Events and Volunteer Opportunities Below
Volunteer position: Butterfly Monitoring Specialist
The Center for Natural Lands Management is recruiting for a volunteer position, Butterfly Monitoring Specialist. Description: Monitor butterflies at Tenalquot and Wolf Haven every 10-14 days, when weather appropriate, from May to August. The volunteer will capture butterflies in a net, identify individuals to species—or, if too difficult, write a sufficient description to identify them using a field guide. Experience using a taxonomic key is preferred. Cheryl Fimbel, CNLM’s Rare Species Ecologist, will provide in-the-field training, with site-specific information about historical butterfly use, and present species at both Wolf Haven and Tenalquot. CNLM will provide butterfly net and identification guide. Good candidates will meet these criterion:
• Ability to walk across uneven terrain quickly, to capture butterflies in nets
• Ability to write descriptively so that CNLM biologists can use descriptions to identify species
• Close proximity to Wolf Haven and Tenalquot, and have their own transportation
If you are interested, contact Audrey Lamb with the Center for Natural Lands Management—South Sound Program, at alamb@cnlm.org.
Nisqually Land Trust is hiring a Development Director
The Nisqually Land Trust has created a new staff position and is now trying to fill it. It is a full-time position with benefits, and it will be based at the NLT office at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. A complete job description and information on how to apply are available on their website, www.nisquallylandtrust.org.
Join the East Bay Purple Martin monitoring team
Are you interested in monitoring these amazing aerial acrobats? Stream Team is looking for volunteers interested in monitoring the nest boxes at East Bay in downtown Olympia from April to September and inspecting and cleaning the houses after the birds leave in September. For more information, or to sign up, contact Michelle Stevie at mstevie@ci.olympia.wa.us or 360-753-8336.
Center for Natural Lands Management Office Volunteer Needed
The Center for Natural Lands Management is looking for an office volunteer to work in the downtown office one day a week for approximately 3 months, and help us consolidate and organize past studies and projects. The position will involve a great deal of photocopying, hunting for files, as well as patience and excellent organizational skills. For more information, email ssvolunteers@cnlm.org.
Note to current students: This list includes some events that are not suitable for earning credit. For the Event Review assignment, the event must be marked EVENT REVIEW. Other events that are suitable for extra credit will be marked EXTRA CREDIT, and will state how many extra-credit points it is worth. Do not skip class to attend an event: you will not get any credit for your review.
Every Tuesday, 9 am – 3 pm: South Sound Prairie Restoration Work Party
Contact Audrey Lamb with the Center for Natural Lands Management—South Sound Program, at alamb@cnlm.org. EVENT REVIEW
Every Wednesday, 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 the entire walk or for as long as you wish.)
Tuesday, April 10
5:30 pm – public hearings on Mineral Lands and Cottage-Housing Development
(Room 280, Building 1 of the Thurston County Courthouse: 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW; Olympia 98502) The Thurston County Board of Commissioners will hold two public hearings—one on the designation of Mineral Lands of Long Term Commercial Significance, and the other on Cottage Housing. The purpose of the public hearing on Mineral Lands will be to accept public comment on the reevaluation of the criteria for designating mineral lands of long-term commercial significance. For more information on the proposed amendments, go to www.co.thurston.wa.us/planning/mineral_lands/mineral_lands_home.htm. (Staff contact: Olivia Story; (360) 754-3355 ext. 5477; storyo@co.thurston.wa.us) The purpose of the second public hearing is to accept comment on an amendment to allow cottage housing development within the Lacey and Grand Mound Urban Growth Areas. (Staff contact: Tony Kantas; (360) 786-5472; kantast@co.thurston.wa.us). EVENT REVIEW
6 – 8 pm – Sustainable Thurston Public Workshop
(Lacey Community Center: 6729 Pacific Ave SE; Lacey 98503) Don’t miss your chance to shape the future of your community. We need your help to create a vision for how the Thurston County region will look, function and feel over the next 20 – 30 years. Come and share your thoughts with your neighbors. Join a hands-on “Building Our Future” exercise, working with your neighbors to lay out your vision on a map. The Sustainable Thurston Task Force will use your ideas to develop a regional vision and goals. Sustainable Thurston is a community-wide conversation—with a goal to develop a vision for a vibrant, healthy and resilient future for the Thurston region, as well as the actions and responsibilities necessary to achieve it. How we grow matters. Our region is expected to grow by 67% in the next 30 years. Where and how that growth happens will make a difference in the choices we’ll enjoy as a community. This is a rare opportunity for community members and policy makers alike to have a voice in how we want our community to look, function and feel, as we add about 80,000 housing units and 84,000 jobs in our region over the next 30 years. You’re invited to join your neighbors at a hands-on workshop to take part in developing an initial vision. All community members will have an opportunity to share ideas about: challenges and opportunities growth will bring; possible future scenarios based on the best information available; how to best leverage growth to get the future we want to see; what needs to happen to achieve the future we envision; who will be responsible, and how to measure progress over time. For more information, go to http://www.trpc.org/regionalplanning/sustainability/Pages/default.aspx. EXTRA CREDIT (3 points—but you cannot get credit for going to more than one of these workshops)
7:00 pm – Science Café of Olympia: Rebuilding People—Auto Parts to Autologous Tissues
(Room 100A, Harned Hall, Saint Martin’s University: 5300 Pacific Avenue SE; Lacey) Our speaker this month is Buddy D. Ratner, Ph.D. Dr. Ratner is a professor in the departments of Bioengineering and Chemical Engineering at the University of Washington, and Director of UW Engineered Biomaterials. Through most of human history, failing body parts have led to pain, limited mobility, loss of function or death. Replacement body parts emerged in the 1940s with early artificial joints, synthetic eye lenses and kidney dialysis. But synthetic materials are prone to the foreign-body response, in which the patient’s cells wall off the new entity to isolate it from the body. To combat this effect, Dr. Ratner’s lab developed a class of porous, synthetic scaffolds that minimize the foreign-body response and encourage the restoration of healthy, living tissue around the implant. There is a commonality in living organisms’ reactions to today’s implants: flattened white blood cells (macrophages) attempt to engulf the biomaterial starting at about 48 hours; we hypothesize that our new, porous materials mechanically drive these macrophage cells down a healing pathway, rather than an “attack” pathway. This opens up a new possibility: creating materials to help the body heal itself. These macrophages that surround the UW scaffold may transform into some or all of the new cells and tissues in the healed implant. Thus, we may be able to use engineered materials to guide the body’s own regenerative potential. A map and driving directions can be found at www.stmartin.edu/about/DrivingHere.aspx#Saint_Martins_Universitys_address. Parking is free after 5:00 pm, and Parking Lots M and N are closest to Harned Hall. Please note that a class is using Room 100A until 6:50 pm, so please remain in the lobby or in the sitting area at the Monks Bean coffee shop until the class is dismissed. (Monks Bean is on the right as you enter Harned Hall and adjacent to Room 100A.)
Wednesday, April 11
7 pm – Around the world with bluebells: Washington State and Beyond
(Tacoma Nature Center: 1919 South Tyler Street; Tacoma 98405) Classification of Campanulaceae (including the Bluebells) is in an uproar as modern molecular approaches raise more questions than provide answers in determining taxonomic relationships in this large l flowering plant family. The Bluebells include large genera (the northern hemisphere Campanula, and southern hemisphere Wahlenbergia, and the Lobelias) and many small genera and endemic species, with interesting biogeography and challenging taxonomic questions. New evidence of relationships allows for many opportunities to reconsider the geographic distribution and development of variation in this fascinating group. There are an estimated 84 genera and 2380 species, including 7 genera and 13 species native to Washington State. Dr. Romey Haberle will discuss variation and relationships of our natives and describe current research on the biogeography of North American bluebells. Dr. Haberle is an assistant professor of biology at Pacific Lutheran University where her areas of emphasis are plant systematics and evolution. She received her PH.D. in Botany at the University of Texas in 2006.
Thursday, April 12
noon-1:00 pm – Poverty Alleviation and Gender Equality through Fair Trade
(South Puget Sound Community College, Building 26, Room 101) Olowo-n’djo Thales will discuss the moral mobilization African indigenous resources, such as Shea butter based on traditional knowledge, in creating long term positive impact in his West African communities.. Olowo-n’djo Tchala is Founder and Director, Alaffia Sustainable Skin Care, Olympia, WA. EXTRA CREDIT (1 point)
5:30 – 8:00 pm – Climate Solutions 13th Annual Reception
(Wine Cellar Room, Waterstreet Café: 610 Water Street SW; Olympia) Come support Climate Solutions and hear stories from the Northwest that illustrate how we are making the clean-energy economy real. Featured Speakers: Gregg Small (Executive Director, Climate Solutions), Kimberly Larson (Communications Director, Climate Solutions), Hilary Franz (Executive Director, Futurewise) and Linda Glasier (Community Activist). RSVP by April 4th at https://climates.ejoinme.org/?tabid=347800.
6 – 8 pm – Sustainable Thurston Public Workshop
(Tenino High School Commons: 500 W 2nd Ave; Tenino 98589) Don’t miss your chance to shape the future of your community. We need your help to create a vision for how the Thurston County region will look, function and feel over the next 20 – 30 years. Come and share your thoughts with your neighbors. Join a hands-on “Building Our Future” exercise, working with your neighbors to lay out your vision on a map. The Sustainable Thurston Task Force will use your ideas to develop a regional vision and goals. Sustainable Thurston is a community-wide conversation—with a goal to develop a vision for a vibrant, healthy and resilient future for the Thurston region, as well as the actions and responsibilities necessary to achieve it. How we grow matters. Our region is expected to grow by 67% in the next 30 years. Where and how that growth happens will make a difference in the choices we’ll enjoy as a community. This is a rare opportunity for community members and policy makers alike to have a voice in how we want our community to look, function and feel, as we add about 80,000 housing units and 84,000 jobs in our region over the next 30 years. You’re invited to join your neighbors at a hands-on workshop to take part in developing an initial vision. All community members will have an opportunity to share ideas about: challenges and opportunities growth will bring; possible future scenarios based on the best information available; how to best leverage growth to get the future we want to see; what needs to happen to achieve the future we envision; who will be responsible, and how to measure progress over time. For more information, go to http://www.trpc.org/regionalplanning/sustainability/Pages/default.aspx. EXTRA CREDIT (3 points—but you cannot get credit for going to more than one of these workshops)
Saturday, April 14
9 am – 1 pm – Cooper Point Restoration Work Party
(Cooper Point area, Olympia) Join volunteers with People For Puget Sound in pulling English ivy and removing other types of invasive vegetation to protect native plantings. No experience is necessary. Project partners include St. Martin’s University and private landowners. To volunteer and get directions, RSVP to Christina Donehower, People For Puget Sound, at cdonehower@pugetsound.org. Additional details for participants: Please bring your own work gloves (if you have them) and a water bottle. We recommend that you dress for the weather (rain or shine) and wear sturdy, waterproof shoes or boots. We will provide light snacks and beverages and will have some extra work gloves to share. Any minors who plan to attend without their legal guardians must contact the event coordinator prior to the event to receive a special release form that must be completed. We will provide driving directions and parking instructions to all participants upon RSVP. EVENT REVIEW
9 am – noon – Ohop Creek Restoration NatureMapping Field Trip
(near Eatonville) The South Sound Salmon Enhancement Group, Nisqually Indian Tribe, Nisqually Land Trust and its partners have joined together to restore the creek through the Ohop Valley to its original meandering pathway. Northwest Trek is helping by providing data collection and monitoring of the wildlife in the project area, using citizen-scientists in the data collection efforts—which is what this event will involve. This field trip is free, and you do not have to have NatureMapping experience. Participants should come dressed for the weather and for walking in a wet environment on uneven surfaces. Please contact Jessica Moore at 360.832.7160 or at Jessica.Moore@nwtrek.org for more information or to sign up for a field trip. EVENT REVIEW
9 am – 4 pm – Sustainability Summit: Unleashing our Creative Genius
(South Puget Sound Community College, Minnaert Center) Do you have a positive and hopeful vision for a sustainable and resilient future? Do you want to make our community stronger and more united? Do you want to join a group of people whose answers to both of these questions is an ecstatic, “Yes!”? Then the Alliance for Community Transition welcomes you! Join us at the kickoff of our transition to a resilient, sustainable and more hopeful future. Our response to climate change, peak oil, and economic instability is going to look more like a party than a protest march! We envision a future with less oil that is preferable to our present oil-powered world. We choose local resilience over oil dependency. A growing number of individuals, organizations, and community leaders think that it is not only possible, but essential, that we realize this vision.
At the Summit we will: connect with our community; learn from community experts; envision a better future; unleash our creative genius; and celebrate positive action. Keynote speaker David Korten will provide a framework for creating connected, resilient, Main Street communities in response to climate change, peak oil, and global economic disruption. (David Korten is the author of Lessons from the Biosphere: Creating Connected, Resilient Communities, The Great Turning, Agenda for a New Economy, The Post-Corporate World, and When Corporations Rule the World, and co-founder of YES! Magazine.) A panel of local experts will share their perspectives on our local economy, food security, water and energy use, transportation and land use. Exhibits will showcase a variety of local sustainable solutions. Attendees will discuss the issues in small workgroups and begin developing creative solutions and action plans for transitioning to a resilient community. Space is limited, and registration is required. Early bird prices (before April 4): $25, lunch included, or $12 without lunch. Register now at: www.TransitionOlympia.org. Sponsored by Alliance for Community Transition and BRICK. For more information, Contact Barb at 878-9901 or barb@scavezze.com. Alliance for Community Transition, www.TransitionOlympia.org. EXTRA CREDIT (3 points—but you need to stay for most of the event)
10 am – noon – McLane Creek Nature Trail Maintenance Work Party
(Olympia, west side) Join the Native Plant Salvage Project and Thurston County Stream Team to help maintain trails. We prune encroaching vegetation, clear and brush the trails so that visitors can more easily enjoy this unique setting. All volunteers will earn hours towards award of a free Discover Pass! Please let us know you are coming by contacting Ann Marie at 360-754-3355 ext. 6857 or at finanam@co.thurston.wa.us, so we can bring enough tools and pizza. EVENT REVIEW
10 am – 3 pm – South Sound Prairie Work Party
We will be burning the massive slash pile in the northwest section of Glacial, behind perimeter road. This will involve many people, patience, and a lot of water! We are burning the slash pile to reduce the amount of fuel on the ground in preparation for a prescribed burn this summer. We will also be seeding the area with native grasses and forbs next week. We also will be preparing the Prairie Appreciation Day Trail, pulling broom and clearing brush. Indoor priorities include: compiling field books for Prairie Appreciation Day; and preparing plant stakes and PAD cards. A potluck will follow at 3. Directions to Glacial Heritage: take I-5 to exit 95 (the Littlerock exit), ~10 miles south of Olympia; go west through Littlerock to the T-intersection at Mima Road/Waddell Creek; turn south (left) on Mima Road and go 2.7 miles; take a left onto a gravel road with sign for Glacial Heritage—you will see a tractor sign and then 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. EVENT REVIEW
10 am – McDonald Creek Blackberry Pull
(Elma) We will be cutting away blackberries from a restoration project site that will be going in this summer. We are doing the prep work for the project to get the area clear for a riparian planting. Please bring extra loppers if you have them and sturdy shoes. We will provide a few extra loppers and light refreshments. We will meet on the corner of Marion and Wakefield Rd in Elma: you will see a large propane tank after you take the 3rd Street exit in Elma off of Hwy 12. There will be parking available near the propane tank—just look for the other cars. For more information, contact Janel Spaulding, at (360) 538-4212 or at jspauldi@ghc.edu. EVENT REVIEW
10 am – 2 pm – Monarch Sculpture Park Work Party
(8431 Waldrick Rd; Tenino 98589) We need to keep the park operational until permanent stewardship can be established. Come help with landscape maintenance on these dates. Bring a weed whacker if you have one, and other landscaping tools. RSVP to tbp112000@msn.com or the Monarch event page on facebook. To volunteer at the Park during times other than organized work parties, contact the owner, Myrna Orsini at 360 264 2408. EXTRA CREDIT (1 point)
10 am – 2 pm – Design, Wax, Paint: Create Batik Art with Stream Team
(Procession of the Species Art Studio: 311 Capitol Way; Olympia) Join Stream Team for a free workshop to learn the ancient technique of batik—wax painting on cloth—and paint your favorite Stream Team memory, place in nature or animal. All supplies and instruction included. This is a family-friendly event. Batiks created by participants 18 yrs. old and younger will have the opportunity to display their designs during Arts Walks, April 27 – 28. To register, contact Michelle at 360-753-8336 or mstevie@ci.olympia.wa.us.
7:00 pm – Gar Lipow: Solving the Climate Crisis through Social Change
(Orca Books: 509 E 4th Ave; Olympia 98501) Local author Gar Lipow is a long-time environmental activist and journalist with a strong technical background, and has spent years immersed in the subject of efficiency and renewable energy. He’ll be discussing his new book Solving the Climate Crisis through Social Change: Public Investment in Social Prosperity to Cool a Fevered Planet. This book offers a new approach to battling the climate crisis, arguing that the massive waste that caused the current environmental crisis resulted not only from fundamental structural flaws in markets but also from social inequality, lack of democracy, and a deeply flawed foreign policy. Rather than providing the typical doomsday perspective, it offers realistic optimism about the expanding climate crisis, highlighting the convergence between the necessary steps to save the planet and what needs to be done to improve the lives of Americans. EXTRA CREDIT (2 points)
Sunday, April 15
2-4 pm – The Olympia Village Building Convergence Village Social
(Mixx 96 Conference Room: 119 Washington St. NE; Olympia 98501) The Oly VBC has set the ball in motion for another summer of placemaking in our communities. Come join us as we kick off the excitement and planning with a Village Social! Find out more information and connect with people in your community! Have an idea for a placemaking project in your community? Interested in getting involved with the core planning group? Come to the Village Social to become a part of this one of a kind movement! This year we are excited to feature projects across the Olympia community; painting intersections, building benches and community gathering places, installing gardens and whatever else you can imagine to make your neighborhoods more beautiful, personalized and conducive to community. (Last year, we completed several projects focused on The Downtown Commons—the land between Fertile Ground and the Guild Ecohouse. We repainted the intersection mandala, constructed a community gate with a sunburst urbanite patio, maintained the gardens, hosted events with workshops and entertainment, and shared meals with our friends and volunteers. We also included a project in the Northeast neighborhood installing a biodynamic flowform fountain.) Bring your ideas and your passion to launch the community design process. We’ll see you there! Questions? Contact OlyVBC@gmail.com.
Monday, April 16
3:00 – 7:00 pm – TEDx Event: ‘Hello Climate Change: Rethinking the Unthinkable’
(Seminar 2, E1105, The Evergreen State College: 2700 Evergreen Parkway, Olympia) “Hello, Climate Change: Rethinking the Unthinkable,” is an event designed to encourage thinking about the role of liberal arts education in an era of climate change. It has been organized specifically for Evergreen faculty and staff by a committee of students, faculty and staff. Members of the public are welcome to attend. Off-campus speakers will include David Roberts of Grist Magazine and Jeremy Littel of the University of Washington, Climate Impacts Group. On-campus experts include Anne de Marcken, Larry Geri, Zoltan Grossman, Carolyn Prouty, Steve Verhey and Bret Weinstein. The event is free, but pre-registration is required. For more information and a link to the registration page, go to http://evergreen.edu/mes/tedx.
Tuesday, April 17
5:30 – 7:30 pm – Free Septic Workshop
(Pioneer Intermediate School, Agate Road) Class will help homeowners avoid flushing money down the drain. Experts will explain what can be flushed safely, how septic systems work and what to do to protect this valuable feature of every rural home. We will provide participants the opportunity to ask questions specific to their own needs. Learn what you can do on your own, or when it is time to call a professional. Septic maintenance discount coupon and manual included. Call to register: 360-427-9670 Ext.680. EXTRA CREDIT (1 point)
6:30 – 8:30 pm – Making Miso
Why include cooking classes in a list of local environmental events? Because one of the best ways to reduce the environmental effects of eating (and to save money) is to learn to cook! Miso is a delicious healing food that is easy to make when you have access to the right starter culture. Join Summer Bock, Health Coach, Herbalist, and Fermentationist in this action-packed hands-on miso-making demo and lecture explaining the health benefits and the science of miso fermentation. Miso samples will be provided. You will leave with recipes for making soy miso, other bean misos and recipes for cooking with miso as well. Registration is required, and the cost is $5. To register, go to www.olympiafood.coop/classes. (Fertile Ground Guesthouse: 311 9th Ave SE, Olympia 98501— in downtown Olympia behind the Timberland Regional Library)
7 – 8 pm – The Schneider Family: How Two Generations Helped to Transform the Natural Resources of Thurston County
(Traditions Café: 300 5th Ave. SW; Olympia) Presenter Deborah Ross, local historian and author of the Schneider family novel called Konrad and Albertina, will use the Schneider family as a model for how pioneer families found and used natural resources in Olympia and the surrounding area. Deborah will focus on farming, lumbering, quarrying, shellfish harvesting, land development and the critical need for access to water for all of these activities. Free. EXTRA CREDIT (1 point)
7:00 – 8:15 pm – Life in the Slow Lane: Slugs & Snails in the Wild and in our Gardens
(REI Olympia: 625 Black Lake Blvd. #410; Olympia 98502) Seattle-based naturalist David George Gordon has appeared on Conan O’Brien and been featured in Ripley’s Believe It or Not. In his most recent book, The Secret World of Slugs and Snails: Life in the Very Slow Lane, Gordon invites us to “step into a world that, until now, you’ve only stepped on.” During his one-hour presentation, he’ll share his insights about our local slugs and snails, their curious behaviors and the niches they fill in the natural world. He’ll also explain how to forge a meaningful and lasting peace with these slimesters in our gardens and offer tips for watching them in the wild. A book-signing will follow his talk. Register online at http://www.rei.com/event/36033/session/45428 or by sending an email to Kathleen Ackley or calling (360) 943-3012. EXTRA CREDIT (1 point)
Wednesday, April 18
6 – 8 pm – Sustainable Thurston Public Workshop
(Yelm Public Safety Building: 206 McKenzie Ave SE; Yelm 98597) Don’t miss your chance to shape the future of your community. We need your help to create a vision for how the Thurston County region will look, function and feel over the next 20 – 30 years. Come and share your thoughts with your neighbors. Join a hands-on “Building Our Future” exercise, working with your neighbors to lay out your vision on a map. The Sustainable Thurston Task Force will use your ideas to develop a regional vision and goals. Sustainable Thurston is a community-wide conversation—with a goal to develop a vision for a vibrant, healthy and resilient future for the Thurston region, as well as the actions and responsibilities necessary to achieve it. How we grow matters. Our region is expected to grow by 67% in the next 30 years. Where and how that growth happens will make a difference in the choices we’ll enjoy as a community. This is a rare opportunity for community members and policy makers alike to have a voice in how we want our community to look, function and feel, as we add about 80,000 housing units and 84,000 jobs in our region over the next 30 years. You’re invited to join your neighbors at a hands-on workshop to take part in developing an initial vision. All community members will have an opportunity to share ideas about: challenges and opportunities growth will bring; possible future scenarios based on the best information available; how to best leverage growth to get the future we want to see; what needs to happen to achieve the future we envision; who will be responsible, and how to measure progress over time. For more information, go to http://www.trpc.org/regionalplanning/sustainability/Pages/default.aspx. EXTRA CREDIT (3 points—but you cannot get credit for going to more than one of these workshops)
Thursday, April 19
6 – 8 pm – Sustainable Thurston Public Workshop
(The Olympia Center: 222 Columbia St NW; Olympia 98501) Don’t miss your chance to shape the future of your community. We need your help to create a vision for how the Thurston County region will look, function and feel over the next 20 – 30 years. Come and share your thoughts with your neighbors. Join a hands-on “Building Our Future” exercise, working with your neighbors to lay out your vision on a map. The Sustainable Thurston Task Force will use your ideas to develop a regional vision and goals. Sustainable Thurston is a community-wide conversation—with a goal to develop a vision for a vibrant, healthy and resilient future for the Thurston region, as well as the actions and responsibilities necessary to achieve it. How we grow matters. Our region is expected to grow by 67% in the next 30 years. Where and how that growth happens will make a difference in the choices we’ll enjoy as a community. This is a rare opportunity for community members and policy makers alike to have a voice in how we want our community to look, function and feel, as we add about 80,000 housing units and 84,000 jobs in our region over the next 30 years. You’re invited to join your neighbors at a hands-on workshop to take part in developing an initial vision. All community members will have an opportunity to share ideas about: challenges and opportunities growth will bring; possible future scenarios based on the best information available; how to best leverage growth to get the future we want to see; what needs to happen to achieve the future we envision; who will be responsible, and how to measure progress over time. For more information, go to http://www.trpc.org/regionalplanning/sustainability/Pages/default.aspx. EXTRA CREDIT (3 points—but you cannot get credit for going to more than one of these workshops)
6 – 8pm – Exploring Edible Weeds
Why include cooking classes in a list of local environmental events? Because one of the best ways to reduce the environmental effects of eating (and to save money) is to learn to cook! Come join us for a discussion about edible weeds, covering where they grow, how to identify them, what to do with them, and more. Handouts will be provided, and a salad with edible weed components will be available for sampling. Registration is required, and the cost is $5. To register, go to www.olympiafood.coop/classes. (Fertile Ground Guesthouse: 311 9th Ave SE, Olympia 98501— in downtown Olympia behind the Timberland Regional Library)
6:30 – 8:00 pm – Let it Soak In: Rain Gardens Workshop
(LOTT’s WET Science Center, Board Room: 500 Adams; Olympia 98501) Adding a rain garden to your property is a great way to make a difference in protecting your local waterways and Puget Sound, while also beautifying your yard. Join us for a free, hands-on workshop to see firsthand how to add one of these lovely stormwater features to your yard. You’ll get all the details you need to design and install a beautiful rain garden that will manage your home’s drainage while also protecting our local waterways. Participants will receive a free full-color rain garden poster and a free copy of WSU’s Rain Garden Handbook for Western Washington Homeowners. Presentation is from 6:30 to 8:00 pm, followed by an optional hands-on workshop from 8:15 to 9 pm. Registration is required. For information or to register, contact WSU Native Plant Salvage project at nativeplantsalvage@gmail.com or 360-867-2166. EXTRA CREDIT (2 points)
Friday, April 20
9 am – noon – Earth Day Ivy Pull in Dupont
(Dupont) Come join the Nisqually Land Trust for a day giving back to the planet! We will be removing invasive English ivy from our property near Dupont in order to improve wildlife habitat and water quality in the Nisqually River. Come help us celebrate Earth Day and be part of a change for the better! Coffee, water, and light snacks will be provided; please bring a water bottle and any other food 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. Register at http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e5pkq570c3c9f726&llr=jzh7gggab for directions. For more information, contact Charly Kearns (Nisqually Land Trust) at volunteer@nisquallylandtrust.org or at 360-489-3400. EVENT REVIEW
Saturday, April 21
10:00 am – noon – Black Lake Ditch Tree Planting
(Olympia) Tools and refreshments will be provided, just bring your boots and we will see you there…rain or shine! Directions: From Hwy 101 get off at Black Lake Blvd SW exit and turn south towards Black Lake. After the second traffic light (Lakemoor/Ken Lake neighborhood), turn left onto 21st Avenue. 21st curves to the right and turns into RW Johnson Rd. Just before the railroad tracks is a driveway and small gravel parking area on the right side of the road (the entrance to Black Lake Meadows—look for signs to the designated parking areas. For more info., contact Patricia Pyle at 360-570-5841 or ppyle@ci.olympia.wa.us. EVENT REVIEW
10:00 am – Friends of Seminary Hill Natural Area Earth Day Work Party
(Centralia) Join the Friends of Seminary Hill Natural Area as we prepare Seminary Hill Natural Area for the hiking/ walking season. There are many opportunities to help, with varying degrees of difficulty and exertion (trail bed maintenance, ivy & blackberry cutting/pulling, debris/litter removal etc.) Some tools and gloves are provided, or you may bring your own. Refreshments will be provided for helpers. We will meet at the parking lot at the main entrance to the Seminary Hill Natural Area (at the corner of East Locust Street and Barner Drive). Some trails are quite steep and trails can be slippery when it has been raining, so wear appropriate shoes or hiking boots. A walking stick can make the climbing and descending much easier. Be prepared for changes in the weather; layered clothing and rainwear are advisable. EVENT REVIEW
Sunday, April 22
9 am – 1 pm – Earth Day Woodland Trail Work Party
Connect with the Earth and spread 60 yards of wood chips onto our trails. We need all the help we can get on this one! Bring a wheel barrow and a friend! Bring gloves, wheel barrows, and DRESS FOR RAIN. Gloves and tools provided if you do not have them. By car: From I-5 take the Pacific Avenue exit in Olympia. Proceed West 0.8 miles on Pacific Avenue. Take Boulevard Rd South 0.6 miles. Turn Left (East) onto 15th st (Same as Dayton). Go around the bend to the end. The Doors Unlimited people have been nice enough to let us use their parking lot. Look for the white tent. By bicycle: From Pacific Avenue, take Boulevard Rd South appx 0.4 miles. Immediately after crossing I-5, turn Left (East) onto the I-5 bike path. Take an immediate right onto the short connector trail. Turn left (East) onto the Woodland Trail, and go ¼ mile West to Dayton Street. Look for the white tent. EVENT REVIEW
10 am – 1 pm – Yelm Shoreline Earth Day Event
Come join Nisqually Land Trust and Alpine Experience for a day giving back to the planet! We’ll celebrate Earth Day improving wildlife habitat and water quality in the Nisqually River in Yelm, by spreading mulch to protect newly planted trees and removing invasive plant species on our river-front property. Alpine Experience will be giving away free t-shirts designed by Olympia artist Nikki McClure to anyone who registers by April 16th. Coffee, water, and light snacks will be provided; please bring a water bottle and any other food 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. Register at http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e5nkd1zc9023e814&llr=jzh7gggab for directions. For more information, contact Charly Kearns (Nisqually Land Trust) at volunteer@nisquallylandtrust.org or at 360-489-3400. EVENT REVIEW
7:00 – 8:30 pm – The Magic of Monarchs
(Eagles Grand Ballroom: 805 Fourth Ave. E, Olympia 98506) In celebration of Earth Day 2012, noted biologist, writer, and butterfly expert Robert Michael Pyle will spin us along the extraordinary, continent-spanning migration of monarch butterflies, and share the new ways that people have come to understand that migration. He’ll describe the remarkable co-evolution between milkweeds, monarchs, and their predators, and consider their plight and future in a changing world. Admission is $5—but no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Books by Robert Michael Pyle will be available for purchase at the event, and Pyle will sign books following his presentation. Fireside Books will donate 10% of the evening’s book sales to the Procession of the Species. EXTRA CREDIT (1 point)
Monday, April 23
6 – 8 pm – Sustainable Thurston Public Workshop
(Rochester Middle School Commons: 9937 Hwy 12 SW; Rochester 98579) Don’t miss your chance to shape the future of your community. We need your help to create a vision for how the Thurston County region will look, function and feel over the next 20 – 30 years. Come and share your thoughts with your neighbors. Join a hands-on “Building Our Future” exercise, working with your neighbors to lay out your vision on a map. The Sustainable Thurston Task Force will use your ideas to develop a regional vision and goals. Sustainable Thurston is a community-wide conversation—with a goal to develop a vision for a vibrant, healthy and resilient future for the Thurston region, as well as the actions and responsibilities necessary to achieve it. How we grow matters. Our region is expected to grow by 67% in the next 30 years. Where and how that growth happens will make a difference in the choices we’ll enjoy as a community. This is a rare opportunity for community members and policy makers alike to have a voice in how we want our community to look, function and feel, as we add about 80,000 housing units and 84,000 jobs in our region over the next 30 years. You’re invited to join your neighbors at a hands-on workshop to take part in developing an initial vision. All community members will have an opportunity to share ideas about: challenges and opportunities growth will bring; possible future scenarios based on the best information available; how to best leverage growth to get the future we want to see; what needs to happen to achieve the future we envision; who will be responsible, and how to measure progress over time. For more information, go to http://www.trpc.org/regionalplanning/sustainability/Pages/default.aspx. EXTRA CREDIT (3 points—but you cannot get credit for going to more than one of these workshops)
Wednesday, April 25
7:00 pm – Community Meeting On Urban Agriculture
(Olympia City Hall, room 207) Do you want to live in a city that values fresh local food and the people who grow it? Do you want to see more community and backyard gardens and a thriving local food economy? The City of Olympia is reviewing its approach to urban agriculture and wants to hear from you! You are invited to a community meeting to discuss issues related to local food and agriculture, hosted by the City and Sustainable South Sound. Some of the topics we’ll explore are: What changes would you like to see? What are your concerns? What are your ideas? Are three chickens enough? Does Olympia need more neighborhood produce stands and farmer’s markets? Would our community have enough food reserves in case of an emergency? For more information, contact Sustainable South Sound at tjjohnson@scattercreek.com or Jennifer Kenny at the City of Olympia, jkenny@ci.olympia.wa.us or call 753-8314. EXTRA CREDIT (2 points)
Thursday, April 26
noon – 1:00 pm – The Northwest Bio-carbon Initiative: Mobilizing the Power of Nature to Help Solve Global Warming
(South Puget Sound Community College, Building 26, Room 101) The Northwest Bio-carbon Initiative, a partnership of leading conservation groups in the region that aims to establish the Northwest as a global leader advancing cutting-edge model policies and practices to store carbon in our forests, farms and urbanized landscapes. Rhys Roth is Director of Strategic Innovation, Climate Solutions, Olympia, WA. EXTRA CREDIT (1 point)
6-8 pm – League of Women Voters: Capitol Lake
(River’s Edge Restaurant: 4611 Tumwater Valley Dr. SE; Tumwater) Join the League of Women Voters, Thurston County to hear a variety of issues and perspectives on the future of Capital Lake will be discussed. Speakers to be announced. Social period at 6:00 followed by presentation and discussion beginning at 6:30 p.m. For more information, check the LWVTC calendar at www.lwvthurston.org/calendar.html or contact Allyson Brooks, 866-8375. EXTRA CREDIT (2 points)
6:30 – 8:30 pm – Sprouting 4 Life
Why include cooking classes in a list of local environmental events? Because one of the best ways to reduce the environmental effects of eating (and to save money) is to learn to cook! Join life food chef & educator Rebeka Gentian & learn how to sprout 4 life! Sprouting increases the nutrient density of food, provides trace minerals, essential amino acids, & is extremely affordable. Learn the hows, whats and whys of sprouting and create a garden in your kitchen. Registration is required, and the cost is $5. To register, go to www.olympiafood.coop/classes. (Fertile Ground Guesthouse: 311 9th Ave SE, Olympia 98501— in downtown Olympia behind the Timberland Regional Library)
Saturday, April 28
9:00 am – 3:00 pm – WA Native Plant Society South Sound Chapter Spring Native Plant Sale
(Capital Museum Coach House: 211 21st Avenue SW; Olympia) Stay tuned for details.
9:30 – noon, 1 – 3:30 pm – More Vegetable Gardening and Native Plants for Health
(Memorial Hall: 210 W Franklin Street, Shelton) 9:30 am – noon: Join WSU Master Gardener Lou Schmidt to learn about summer varieties that require lots of heat such as squash, tomatoes, and beans. How to deal with summer drought and feeding your garden. 1:00-3:30 pm: Elizabeth Campbell, Northwest Indian College Educator, will share how to use native plants for health benefits. Participants will make rose hip jam. Cost: $25 per day or $30 per couple. Payment accepted at the door. Please call 360-427-9670 Ext. 680 to register in advance to ensure adequate supplies for the class.
10:00 am – noon – Woodland Creek Community Park Mulching Party
(6729 Pacific Ave SE; Lacey) Tools and refreshments will be provided, just bring your boots and we will see you there…rain or shine! Directions: From I-5, take the Martin Way Exit 109, (From southbound I-5, turn Left onto Martin Way—From northbound I-5, turn Right onto Martin Way). Turn Right onto Carpenter Rd. Turn Left onto Pacific Avenue. After about ¼ mile, turn RIGHT into the park. Head all the way to the back of the park, near the big toys, look for the Stream Team sign and walk down the paved trail to sign in near the kiosk. For more info, contact Katie at 360-438-2672 or streamteam@ci.lacey.wa.us. EXTRA CREDIT (2 points)
12 – 2 pm – Knife Skills for the Home Kitchen
Why include cooking classes in a list of local environmental events? Because one of the best ways to reduce the environmental effects of eating (and to save money) is to learn to cook! Are you wanting to eat more vegetables, but don’t know much about preparing them or don’t feel confident working with a kitchen knife? This class is for you! We will explore the different types of knives that are useful in the kitchen, the different material the blades are made with, and how to hold your knives for best comfort and safety. Then we will practice some cuts such as mincing, dicing, slicing, chiffonade, oblique, julienne, Asian julienne, & supremes to make a few appealing dishes for us to try. Registration is required, and the cost is $5. To register, go to www.olympiafood.coop/classes. (GRuB Farmhouse: 2016 Elliott Ave NW; Olympia 98502—on the westside of Olympia off of Harrison Ave, behind the Handy Pantry)
Monday, April 30
7-8:30 pm – Free Lawn Care Workshop with Marianne Binetti
(The Olympia Center: 222 Columbia St. NW; Olympia) Marianne Binetti, garden columnist for The Olympian and the Tacoma News Tribune, will discuss natural ways to control lawn weeds; “dirt” cheap ways to add more nitrogen to your soil; how to mow like a pro; and the secret ingredient that every lawn in western Washington craves. She’ll also explain to have a healthy lawn that demands less water, fertilizing and mowing. Free! For more info., contact Patricia Pyle at 360-570-5841 or ppyle@ci.olympia.wa.us. EXTRA CREDIT (1 point)
Saturday May 5
10 am – 5 pm – Naturescaping for Water and Wildlife Field Class
(Olympia) Join the Native Plant Salvage Project’s Erica Guttman and landscape designer Linda Andrews for a full day of learning about sustainable landscape design and creation, then travel by bus to local private water-wise landscapes! To register, go to www.eventbrite.com/event/2671974949?ref=ebtn. For more information, contact the Native Plant Salvage Project at 360-867-2166 or nativeplantsalvage@gmail.com. EXTRA CREDIT (2 points)
Sunday, May 6
10 am – 2 pm – Monarch Sculpture Park Work Party
(8431 Waldrick Rd; Tenino 98589) We need to keep the park operational until permanent stewardship can be established. Come help with landscape maintenance on these dates. Bring a weed whacker if you have one, and other landscaping tools. RSVP to tbp112000@msn.com or the Monarch event page on facebook. To volunteer at the Park during times other than organized work parties, contact the owner, Myrna Orsini at 360 264 2408. EXTRA CREDIT (1 point)
Tuesday, May 8
6:30 pm – Friends of Seminary Hill Natural Area Wildflower Walk
(Centralia) Join Dr. Lisa Carlson, Professor of Botany at Centralia College, for an evening walk in the woods. She will teach us to identify native wildflowers and guide us on the trails as we enjoy the beauty of the season. We will meet at the parking lot at the main entrance to the Seminary Hill Natural Area (at the corner of East Locust Street and Barner Drive). Some trails are quite steep and trails can be slippery when it has been raining, so wear appropriate shoes or hiking boots. A walking stick can make the climbing and descending much easier. Be prepared for changes in the weather; layered clothing and rainwear are advisable. Bring a camera, water bottle, and perhaps a snack and litter bag. Books for identifying trees, flowers, birds and animals are also handy. EXTRA CREDIT (1 point)
Wednesday, May 9
7 pm – Fore! Native and Non-native on the Golf Course
(Tacoma Nature Center: 1919 South Tyler Street; Tacoma 98405) Carol R.C. White has 8 years experience in various fields of the horticulture industry, and is the current horticulturalist for The Golf Club at Newcastle, WA. The reach of her responsibilities on the property varies from houseplants to annuals, to a native plant garden. She will share with us the successes (and sometimes failures) of landscape projects for the club, and learning to balance “aesthetics with conscience.” Also, to be discussed is the accomplishment of the golf club becoming a certified bird sanctuary through Audubon International, and Carol’s role in the process. To round-out the evening, she will touch on steps the club is taking to lessen its impact on the local environment. EXTRA CREDIT (1 point)
Thursday, May 10
noon-1:00 pm – How We Build Global Community through Environmental Service
(South Puget Sound Community College, Building 26, Room 101) Since 1993 Earth Corps has brought young people from across the United States and around the world to restore habitat and lead environmental service volunteers. LaPoint will highlight the career of an Earth Corps alumnus and show how young adults can become involved in positive environmental change in their own communities. Chris LaPoint is Volunteer Program Manager, Earth Corps, Seattle, WA. EXTRA CREDIT (2 points)
Saturday, May 12
7 am – 4 pm – Black Hills Audubon Society Field Trip: Thurston County and Eastern Grays Harbor County
We plan to touch on several habitats during the day; possibly some salt water shoreline, fresh water areas, Capitol Forest, Mima Prairie, farm fields, and Elma hills areas hoping for a great spring day of birding in our own backyard. Birds should be singing, flowers blooming, and trees mostly leafed out. Most of the birds should be resident birds or migrants recently returned for the breeding season. Leaders: Sue Danver and Kristin Stewart. This trip is appropriate for fledgling birders, but open to all. Pre-registration is required by calling Kristin at 360-456-5098 or 360-402-1526. For more information, go to http://blackhills-audubon.org/fieldtrips-events.htm. EXTRA CREDIT (2 points)
10 am – noon – McLane Creek Nature Trail Maintenance Work Party
(Olympia, west side) Join the Native Plant Salvage Project and Thurston County Stream Team to help maintain trails. We prune encroaching vegetation, clear and brush the trails so that visitors can more easily enjoy this unique setting. All volunteers will earn hours towards award of a free Discover Pass! Please let us know you are coming by e-mailing us at nativeplantsalvage@gmail.com, so we can bring enough tools and pizza. EVENT REVIEW
Monday, May 14
7 pm – Wild Flowers of the Italian Alps
(Washington State Capitol Museum Coach House: 211 21st Avenue SW; Olympia 98501) In summer months the northern Italian Alps are filled with wildflowers. Italy has preserved its high meadows and craggy peaks in national parks and nature preserves. Come see photographs and learn about the unique ecology of this area. Kevin Head will present slides from his 2011 walking tour of the Dolomites, the Rhaetian Alps, and the Graian Alps. Kevin is a South Sound Native Plant enthusiast having led trips for the chapter for nine years. He has hiked extensively through the mountain west and desert southwest and has explored wildflower meadows in Norway, the UK and Greece. He is a teacher for the North Thurston Public Schools working in his 24rd year at the District’s Alternative High School. EXTRA CREDIT (1 point)
Sunday, May 20
2 – 4 pm – Healthy Breakfasts
Why include cooking classes in a list of local environmental events? Because one of the best ways to reduce the environmental effects of eating (and to save money) is to learn to cook! Do you find yourself stuck in a rut for breakfast? Are you tired of eating high sugar breakfasts with little nutritional value that leave you hungry by mid-morning? Come join Erin and learn five easy, nutrient dense breakfasts to start your day off right. Dishes will include quinoa porridge, vegetable frittata, and three other simple healthy meals to enjoy for breakfast. Registration is required, and the cost is $5. To register, go to www.olympiafood.coop/classes. (GRuB Farmhouse: 2016 Elliott Ave NW; Olympia 98502—on the westside of Olympia off of Harrison Ave, behind the Handy Pantry)
Thursday, May 24
noon – 1:00 pm – Endangered Sea Turtles!
(South Puget Sound Community College, Building 26, Room 101) Lynn Corliss will describe her research with endangered sea turtles in Mexico and the Caribbean. Her work, intertwined with building strong communities in developing countries, has earned her an international award from the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Lynn Corliss is Professor of Marine Biology and Oceanography, South Puget Sound Community College and Centralia College. EXTRA CREDIT (2 points)
Saturday, May 26
9 am – noon – Railway Road NatureMapping Field Trip
(near Yelm) The Nisqually Land Trust is seeking baseline data at a new site along the Nisqually river. Northwest Trek is helping out with this event, using citizen-scientists in the data collection efforts. The Land trust protects over 190 acres along the whitewater reach of the Nisqually River. This 10+ acre wetland is a part of the 150 contiguous acres of riparian forest mosaic that is perched between the Centralia power canal and the Nisqually. The wetland is viewed from a private road that leads to unmaintained trails through the riparian forest. This field trip is free, and you do not have to have NatureMapping experience. Participants should come dressed for the weather and for walking in grassy and woody environments and on uneven surfaces. The terrain ranges from level unpaved roads to uneven meadows and forests. Some areas require climbing and manuvering over debris. Rubber boots and walking sticks are advised. Please contact Jessica Moore at 360.832.7160 or at Jessica.Moore@nwtrek.org for more information or to sign up. EVENT REVIEW
Bee Keeping & Pollinators and Orcharding West of the Cascades
(Memorial Hall: 210 W Franklin Street, Shelton) 9:30 am – noon: Join WSU AmeriCorps Member Anna Mangan and other local experts to learn about bees, beekeeping, and pollinators in the garden. 1:00-3:30 pm: Join WSU Extension Educator Mary DiMatteo for insights into keeping and maintaining a home orchard. Cost: $25 per day or $30 per couple. Payment accepted at the door. Please call 360-427-9670 Ext. 680 to register in advance to ensure adequate supplies for the class.
2 – 5 pm – Adventures in Quinoa: a bilingual experience
Why include cooking classes in a list of local environmental events? Because one of the best ways to reduce the environmental effects of eating (and to save money) is to learn to cook! This class is not only a fun exploration into the versatile deliciousness of quinoa, but also a Spanish language and Peruvian cultural immersion. If you enjoy cooking and learning Spanish, then it is double the pleasure! We will prepare a sampling of traditional dishes featuring this most amazing nutrient dense and energy packed food. All instructions will be provided in English and Spanish or Spanish then English. All are welcome regardless of Spanish language proficiency. Taught by Gustavo & Charo Portaro & Scott Saunders. Registration is required, and the cost is $5. To register, go to www.olympiafood.coop/classes. (GRuB Farmhouse: 2016 Elliott Ave NW; Olympia 98502—on the westside of Olympia off of Harrison Ave, behind the Handy Pantry)
Sunday, May 27
4 – 7 pm – Vegan Gluten-Free Pizza Class (Party!)
Why include cooking classes in a list of local environmental events? Because one of the best ways to reduce the environmental effects of eating (and to save money) is to learn to cook! Get ready to create some incredible tantalizing pizzas. We will learn a failsafe pizza dough recipe as well as some fun mouthwatering vegan toppings that will knock yer socks off including a vegan soft nut cheese. Recipes provided. Bring one of your favorite toppings to share and come ready to snack, snarf, and celebrate! Registration is required, and the cost is $5. To register, go to www.olympiafood.coop/classes. (GRuB Farmhouse: 2016 Elliott Ave NW; Olympia 98502—on the westside of Olympia off of Harrison Ave, behind the Handy Pantry)
Wednesday, June 6
4 – 7 pm – McLane Creek Nature Trail Maintenance Work Party
(Olympia, west side) Join the Native Plant Salvage Project and Thurston County Stream Team to help maintain trails. We prune encroaching vegetation, clear and brush the trails so that visitors can more easily enjoy this unique setting. We will provide pizza, and all volunteers will earn hours towards award of a free Discover Pass! Please let us know you are coming by e-mailing us at nativeplantsalvage@gmail.com, so we can bring enough tools and pizza. EVENT REVIEW
JUNE 8: ALL EVENT REVIEWS & EXTRA-CREDIT PROJECTS DUE BY 10 pm!
Saturday June 9
10 am – 4 pm – Meet the Trees of Washington Field Class
(Olympia) In this fun field class, participants will be introduced to the magnificence of our native trees as well as four South Sound ecosystems: marine shorelines, prairies, freshwater riparian areas, and they will learn some basic keying skills. Following a morning in the classroom, we’ll travel by bus (provided) for a field trip to a local nature trail to learn to identify native trees, shrubs, ferns and perennials. The class is especially beneficial for newcomers to our area or anyone else who has ever wondered about the benefits and horticultural uses of native trees and other plants. Participants will learn about several different natural areas to visit in South Sound to experience different ecosystems and the plants and animals that inhabit them. To register, go to www.eventbrite.com/event/2672011057?ref=ebtn. For more information, contact the Native Plant Salvage Project at 360-867-2166 or nativeplantsalvage@gmail.com.
Sunday, June 10
1 – 3 pm – Friends of Seminary Hill Natural Area: Where the Wild Things Are
(Centralia) Dr. Blake Murden and Claudine Reynolds, Wildlife Biologists, will lead a hands-on family friendly activity and walk. We will be looking for the creatures that live in and around the forest and learn more about their habitats. Bring the kids and join the fun. We will meet at the parking lot at the main entrance to the Seminary Hill Natural Area (at the corner of East Locust Street and Barner Drive). Some trails are quite steep and trails can be slippery when it has been raining, so wear appropriate shoes or hiking boots. A walking stick can make the climbing and descending much easier. Be prepared for changes in the weather; layered clothing and rainwear are advisable. Bring a camera, water bottle, and perhaps a snack and litter bag. Books for identifying trees, flowers, birds and animals are also handy.
June 16
10 am – noon – Enhancing Wetlands Through Habitat Creation Workshop
(Eatonville) Join Northwest Trek staff for this two-hour workshop to learn how to enhance your backyard and woodlot habitats through simple habitat building methods. This workshop will begin with a 30-minute indoor lecture and finish with 1-1/2 hours of habitat building on Trek property. Outdoor work will include creating brush piles and habitat boxes for native wildlife. Workshop materials, gloves, and tools will be provided. Please bring water and snacks as needed. This workshop is free, however, class size is limited to 15 participants. Contact Jessica Moore at 360-832-7160 or Jessica.moore@nwtrek.org to reserve your spot today!
Saturday, June 23
10:00 am – Friends of Seminary Hill Natural Area Poetry Walk
(Centralia) Join this unique walk led by David Underwood. Come to the woods and hear wondrous verses by renowned bards, plus some stanzas by our own Northwest poets. Stretch your legs, breathe fresh air, and nourish your spirit. We will meet at the parking lot at the main entrance to the Seminary Hill Natural Area (at the corner of East Locust Street and Barner Drive). Some trails are quite steep and trails can be slippery when it has been raining, so wear appropriate shoes or hiking boots. A walking stick can make the climbing and descending much easier. Be prepared for changes in the weather; layered clothing and rainwear are advisable. Bring a camera, water bottle, and perhaps a snack and litter bag. Books for identifying trees, flowers, birds and animals are also handy.
Wednesday, June 27
4 – 7 pm – McLane Creek Nature Trail Maintenance Work Party
(Olympia, west side) Join the Native Plant Salvage Project and Thurston County Stream Team to help maintain trails. We prune encroaching vegetation, clear and brush the trails so that visitors can more easily enjoy this unique setting. We will provide pizza, and all volunteers will earn hours towards award of a free Discover Pass! Please let us know you are coming by e-mailing us at nativeplantsalvage@gmail.com, so we can bring enough tools and pizza.
June 30
Rain Gardens and Raising Chickens
(Memorial Hall: 210 W Franklin Street, Shelton) 9:30 am – noon (FREE): Join WSU Rain Garden Experts to learn about the benefits of Rain Gardens and how to install one on your property. 1:00-3:30 pm: Sharon Conboy will discuss chickens and how to raise them in suburban and small farm environments. Get all your chicken-raising questions answered! Cost: morning session is free; afternoon session is $25 per person, $30 per couple. Payment accepted at the door. Please call 360-427-9670 Ext. 680 to register in advance to ensure adequate supplies for the class.
July 7
9 am – noon – Wilcox Flats NatureMapping and Habitat Restoration Field Trip
(Roy) The Nisqually Land Trust is looking to gather NatureMapping data at Wilcox Flats along the Nisqually River. The Wilcox Flats site is located near Wilcox Farms, and is vital to salmon recovery efforts along the Nisqually River. The purpose of the trip will be to collect baseline data about plants and wildlife in the surrounding habitat and to 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. This trip is free, and you do not have to have NatureMapping experience. Participants should come dressed for the weather and for walking in grassy and woody environments and on uneven surfaces. The terrain ranges from level unpaved roads to uneven meadows and forests. Some areas require climbing and manuvering over debris. Please contact Jessica Moore at 360.832.7160 or at Jessica.Moore@nwtrek.org for more information or to sign up for a field trip.
Saturday, July 14,
10:00 am – Friends of Seminary Hill Natural Area Photography Workshop
(Centralia) Come and learn new techniques for taking pictures with resident teacher and photographer Marlene Hodge. Bring your camera manual, and a tripod if you have one. Study your manual ahead of time so you are ready to “focus in” on her advice. We will meet at the parking lot at the main entrance to the Seminary Hill Natural Area (at the corner of East Locust Street and Barner Drive). Some trails are quite steep and trails can be slippery when it has been raining, so wear appropriate shoes or hiking boots. A walking stick can make the climbing and descending much easier. Be prepared for changes in the weather; layered clothing and rainwear are advisable. Bring a camera, water bottle, and perhaps a snack and litter bag. Books for identifying trees, flowers, birds and animals are also handy.
Wednesday, July 18
4 – 7 pm – McLane Creek Nature Trail Maintenance Work Party
(Olympia, west side) Join the Native Plant Salvage Project and Thurston County Stream Team to help maintain trails. We prune encroaching vegetation, clear and brush the trails so that visitors can more easily enjoy this unique setting. We will provide pizza, and all volunteers will earn hours towards award of a free Discover Pass! Please let us know you are coming by e-mailing us at nativeplantsalvage@gmail.com, so we can bring enough tools and pizza.
Saturday, July 21st,
9 am – noon – Ohop Creek Restoration NatureMapping Field Trip
(near Eatonville) The South Sound Salmon Enhancement Group, Nisqually Indian Tribe, Nisqually Land Trust and its partners have joined together to restore the creek through the Ohop Valley to its original meandering pathway. Northwest Trek is helping by providing data collection and monitoring of the wildlife in the project area, using citizen-scientists in the data collection efforts—which is what this event will involve. The field trip is free, and you do not have to have NatureMapping experience. Participants should come dressed for the weather and for walking in a wet environment on uneven surfaces. Please contact Jessica Moore at 360.832.7160 or at Jessica.Moore@nwtrek.org for more information or to sign up for a field trip.
10:00 am – Friends of Seminary Hill Natural Area: Children’s Nature Activity
(Centralia) Barbara Fandrich, Margie Joy and Marshall Murray, retired forester, will be your guides as you and your child explore the flora of Seminary Hill. Children up to age 12 and their parents are welcome to participate. Then they will make forest notebooks filled with samples of the flora they find. All materials will be provided, and activities will vary by the age of the child. We will meet at the parking lot at the main entrance to the Seminary Hill Natural Area (at the corner of East Locust Street and Barner Drive).
July 28
10 am – noon – Enhancing Wetlands Through Habitat Creation Workshop
(Eatonville) Join Northwest Trek staff for this two-hour workshop to learn how to enhance your backyard and woodlot habitats through simple habitat building methods. This workshop will begin with a 30-minute indoor lecture and finish with 1-1/2 hours of habitat building on Trek property. Outdoor work will include creating brush piles and habitat boxes for native wildlife. Workshop materials, gloves, and tools will be provided. Please bring water and snacks as needed. This workshop is free, however, class size is limited to 15 participants. Contact Jessica Moore at 360-832-7160 or Jessica.moore@nwtrek.org to reserve your spot today!
August 4
Tansey Pull at NWTrek
Saturday, August 11,
10:00 am – Friends of Seminary Hill Natural Area Geology Walk
(Centralia) Join geologist Jim Ward on a trip back in time as he explains the geological history of the Seminary Hill area. As we walk we will see examples of and learn about development of the present-day land forms of this region. For the meeting place, follow Seminary Hill Road past the Armory, then past Saxon and Baker Streets to the large blue gate on the right (just beyond the small pump house); enter through the large blue gate to park and meet the event leader. Some trails are quite steep and trails can be slippery when it has been raining, so wear appropriate shoes or hiking boots. A walking stick can make the climbing and descending much easier. Be prepared for changes in the weather; layered clothing and rainwear are advisable. Bring a camera, water bottle, and perhaps a snack and litter bag. Books for identifying trees, flowers, birds and animals are also handy.
August 18
10 am – noon – Enhancing Wetlands Through Habitat Creation Workshop
(Eatonville) Join Northwest Trek staff for this two-hour workshop to learn how to enhance your backyard and woodlot habitats through simple habitat building methods. This workshop will begin with a 30-minute indoor lecture and finish with 1-1/2 hours of habitat building on Trek property. Outdoor work will include creating brush piles and habitat boxes for native wildlife. Workshop materials, gloves, and tools will be provided. Please bring water and snacks as needed. This workshop is free, however, class size is limited to 15 participants. Contact Jessica Moore at 360-832-7160 or Jessica.moore@nwtrek.org to reserve your spot today!
September 22
9 am – noon – Powell Creek NatureMapping Field Trip
(near Yelm) The Powell Creek site is on the Nisqually River. It wasrecently planted to restore the natural habitat for wildlife use along the River, and the Nisqually Land Trust is seeking baseline data on the property. Northwest Trek is helping out with this event, using citizen-scientists in the data collection efforts. This field trip is free, and you do not have to have NatureMapping experience. Participants should come dressed for the weather and for walking in grassy and woody environments and on uneven surfaces. The terrain ranges from level unpaved roads to uneven meadows and forests. Some areas require climbing and manuvering over debris. Please contact Jessica Moore at 360.832.7160 or at Jessica.Moore@nwtrek.org for more information or to sign up.
October 20
9 am – noon – Ohop Creek Restoration NatureMapping Field Trip
(near Eatonville) The South Sound Salmon Enhancement Group, Nisqually Indian Tribe, Nisqually Land Trust and its partners have joined together to restore the creek through the Ohop Valley to its original meandering pathway. Northwest Trek is helping by providing data collection and monitoring of the wildlife in the project area, using citizen-scientists in the data collection efforts—which is what this event will involve. This field trip is free, and you do not have to have NatureMapping experience. Participants should come dressed for the weather and for walking in a wet environment on uneven surfaces. Please contact Jessica Moore at 360.832.7160 or at Jessica.Moore@nwtrek.org for more information or to sign up for a field trip.
November 10
10 am – noon – Enhancing Wetlands Through Native Plantings Workshop
(Northwest Trek: 11610 Trek Drive East; Eatonville 98328-9502) Join Northwest Trek staff for this two-hour workshop to learn how to enhance your wetlands through native planting and natural landscaping methods. This workshop will begin with a 30-minute indoor lecture and finish with 1-1/2 hours of planting outdoors on Trek property. Workshop materials, gloves, tools and plants will be provided. Please bring water and snacks. This workshop is free—however, class size is limited to 15 participants. Contact Jessica Moore at 360-832-7160 or Jessica.moore@nwtrek.org to reserve your spot today!
December 8
10 am – noon – Enhancing Wetlands Through Native Plantings Workshop
(Northwest Trek: 11610 Trek Drive East; Eatonville 98328-9502) Join Northwest Trek staff for this two-hour workshop to learn how to enhance your wetlands through native planting and natural landscaping methods. This workshop will begin with a 30-minute indoor lecture and finish with 1-1/2 hours of planting outdoors on Trek property. Workshop materials, gloves, tools and plants will be provided. Please bring water and snacks. This workshop is free—however, class size is limited to 15 participants. Contact Jessica Moore at 360-832-7160 or Jessica.moore@nwtrek.org to reserve your spot today!