning manager, City of Redmond)
RSVP to Linda Weyl at linda.weyl@commerce.wa.gov or at (360) 725-3066
7:00 – 8:30 pm – (talk) New Findings from Research on the Whales and Other Marine Mammals of the Region
(LOTT’s WET Science Center: 500 Adams St. NE, Olympia) The speaker will be John Calambokidis from Cascadia Research Collective. Doors open at 6:30.
7 pm – (talk) David E. Perry: Smartphone Garden Photography
(Tacoma Nature Center: 1919 South Tyler Street; Tacoma 98405) Cameras in smart phones today are miniature wonders. They are nearly always within reach and are delightfully capable of making magical photographs that can quickly and easily be shared. Spend an hour with photographer, longtime blogger and storyteller, David E. Perry as he discusses the amazing potential that smart phone cameras offer. Learn to both master their wonders and sidestep some of their inherent pitfalls. David will show simple processes and tricks to enhance your own smart phone photography and show which apps offer the most zing for a mere $1.99. Free!
Thursday, November 14
7-9 pm – Juan Fernández Islands, Chile: Conserving Threatened Birds
(First Christian Church: 701 Franklin Street SE; Olympia 98507) The Juan Fernández Islands, called the temperate counterpart of the Galápagos Islands, are characterized by a high number of endemic and unique plants and animals. These species have been the focus of a long-term conservation, research, and education program headed by our speaker, Dr. Peter Hodum. Both marine and terrestrial birds are affected by human impacts and may easily become extinct. Dr. Hodum will present an overview of the ecology of the islands. He will discuss the bird species of the archipelago, threats confronting the birds, and grassroots efforts to conserve the islands’ birds. FREE and open to the public. Arrive at 7:00 pm to socialize – the program will begin promptly at 7:30 pm. Sponsored by Black Hills Audubon Society.
Friday, November 15
9 am – 12 pm – Wetland Habitat Restoration work party
(Tacoma Nature Center: 1919 S. Tyler St; Tacoma) Join us for our regular stewardship activities as we care for the park by removing invasive plant species, re-planting areas with native plants and helping those plants thrive. No experience necessary—experienced habitat stewards will guide you through the projects. Come dressed for the weather and prepared to get dirty. Bring your own gloves and gardening gear or use what we provide. All ages are welcome, but children need to be supervised at all times by an adult. Work parties occur rain or shine! Call 253-591-6439 for more information. Go to www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=upsgreenspaces@gmail.com and click on the event to find a map.
Saturday, November 16
6:00 am – after dinner – Black Hills Audubon field trip to Kitsap and Jefferson Counties
Crossing the Narrows Bridge with Port Townsend as the final destination, the day’s emphasis will be water birds arriving for the winter. The first stop along the way will be Gorst; other stops will include Marrowstone Island and Fort Flagler. This trip is intended for hard-core birders. Dress for any type of weather, for it is late fall in the Pacific Northwest. Bring food and snacks. We will be carpooling, and pre-registration is required. For more information, go to http://blackhills-audubon.org/fieldtrips-events.htm.
9 am – 12 pm – McKinley Park Cleanup Work Party
(500 E McKinley Way, Tacoma) Meet down at the new playground and restrooms off of McKinley Ave. Metro Parks will provide all of the necessary tools and equipment. Volunteers need to dress for the weather and have work gloves. Volunteers will be assigned to work in specific areas removing invasive and non-native plants such as English Ivy and blackberry bushes. Go to www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=upsgreenspaces@gmail.com and click on the event to find a map.
9 am – 12 pm – Oak Tree Park Work Party
(Tacoma) Oak Tree Park is a beautiful and unique 25-acre park located off of South 74th and Cedar Streets. It protects a Garry Oak woodland community that has become increasingly rare due to a combination of land development and colonization of invasive species of native trees like Douglas fir. The work at Oak Tree Park on this day will include removal of non-native and invasive plant species, and litter pick-up. Bring sturdy shoes and clothes to get dirty in. Optional: gloves, shovels, rakes, and loppers – some gloves and tools will be provided, but you are encouraged to bring your own if you have them and can bring them. The east entrance to Oak Tree Park is at the north end of Pine Street South. Please meet at the end of Pine Street South in the culdesac. Go to www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=upsgreenspaces@gmail.com and click on the event to find a map.
9 am – noon – Black Hills Audubon Society Class: eBird for Educators
(Harbor House on Percival Landing, northwest of the Olympia Center in downtown Olympia) Would you like to infuse more technology and citizen science into your classroom? eBird may be what you’re looking for. Join us for a free three-hour workshop in which we learn how to use eBird with our students. Discover this database, sponsored by Cornell Institute of Ornithology, and all its potential. After creating an account, data can be entered regularly by you and your students. The scope of data entered by observers all over the world can be analyzed in a number of ways, all at no cost to you, the classroom teacher. We will take you through the site and all its layers, create accounts together, go for a walk, and count birds. We will enter the data after-wards, look at migration patterns of various species, see other tools of the site, and generate ways to use this in your work. Field guides, snacks and lunch will be provided. Appropriate for teachers of all age groups. Space is limited to 22 educators. You must bring a device with you such as laptop or iPad and ability to create an online account if you don’t have one already. Free—but pre-registration is required. Contact Deb Nickerson at debranick@gmail.com to enroll.
9:30 am – 2:30 pm – Swan Creek live staking and mulching
(Tacoma) For more information, contact Jeanine Riss at jriss@healthybay.org or call 253.383.2429.
1 pm – Budd Inlet Treatment Plant Tour
(LOTT WET Science Center: 500 Adams ST NE, Olympia 98501) The Budd Inlet Treatment Plant has been cleaning our wastewater since the early 1950s. Come and learn how we do it! There will be a slideshow, followed by a treatment plant tour. Tour participants must be 10 years or older, dress for outdoor weather, and wear closed-toe, closed-heel shoes.
1:00-2:00 pm – Gluten Free Girl Every Day
(Tumwater Timberland Library) Shauna James Ahern, the author and photographer behind the award-winning blog GlutenFreeGirl.com and the food memoir Gluten-Free Girl is considered one of the most authoritative gluten-free voices on the Internet. She will discuss her new book Gluten-Free Girl Every Day, highlighting healthy, relatively simple meals to feed your family well. Books will be available for purchase at the event. FREE!
2:30 – 5 pm – Cooking class: Pie Making
In this class I will demonstrate how to make a fruit pie. Using a simple recipe you will learn how to make a flaky and delicious pie crust filled with juicy, seasonal fruit. I have a lifetime of pie making experience. 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, November 17
11 am – 1 pm – Chum Salmon and Cider Celebration
(McLane Creek Nature Trail) Enjoy hot cider and snacks while learning from trained Salmon Stewards about the wild spawning chum salmon. For more info., contact Ann Marie at 360-754-3355 ext. 6857 or pearcea@co.thurston.wa.us
2:30 – 5 pm – Cooking class: Hearty Italian Soups
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, November 19
9 am – 3 pm – South Sound Prairie Restoration Work Party
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, November 20
9 am – noon – Ivy Pull at Mashel River with the Nisqually Land Trust
(near Eatonville) To volunteer and get further details, email volunteer@nisquallylandtrust.org.
6:30 – 8:30 pm – Confronting the Climate Crisis
(Olympia Center: 222 Columbia Street NW, in downtown Olympia) Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation’s vigorous group meets on the third Wednesday of each month. For more information, contact Bourtai or Ted at 352-6327 or at climate@olympiafor.org, or go to http://www.olympiafor.org/Climate_Crisis.html.
Saturday, November 23
9 am – 1 pm – Green Cove Creek Habitat Restoration Work-party
(Olympia) Join Capitol Land Trust at their Kaiser property as we plant live willow stakes along the creek. All are welcome; no experience is necessary. Never planted live stakes before? We will teach you! RSVP for directions and more information by emailing info@capitollandtrust.org.
9:00 am – 12 noon – Black Hills Audubon field trip: Downtown Ducks at Capital Lake
Burt Guttman’s Downtown Ducks quests are a beloved tradition in Olympia. Many different ducks, geese, grebes, and the occasional loon or swan, as well as passerines in the trees and shrubs, are possible at Capital Lake in late fall and winter. Meet at the Marathon Park parking lot on Capital Lake. Dress for the weather. Bring snacks and water as needed. This trip is especially oriented toward beginning birders, but all interested folks are welcome.
10 am – 4 pm – Tree-Mendous Trees
(LOTT WET Science Center: 500 Adams ST NE, Olympia 98501) How do trees grow? How can you tell how old they are? How do you identify them? How are they involved in the water cycle? Come find out! Play games, watch a slideshow, and make a tree disc necklace in the classroom anytime throughout the day.
Sunday, November 24
6:30 – 8:30 pm – Cooking class: Sauerkraut 101
Raw fermented sauerkraut tastes amazing and is easy to make with inexpensive, widely available ingredients. It is also rich in probiotic bacteria which improve digestion, regulate the bowels, increase energy levels and support healthy immune function. This class will include a hands-on demonstration and sauerkraut samples. You’ll leave with recipes and instructions so you can confidently create raw fermented sauerkraut in your own kitchen. 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, November 26
9 am – 3 pm – South Sound Prairie Restoration Work Party
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.
Tuesday, December 3
9 am – 3 pm – South Sound Prairie Restoration Work Party
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.
Saturday, December 7
10 am – 1 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.
10 am – 4 pm – Use it Wisely: Conserve Water & Energy
(LOTT WET Science Center: 500 Adams ST NE, Olympia 98501) Come play our giant floor game, The Drip Stops Here, anytime throughout the day. You’ll learn how to conserve water at home, and take home fun prizes. At 2 pm, take the family on a tour of our LEED Platinum certified green building to learn about all of the ways we are conserving water and energy, including how we generate our own electricity using methane from the treatment plant.
Tuesday, December 10
9 am – 3 pm – South Sound Prairie Restoration Work Party
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.
Saturday, December 14
10 am – 4 pm – Ocean Bingo
(LOTT WET Science Center: 500 Adams ST NE, Olympia 98501) Bring the family inside to escape the rain and play a fun and educational game of Ocean Bingo! There are many great prizes for adults and children to win. There will be bingo games and ocean inspired art projects in the classroom all day.
Sunday, December 15
From dawn to dusk, and anywhere in between! – Christmas Bird Count and Chili Feed
During this event, sponsored by Black Hills Audubon Society, volunteers spend the day (or part of the day) in the field counting birds in their group’s assigned count area. Folks new to birding, or those who prefer working with a more experienced birder, will be partnered with veteran group leaders. This is a serious commitment, as well as a whole lot of fun, and it’s a great way for amateurs to become familiar with our local birds. For more information, go to http://blackhills-audubon.org/fieldtrips-events.htm.
Tuesday, December 17
9 am – 3 pm – South Sound Prairie Restoration Work Party
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.
Saturday, December 28
2 pm – Groundwater 101
(LOTT WET Science Center: 500 Adams ST NE, Olympia 98501) Groundwater, aquifers, wells – oh my! This presentation, with hands-on activities, will help you understand what groundwater is, how it can become contaminated, and what you can do to protect it.
Friday, January 3
7:00 – 9:00 pm – Sustainability in Exile and how it relates to Puget Sound
(LOTT Water Education (WET) Science Center: 500 NE Adams; Olympia) Speaker: Jonathan Scherch, Antioch 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.
Sunday, January 5
2:30 – 5 pm – Cooking class: Improve Nutrition in the New Year
Do you want to improve your nutrition in the New Year? Are you looking for ways to add more vegetables and fruits to your diet? Come join Erin and learn to cook five high-fiber, plant-based dishes that you can incorporate into your plans for healthy eating. We will make one breakfast dish, one side dish, two main dishes, and one snack. 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!)
Wednesday, January 8
7 pm – (talk) Know Your Grasses
(Tacoma Nature Center: 1919 South Tyler Street; Tacoma 98405) Grasses are critical to many fields of science and practice, including wetland identification and delineation, ecosystem restoration, erosion control, and interpretation of natural history. Beautiful and diverse, grasses are globally important in many ways—fundamental to the past and future survival of humans. In this presentation, Clay Antieau explores the grass language and distinguishing characteristics of the grass family. Featuring invasive grasses, rare grasses, and ornamental grasses, Clay will describe the remarkable adaptiveness of grasses as well as their habitat affinities, restoration roles, and associated conservation challenges. Clay Antieau is a horticulturist, botanist, and environmental scientist who enthusiastically combines these disciplines to offer unique abilities and perspectives in environmental education and science communication. He currently works for the City of Seattle as an environmental permit specialist. Clay’s a recognized local authority and educator in Northwest flora and has taught courses in plant identification, wetland science, restoration science, and related subjects at the University of Washington and numerous technical and community colleges around Washington. He has been teaching grass identification for more than 20 years. Free!
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
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.
Saturday, January 18
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)
10 am – 1 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.
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.
Tuesday, February 11
Capitol Land Trust’s 10th Annual Conservation Breakfast
Join us for breakfast as we celebrate conservation leaders from throughout southwest Washington and raise vital funds for our work. If you’re interested in being a sponsor, table captain or volunteer for the Conservation Breakfast, please contact Alison at alison@capitollandtrust.org.
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.