See List BelowCollect Prairie Seeds on South Sound Prairies
In the next few weeks, volunteers and staff from the Center for Natural Lands Management will be travelling to different sites to flag plants and collect seed, for use in future prairie restoration projects. Seed collection time is a great time to start volunteering with CNLM, and learn about prairie plants. No previous experience is needed: there will always be a team leader to identify the targeted plants and to advise when there are questions. At the beginning of the season, some time is spent finding and flagging good sites for later collection. Teams go to all the CNLM- and partner-managed prairies: Mima Mounds, Morgan Property, Rocky Prairie, Scatter Creek, West Rocky, and Wolf Haven. So if you enjoy exploring the prairies, give seed collecting a try! Email Marion Jarisch, Seed Collection Coordinator, at marionjarisch@comcast.com to get on the team list.
Planning a Car Wash Fundraiser? Get a free car wash kit!
Make sure your car wash fundraiser isn’t polluting our local creeks and streams. Host a Clean Cars, Clean Streams car wash! The location of your car wash is very important to prevent polluted soapy car wash water from entering local streams via storm drains. Soap and grime washes off cars contains pollutants that are toxic to fish and other aquatic life. Call your local Storm and Surface Water Utility first: we can help you sponsor a non-pollution car wash. Staff from the Stormwater Utility will determine if the site has appropriate water treatment to clean the car wash water. Once an approved site is identified, use the Clean Cars—Clean Streams car wash kit to show that you group’s charity car wash is “fish-friendly.” Each car wash kit contains buckets, sponges, biodegradable non-toxic soap, hose nozzles, and a Clean Cars—Clean Streams sign to show your customers that your group cares about water quality, too. To get a free, fish-friendly car wash kit, call the coordinator in your city: City of Lacey, 360-438-2687; City of Olympia, 360-753-8346; City of Tumwater, 360-754-4148; outside these areas in Thurston County, 360-754-4681, ext. 4.
RECURRING EVENTS
Tuesdays
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
9:30 am – 12 pm: Yashiro Japanese Garden
Join the Stewards of the Yashiro Japanese Garden to help maintain and care for the garden. Volunteers meet weekly to rake, weed and provide ongoing maintenance to this well loved park. Parking is available in the Lee Creighton Justice Center parking lot at 900 Plum Street SE.
4 – 7 pm: West Olympia Farmers’ Market
(Parking lot of Gloria Dei Church: 1515 Harrison Ave NW—at Harrison & Thomas—in Olympia) Farmers, artisans and producers are from Thurston County, and most work and live on the west side of Olympia. Most produce small-scale, and many only sell to the public through the West Olympia Farmers’ Market. Produce, baked goods, eggs, flowers, veggie starts, crafts, tool sharpening and more! Support your local producers: by shopping at your neighborhood market you are helping our local economy grow and flourish by encouraging small-scale producers to meet the needs of our community.
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 the entire walk or for as long as you wish.)
4-7 pm: GRuB Farm Drop-In Volunteer Day
Every Wednesday, GRuB has a drop-in volunteer sessions on the farm on the Westside of Olympia. We have plenty of tools and extra rain gear, boots and gloves if you don’t have your own. Each week we’ll tackle the most pressing tasks on the farm and have lots of fun getting to know each other in the process. Volunteers need to have an approved volunteer packet already submitted beforehand. Go to http://goodgrub.org/volunteer/ for the necessary forms.
Thursdays
10 am – 3 pm – Olympia Farmers’ Market
(700 N Capitol Way; Olympia 98501) Fresh organic produce; Washington-grown fruits & meats; fresh fish, clams & oysters; dried herbs; fresh-cut flowers; breads; desserts; eggs; cheeses; jams & jellies; great food; quality locally grown plants & flowers; lots of fun; art and crafts from local artisans; live entertainment! For more information, go to http://olympiafarmersmarket.com.
Fridays
10 am – 3 pm – Olympia Farmers’ Market
Saturdays
10 am – 3 pm – Olympia Farmers’ Market
Sundays
10 am – 3 pm – Olympia Farmers’ Market
Tuesday May 29
9 am – 3 pm – South Sound Prairie Restoration Work Party
We will be meeting at Glacial Heritage. Outdoor priorities include: pulling Scot’s broom in the southwest oak stand; prepping the burn pile; collecting Western Buttercup seed (Ranunculus occidentalis); and weeding raised beds and snooding plants at Shotwell’s Landing Nursery. Indoor priorities include cleaning mason bee boxes. If the weather is sunny, Cheryl Fimbel, CNLM’s Rare Species Ecologist, will be leading a pollinator lecture and field walk in the mid-morning. As always, please make sure to bring gloves, lunch, rain gear, and a smile. For more information, contact Audrey Lamb with the Center for Natural Lands Management—South Sound Program, at alamb@cnlm.org. 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 (Reminder: students wishing to do this for credit only need to stay for 3 hours.)
Thursday, May 31
3:15 – 4:50 pm — Evergreen Masters in Environmental Science Thesis Presentations
(Lecture Hall 2, Evergreen State College: 2700 Evergreen Parkway NW; Olympia 98505) 3:15 – Opening Remarks
3:30-3:50 – Sarah Weber: Environmental Education in Prison: A Comparison of Teaching Methods and Their Impacts on Inmates’ Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Environmental Topics.
3:50-4:10 – Melissa Pico: Ua ku i kāhi haiki: Obstacles & Successes in Cultivating Traditional Hawaiian Resource Management on Moloka‘i & O‘ahu.
4:10-4:30 – Dave Kangiser: Analysis of Photographic Evidence of Megafauna Detections near Selected Wildlife Crossing Structures on Washington State Highways.
4:30-4:50 – Zach Maskin: An Analysis of Hydrogen Production Costs Utilizing Base-load and Surplus Hydroelectric Power in Washington State.
For more information, go to http://evergreen.edu/mes/thesispresentation.htm. EXTRA CREDIT (2 points)
5:30 – 7:30 pm – How to Organically Manage Weeds & Pests
(GRuB Farmhouse: 2016 Elliott Ave NW; Olympia) Learn how to deal with difficult weeds and pest problems without the use of environmentally-harmful products. Cost is $5—but it is FREE if you are a KGP, Sunrise, or Yauger Park community gardener. You must register to attend, by going to www.goodgrub.org. EXTRA CREDIT (2 points)
6:30 – 7:30 pm – Northwest Bats!
(Shelton Timberland Library) Explore the world of Northwest Bats with Greg Falxa of Cascadia Research. An expert in radio tracking, Greg has studied regional bat populations since 2001. Granted unique access to Fort Lewis, he tracks the base’s threatened colonies and works on roosting structures. Expand your knowledge of these threatened denizens in our environment. This program is supported by the Friends of the Shelton Timberland Library and Timberland Regional Library and takes place outside normal Library hours. EXTRA CREDIT (1 point)
Friday, June 1
9 am – 12 pm – Upland & Forest 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. EVENT REVIEW
10:00 am – 3:00 pm – Evergreen’s Science Carnival and Research Exposition
(LAB I, LAB II, and Lecture Halls at The Evergreen State College: 2700 Evergreen Parkway NW; Olympia 98505) Prepare to be amazed at Evergreen’s Science Carnival and Research Exposition on June 1 & 2. The science carnival is free and open to the public and offers hundreds of presentations from Evergreen science students, with an emphasis on demonstration, hands on participation and fun. Designed for students from kindergarten through grade 12—or anyone with an interest in science—the Science Carnival will present excitement, explosive expansions of knowledge, and exploration of unbelievable phenomena. Topics covered will include chemistry, computer science, biology, food science, health, physics, optics, geology, marine science and a wide range of other disciplines. Anyone with an interest in science will enjoy the science carnival, the largest event of its kind in Washington. Go to http://www.evergreen.edu/events/sciencecarnival to learn more.
Saturday, June 2
6:30 am – 12:30 pm – Black Hills Audubon Society Field Trip: West Rocky Prairie
This is a new trip to a relatively new unit of South Puget Sound Wildlife Area. West Rocky Prairie is located near Millersylvania State Park and is one of the largest parcels of high-quality native prairie remaining in Thurston Country. Other habitats include oak woodlands and mixed alder/fir forest. We expect to see a good variety of open-country and forest birds. Please note that the area is undeveloped and has no bathroom facilities. Parking is limited, so we’ll carpool to the site. Group size is limited to 12. Reservation required. Call Gary at 360-943-8786 to reserve your spot. Everyone is welcome to participate—you don’t have to be a BHAS member! For more information, go to http://blackhills-audubon.org/fieldtrips-events.htm. EXTRA CREDIT (2 points)
7:30 am – Birding and Breakfast
The Black Hills Audubon Society is coordinating a new group that meets the first Saturday of every month, to include some socializing into their birding ventures. Everyone is welcome: you don’t have to be a member! We’ll walk and look for birds for a couple hours, then meet again at a local restaurant for breakfast. At 7:30 am, meet at Woodard Bay Natural Reserve. Then meet at the Spar Cafe (114 4th Ave. E, Olympia) for breakfast at 9:30 am. If you want to come for one part of the morning only, feel free to show up when you can. No reservation or registration required for this event. For questions or more information, contact Debbie Nickerson at debranick@gmail.com or at 360-754-5397. EXTRA CREDIT (1 point)
9 – 11 am – Birding Basics: Learning to See
(Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge; Olympia 98516) What subtle cues do experienced birders use to quickly and accurately identify species? Birding is nothing less than the art of seeing, so the techniues used by birders increase awareness of all things natural. Refuge Ranger Michael Schramm will guide you through the estuary’s diverse habitats on an odyssey of avian discovery, all the while teaching the ins and outs of birding. Meet at the landing overlooking the pond at the Visitor Center – and remember to bring binoculars! The program is free once you pay the refuge entry fee ($3 per vehicle). EXTRA CREDIT (1 pt)
9 am – 12 pm – National Trails Day and REI Family Adventure Kickoff at Titlow Park
(Tacoma) Celebrate National Trails Day with REI and the Green Tacoma Partnership. Help groom trails for half an hour and then go play! REI will have free family geocaching classes, as well as a Kids Adventure Area with cool activities and crafts. Learn how to make your own hiking memory bandana or leaf rubbings. Investigate the importance of pH for Titlow’s streams with Stream Team. We’ll also have REI Kids Adventure Journals for all children! Volunteer work is family friendly and accessible—we’ll be raking trails and identifying a few invasive species. This event is great for all ages and abilities. For more information or to register for this event, go to http://cedar.greencitypartnerships.org/event/gtp/1074. EXTRA CREDIT (2 points)
9 am – 12 pm – National Trails Day Event at Pt. Defiance
(Tacoma) Celebrate, care for, and enjoy local trails and green spaces on National Trails Day! Volunteers will be performing trail maintenance to increase trail safety and accessibility. For more information or to register for this event, go to http://cedar.greencitypartnerships.org/event/gtp/1075. EXTRA CREDIT (2 points)
9 am – 7 pm – Mother Earth News Fair
(Puyallup Fairgrounds) The Mother Earth News Fair is a fun-filled, family-oriented sustainable lifestyle events that feature dozens of practical, hands-on demonstrations and workshops. The sustainable lifestyle magazine will be brought to life and will feature an anticipated 150 hands-on, practical demonstrations and workshops from leading authorities. In addition, an anticipated 250 regional and national exhibitors and vendors featuring sustainable lifestyle products and services will also be on hand. For more information, go to http://www.motherearthnews.com/fair/Puyallup.aspx. EXTRA CREDIT (1 point)
9 am – 3 pm – Cultivating Agritourism in Thurston County
(Heritage Hall, Thurston County Fairgrounds: 3054 Carpenter Road; Lacey 98503) Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers and land stewards are embracing agritourism and ecotourism as a way to boost the local economy, protect farmland and natural ecosystems, preserve traditions, educate the public, and satisfy the growing interest in agricultural and ecological tourism attractions. Discover if agritourism or ecotourism in Thurston County and the Puget Sound region of western Washington State is in your future at this free event! Event Schedule: welcome by County Commissioner Sandra Romero; Curtis Beus, Washington State University Extension, on “Agritourism: Cultivating Tourists on the Farm”; overview of the recently adopted Thurston County Agritourism Overlay District; complimentary lunch provided by the Visitor and Convention Bureau; panel discussion with local agritourism and ecotourism operators; resources for moving forward with your agritourism and ecotourism business idea. All FREE with registration! To register, call the Visitor & Convention Bureau at (360) 704-7544 or email brenthunter@visitolympia.com.
9:30 am – 2:30 pm – Skookum Wulge/Squally Beach Restoration Project
(4610 Marine View Dr; Tacoma 98422) Skookum Wulge and Squally Beach are 2 restoration sites just a short ways apart on Marine View Dr. They are well-established sites that need some light invasive removal done to keep those unwanted, non-native species in check. We will work a little bit at each site. Citizens for a Healthy Bay will supply tools and lunch. Please pre-register with Jeanine Riss at jriss@healthybay.org or 253-383-2429. We will meet at Skookum Wulge. EVENT REVIEW
10:00 am – 1:00 pm – Watershed Park Work Party & Celebration
(2500 Henderson Blvd. SE; Olympia) Celebrate National Trails Day with REI and Olympia Park Stewardship at Watershed Park. We’ll groom trails, pull invasive plants, and get the park ready for summer. All volunteers will get an REI ‘Get Dirty’ tech tee and can enter to win prizes. We’ll provide the snacks, tools, and work gloves. Wear sturdy shoes and clothes than can get dirty. Join Stream Team after the work party from 1-2pm for a guided activity through historic Watershed Park. Learn about the park’s history, plants, trees and springs! Suitable for all ages, and a great event for children and adults alike! Please register ahead of time, by going to http://www.rei.com/event/37582/session/47409. We will meet at the trail entrance on Henderson Boulevard. 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 or have a parents’ signature on the sign-in roster at the project work site. For more information, contact Sylvana Niehuser, City of Olympia Park Ranger, at (360) 753-8365. EVENT REVIEW
10:00 am – 3:00 pm – Evergreen’s Science Carnival and Research Exposition
(LAB I, LAB II, and Lecture Halls at The Evergreen State College: 2700 Evergreen Parkway NW; Olympia 98505) See June 1 entry for details.
1:00 – 2:30 pm – Is a Flourishing Earth Possible? What are the Challenges for Modern Business?
(The Evergreen State College, Seminar 2, E 1105: 2700 Evergreen Parkway NW; Olympia 98505) Philosopher, professor, and editor of Science, Wisdom, and the Future: Humanity’s Quest for a Flourishing Earth, Cheryl Genet, Ph.D. will explore important themes that arise from conversations among the book’s authors, including: our interconnectedness with all life; the importance of community, relationships, and wisdom; our impact on living systems and resources of our planet; the urgent need to address our daunting reality and our future; our scientific cosmology’s capacity to inform and guide us. Free and open to the public. Sponsored by: Business and Sustainability: Myth or Method? (an Evergreen program led by Bob McIntosh and Rebecca Chamberlain); Social Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Business Management (Thuy Vu), and Evergreen’s academic deans. EXTRA CREDIT (2 points)
4:00 pm – VAN JONES SPEAKS
(College Recreation Center, The Evergreen State College: 2700 Evergreen Parkway NW; Olympia 98505) Rebuild the Dream author Van Jones reflects on his journey from grassroots outsider to White House insider. As a civil rights and environmental advocate and an attorney in Oakland, California, working to combine solutions to social inequality and environmental justice, Van Jones founded the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights—a California non-governmental organization working for alternatives to violence. In 2007 he founded Green For All, a national NGO dedicated to “building an inclusive green economy strong enough to lift people out of poverty.” In 1998 he was awarded the Reebok Human Rights Award, and in 2008 wrote The Green Collar Economy: A Revolutionary Plan to End Global Warming, Beat Poverty, and Unite America that reached #12 on the New York Times Best Seller List. In March of 2009 he was appointed by President Obama to the position of Special Advisor for Green Jobs, where he worked to advance the administration’s climate and energy initiatives. Jones currently is a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and a senior policy advisor for Green For All. He holds a joint appointment at Princeton University, as a distinguished visiting fellow in both the Center for African American Studies and in the Program in Science, Technology and Environmental Policy at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. Student tickets are $7 in advance at the TESC Bookstore, and $10 at the door for students, staff and faculty with ID. General admission is $15 in advance or $20 at the door. EXTRA CREDIT (2 points)
Sunday, June 3
10 am – 12 noon – The Photographer’s Eye: The Basics of Outdoor Photography
(Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge; Olympia 98516) Nature photography offers individuals the opportunity to develop their finer naturalist instincts and vision, and the beginner’s eye is often the eye that sees most clearly. With this in mind, experienced Refuge photographer John Whitehead offers guidance in technique and composition, with emphasis on learning to utilizing manual settings in order to more completely capture the image you want to capture. Meet at the Visitor Center. The program is free once you pay the refuge entry fee ($3 per vehicle).
10:30 am – 1:30 pm – Beach Naturalist Program at Tolmie State Park
Trained Beach Naturalists from the South Sound Estuary Association will be available to talk with beach goers about the sea life that lives in and depends on the intertidal environment, as well as what we can do to protect this fragile ecosystem. The full schedule of Beach Naturalist Program dates can be found at http://sseacenter.wordpress.com/events/jbeachnaturalistsummerschedule.
10:30 am – 3 pm – Boat tours in Totten inlet
(Carlyon Beach Club House: 2719 Island Drive NW; Olympia 98502) Come see industrial aqua-culture and meet people working to protect Puget Sound from this industrial farming. We will also raise money for the various appeals as they move forward. RSVP is required. To sign up, and for more information, email info.southsoundsierra@gmail.com. Space is limited, so reserve your spot soon! Sponsored by Protect our Shorelines; Association for the Protection of Hammersley, Eld and Totten Inlets; Case Inlet Association; and South Sound Sierra Group. EXTRA CREDIT (2 points)
11:30 am – 2:30 pm – Beach Naturalist at Priest Point Park
(Olympia) Join the Beach Naturalists from South Sound Estuary Association at low tide on the beach at Priest Point Park! Try and find critters in their natural habitat and learn fun facts about them. Maybe you’ll find a Manila Clam or a Red Rock Crab. Contact: Leihla Scharlau (leihla@sseacenter.org or 360-888-0565).
Tuesday, June 5
3:15 – 5:30 pm — Evergreen Masters in Environmental Science Thesis Presentations
(Lecture Hall 2, Evergreen State College: 2700 Evergreen Parkway NW; Olympia 98505)
3:15 – Opening Remarks
3:30-3:50 – Ryan Kruse: An Analysis of Nutria (Myocastor coypus) as an Ecological Threat and its Current Status in Washington State.
3:50-4:10 – Jason Lim: Occurrence and Distribution of Toxic Pseudo Nitzschia Events in Washington State: Analysis of Scientific Data and Policy Responses.
4:10-4:30 – Andy Kociubuk: Consumption of Microplastic Particles by the Pacific Oyster, Crassostreaigas: Examining the Biological Impacts of Plastic Pollution on a Commercially Important Shellfish Species.
4:50-5:10 — Lola Flores: Valuing Ecosystem Services: Opportunities for Increased Protection and Conservation in Clallam County, WA.
5:10-5:30 – Matt Ritter: Evaluation of Priorities and Costs in Species Recovery Plans: Sonoran Pronghorn (Antilocarpa americana sonorensis), Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis sierra) and Louisiana Black Bear (Ursus americanus luteoluas).
For more information, go to http://evergreen.edu/mes/thesispresentation.htm. EXTRA CREDIT (2 points)
Wednesday, June 6
3:15 – 5:30 pm — Evergreen Masters in Environmental Science Thesis Presentations
(Lecture Hall 2, Evergreen State College: 2700 Evergreen Parkway NW; Olympia 98505)
3:15 – Opening Remarks
3:30-3:50 – LaDena Stamets: Best Mycorestoration Practices for Habitat Restoration of Small Land Parcels.
3:50-4:10 – Tim Rogers: Experimental Evaluation of the Use of Pleurotus ostreatus as a Mycoremediation Approach to Removing Escherichia Coli from Solution.
4:10-4:30 – Amanda Lucus: An Evaluation of Collaborative Households as an Effective Model for Incorporating Pluralism in Sustainable Urbanism.
4:50-5:10 – Lori Peterson: Measuring Growth Management Goal Achievement in the Nisqually Watershed: A Multivariate Analysis Using GIS and Hydrologic Impact Modeling.
5:10-5:30 – Anna Wederspahn: Managing Young Stands in Western Washington to Expedite Complex Forest Structure and Biotic Diversity: Review, Rationale and Recommendations.
For more information, go to http://evergreen.edu/mes/thesispresentation.htm. EXTRA CREDIT (2 points)
6 – 8 pm – McLane Creek Nature Trail Maintenance Work Party
(Olympia, west side) Stream Team and WSU Native Plant Salvage Project are seeking volunteers to help with trail maintenance activities at the McLane Creek Nature Trail, to help trim plants that are encroaching on the trail. This event will occur rain or shine. Volunteers should wear sturdy shoes and dress appropriately for the weather. Stream Team and Native Plant Salvage Project will provide gloves, tools, and pizza. That’s right!—pizza will be provided to fuel volunteers up, as this event takes place at dinner time. Volunteers will be issued a free one-day parking pass. Youth under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult, but students can earn community service hours. Please let us know you are coming by e-mailing us at nativeplantsalvage@gmail.com or calling or 360-867-2166, 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
8 am – 12 noon – Black Hills Audubon Society Field Trip: Woodard Bay for Beginners
This walk is designed primarily for beginning birders. Everyone is welcome to participate—you don’t have to be a BHAS member! We will look and listen for woodland birds such as Swainson’s Thrushes, Pacific Wrens, Brown Creepers, Pacific-slope Flycatchers, and Black-headed Grosbeaks as we walk through the deep forest of cedars and Douglas fir to Henderson Inlet. At Henderson Inlet we may see Cormorants, Purple Martins, Great Blue Herons, and seals. We expect to walk the approximately two-mile loop, out to the water on an easy woodland trail with boardwalk sections and returning on a pedestrian-only road. Reservation required. To sign up, call Black Hills Audubon at 360-352-7299. Limit 15 persons. For more information, go to http://blackhills-audubon.org/fieldtrips-events.htm.
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)
9 am – 12 pm – Julia’s Gulch Work Party
(Tacoma) We will continue ridding the site of the invasive Himalayan Blackberry and spreading wood chips. Tools will be provided, but if you have a favorite bring it along, especially clippers, pitch forks and pointed shovels. Dress appropriately. Don’t forget a water bottle and heavy gloves. We’ll meet at View Point Park at 9 am and work until noon. From Marine View Dr turn onto Norpoint Way NE—View Point Park will be on the right as you travel up the hill.
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.
10 am – 1 pm – Priest Point Park Work Party
(2600 East Bay Drive NE; Olympia) Come out to Priest Point Park and help participate in an ongoing restoration project. We will pull invasive English ivy and make “life savers” around our native trees! We will also remove other invasive non-native plants that harm our ecosystem. Kids who come out can learn about our Junior Ranger Program. We will meet near the playground parking lot. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes or boots that can get wet and muddy. Youth under age 14 must be accompanied by an adult, and all youth under 18 years must have a signed Waiver and Medical Alert or have a parents’ signature on the sign-in roster at the project work site. For more information, contact Sylvana Niehuser, City of Olympia Park Ranger, at (360) 753-8365.
10 am – 4 pm – 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 or contact the Native Plant Salvage Project at 360-867-2166 or nativeplantsalvage@gmail.com.
10 am – 1 pm – How to Keep a Wave on the Sand: Capturing the Outdoors in Photographs
(Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge; Olympia 98516) Come learn some basic and professional outdoor photography techniques and tips from writer and national photographer Greg Farley. Learn to take your camera off the “automatic” settings and onto the “manual” settings in just a couple of hours. Workshop participants will spend time inside learning camera operations, then head outside to apply what they’ve learned. Never again let nature’s beauty escape your lens! Bring your camera (film, DSLR, or point and shoot), extra batteries and a sense of adventure! Meet in the Visitor Center auditorium. The program is free once you pay the refuge entry fee ($3 per vehicle).
10:30 am – 3 pm – Boat tours in Totten inlet
(Carlyon Beach Club House: 2719 Island Drive NW; Olympia 98502) Come see industrial aqua-culture and meet people working to protect Puget Sound from this industrial farming. We will also raise money for the various appeals as they move forward. RSVP is required. To sign up, and for more information, email info.southsoundsierra@gmail.com. Space is limited, so reserve your spot soon! Sponsored by Protect our Shorelines; Association for the Protection of Hammersley, Eld and Totten Inlets; Case Inlet Association; and South Sound Sierra Group.
5:30 – 11:00 pm – Sea Cinema
(Capitol Theatre, Olympia) Join Stream Team for a FREE evening of films to celebrate World Oceans Day. In its 5th year, the Sea Cinema film festival features local and international films, animated shorts and interesting documentaries, and a film that is sure to please everyone in attendance. OAR NW will be speaking at the film festival and parking their spectacular boat outside the theatre for people to check out. (If you aren’t familiar with OAR NW, they are the group who recently circumnavigated Vancouver Island in a row boat, in preparation for rowing across the Atlantic!) Stream Team will be raffling off a kayak trip for two to a lucky Sea Cinema audience member. Come out for a night of enlightening films, an engaging speaker and a chance to win some amazing raffle prizes! For the schedule and more information, go to www.seacinema.org.
Sunday, June 10
1 – 2:30 pm – The Nisqually and Medicine Creek: Where Nature, Culture and History Converge
(Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge; Olympia 98516) Lynn Corliss leads you down history’s winding path on this historic tour. Learn about the events surrounding the signing of the Medicine Creek Treaty; explore how the Nisqually people came to the Nisqually delta and how their lives changed with the settlement of Europeans. This walk will also focus on the significant events that surrounded the signing of the Medicine Creek Treaty. Discover important things about the people who enjoyed this land before you did. Meet at the flagpole in front of the Visitor Center. The program is free once you pay the refuge entry fee ($3 per vehicle).
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.
Monday, June 11
7 – 9 pm – Solarize Thurston
(MIXX 96 Meeting Room: corner of State & Washington in downtown Olympia) Be a part of Thurston County’s energy solution! Join with your community and bring the power of solar into your home or business. Solarize Thurston is a community group effort designed to bring solar energy to local homes. Thurston Energy is working with Northwest SEED to bring this proven process for getting communities and groups to work together to get the best prices and practical solutions for solar. Learn how collaborative purchasing works, and how to access the financing opportunities that are available—some of them exclusively for Thurston County residents! This program is open to the public, but seating is limited. Please bring your own mug. Sponsored by Transition Olympia. For more information, contact Thurston Energy at 360-528-2112 or www.solarizethurston.org.
Tuesday, June 12
Peter Dunwiddie is hosting a grass i.d. training at Glacial Heritage for anyone who will be helping CNLM collect seed this summer.
Thursday, June 14
9 – 11 am – Air Quality Inspection Fee for Gasoline Vapor Recovery Systems
(Dept of Ecology Lacey Headquarters, R3A-07: 300 Desmond Drive; Lacey) This video conference meeting will focus on re-establishing fees for conducting air quality inspections of gasoline dispensing facilities—and applies to San Juan County and central and eastern Washington (except Spokane, Yakima and Benton counties). Contact: Elena Guilfoil, (360) 407-6855 / egui461@ecy.wa.gov.
Friday, June 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.
Saturday, June 16
8 am – 12 pm – Tilley Wetlands Bird Watching Trip
(Tenino) Do you have an embarrassing number of bird-related books stashed away on shelves at home? Or do you, like me, want to join this crazy world of birding but don’t know how? If you answer ‘yes’ to any of these questions, I have good news for you: Capitol Land Trust and Black Hills Audubon are hosting a birding event at Capitol Land Trust’s Tilley West property in Tenino! Bird enthusiasts from Black Hills Audubon—Sam Merrill (President) and Whittier Johnson (Co-vice President)—will lead us through this 60-acre parcel of prairie and mixed forest habitat, keeping our eyes and ears open for birds. Many of the song birds we hope to see will have just arrived from their wintering grounds from the south. Near the end of our event, there will an opportunity to ask our bird enthusiasts questions and refreshment will be provided. Join us as we learn to identify birds and practice our birding skills! Birders and non-birders of all experience levels are welcome. To maximize the number of birds we see, we will set the max at 15 people. The admission fee will be $10. If you have questions or would like to RSVP, email Rony Thi at rony@capitollandtrust.org or call her at 360-913-3012. She will send out directions to the site and what to bring for the event to those that RSVP.
9 am – 12 pm – McKinley Park Cleanup Work Party
(500 E Mc Kinley Way; Tacoma 98404) 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.
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!
10 am – 1 pm – Birds of a Feather: Take Flight on a Bird Walk
(Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge; Olympia 98516) With spring migration in full swing, the Refuge is all aflutter! Experience the thrill of seeing swallows (four different species) or the “wichity wichity” of the common yellowthroat! Join birder Eric Slagle, an expert who knows the ins and outs of birding at Nisqually, for a bird walk full of the sights and sounds of one of the Refuge’s largest treasures – the birds! Meet at the landing overlooking the pond at the Visitor Center. The program is free once you pay the refuge entry fee ($3 per vehicle).
10:30 am – 4:00 pm – Habitat Steward Orientation
(Tacoma Nature Center: 1919 S. Tyler St; Tacoma) Are you interested in becoming a Green Tacoma Partnership Habitat Steward? If so, then join us for this orientation workshop. Learn about restoration and maintenance techniques, volunteer engagement and running restoration work parties, and Habitat Steward commitments. Training materials will be provided. Please RSVP at http://cedar.greencitypartnerships.org/event/gtp/1110. For more information, contact Jennifer Chang at jchang@forterra.org or at 253-383-7245.
10:30 am – 3 pm – Boat tours in Totten inlet
(Carlyon Beach Club House: 2719 Island Drive NW; Olympia 98502) Come see industrial aqua-culture and meet people working to protect Puget Sound from this industrial farming. We will also raise money for the various appeals as they move forward. RSVP is required. To sign up, and for more information, email info.southsoundsierra@gmail.com. Space is limited, so reserve your spot soon! Sponsored by Protect our Shorelines; Association for the Protection of Hammersley, Eld and Totten Inlets; Case Inlet Association; and South Sound Sierra Group.
11 am – 2012 Lupine Pasture Walk
(Boistfort) Begins at the Baw Faw Grange Hall. Go to www.malloneefarms.com or contact maynard@malloneefarms.com for details.
2 – 4 pm – How to Compost
(GRuB Farmhouse: 2016 Elliott Ave NW; Olympia) Reduce your waste disposal costs and build your garden soil by composting. We’ll also cover the basics of starting your own worm composting bin. Cost is $5—but it is FREE if you are a KGP, Sunrise, or Yauger Park community gardener. You must register to attend, by going to www.goodgrub.org.
Sunday, June 17
10 – 11:30 am – It’s in Your Nature: Exploring the Wild
(Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge; Olympia 98516) From bitterns to butterflies, chickadees to crabapples, the Refuge is home to many types of wildlife. Join naturalist Donna Snow on a nature walk that is sure to teach you something new about the creatures of the Refuge. Meet in the Visitor Center. The program is free once you pay the refuge entry fee ($3 per vehicle).
Tuesday, June 19
6:00 pm – Public Hearing on Impact Fees for New Development
(Room 280, Building 1 of the Thurston County Courthouse: 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW; Olympia 98502) The Thurston County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing regarding an ordinance on adopting impact fees for new development. The purpose of the hearing will be to accept public comment on whether the County should adopt an ordinance for impact fees—fees for transportation, recreation facilities and parks. The collection of fees to fund public infrastructure is not new to Thurston County: the County has been collecting State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) impact fees for the last twenty years. The primary differences between SEPA and GMA impact fees are:
- SEPA fees are negotiated between the developer and public works department, school district, and county for each project—whereas GMA fees are established on a service-area basis given the cost to construct transportation, park and school projects within the service area.
- SEPA fees are typically used to fund specific improvements in the immediate vicinity of the proposed development—whereas GMA fees are used to fund improvements on the transportation, parks or school system within a service area.
- Finally, smaller developments are exempt from SEPA mitigation fees, thus cumulative impacts from several small developments lead to impacts that are not funded by new development and must be funded from other sources such as property taxes or bonds and levies—whereas GMA fees can be collected from all new residential and commercial development regardless of size.
For more info, go to http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/planning/impact/impact_home.html and see story in the Olympian at http://www.theolympian.com/2012/05/28/2120370/county-eyes-impact-fees.html. A draft copy of the ordinance and the study will be available at that website by May 29.
Wednesday, June 20
10:30 am – 12 pm – Plant Walk at Adriana Hess Wetland Park
(2917 Morrison Rd W, University Place 98466) Take a lunch break and enjoy a guided plant walk at a local urban park to learn how you can use native plants to attract wildlife to your yard. The Adriana Hess Wetland Park was preserved by the Hess Family and given to the city of University Place in 1995, and since then has undergone a transformation from a backyard to an urban wildlife sanctuary. Join us to discover the possibilities and get inspired! Volunteers at Tahoma Audubon Society provide monthly walks on the third Monday of each month. Pick up a free Donna Cooper Pepos Native Plant Trail Guide and come by anytime. Adults and families welcome. FREE. Call 253-565-9278 to sign up or for more information.
4 – 7pm – GRuB Neighborhood Market Stand
(GRuB Farm: 2016 Elliott Ave NW, Olympia) Weekly market stand featuring the best of what’s available from the farm at fair prices. Staffed by farm interns and youth in GRuB School Summer Program. Accepts cash, check and EBT.
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.
10 am – 1 pm – How to Keep a Wave on the Sand: Capturing the Outdoors in Photographs
(Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge; Olympia 98516) Come learn some basic and professional outdoor photography techniques and tips from writer and national photographer Greg Farley. Learn to take your camera off the “automatic” settings and onto the “manual” settings in just a couple of hours. Workshop participants will spend time inside learning camera operations, then head outside to apply what they’ve learned. Never again let nature’s beauty escape your lens! Bring your camera (film, DSLR, or point and shoot), extra batteries and a sense of adventure! Meet in the Visitor Center auditorium. The program is free once you pay the refuge entry fee ($3 per vehicle).
10 am – 12 noon – It’s in Your Nature: Exploring the Wild
(Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge; Olympia 98516) From bitterns to butterflies, chickadees to crabapples, the Refuge is home to many types of wildlife. Join naturalist Donna Snow on a nature walk that is sure to teach you something new about the creatures of the Refuge. Meet in the Visitor Center. The program is free once you pay the refuge entry fee ($3 per vehicle).
10:30 am – 3 pm – Boat tours in Totten inlet
(Carlyon Beach Club House: 2719 Island Drive NW; Olympia 98502) Come see industrial aqua-culture and meet people working to protect Puget Sound from this industrial farming. We will also raise money for the various appeals as they move forward. RSVP is required. To sign up, and for more information, email info.southsoundsierra@gmail.com. Space is limited, so reserve your spot soon! Sponsored by Protect our Shorelines; Association for the Protection of Hammersley, Eld and Totten Inlets; Case Inlet Association; and South Sound Sierra Group.
Sunday, June 24
10 am – 12 noon – Nature Up Close: Introduction to Macro Nature Photography
(Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge; Olympia 98516) Dew drops on flower petals; the eyes of insects. These details represent the oft overlooked true visual poetry of nature. Join Refuge photographer John Whitehead for discussion, demonstration, and practice of up close nature photography. Meet in the Visitor Center. The program is free once you pay the refuge entry fee ($3 per vehicle).
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.
Saturday, 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.
10 am – 1 pm – Birds of a Feather: Take Flight on a Bird Walk
(Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge; Olympia 98516) With spring migration in full swing, the Refuge is all aflutter! Experience the thrill of seeing swallows (four different species) or the “wichity wichity” of the common yellowthroat! Join birder Eric Slagle, an expert who knows the ins and outs of birding at Nisqually, for a bird walk full of the sights and sounds of one of the Refuge’s largest treasures – the birds! Meet at the landing overlooking the pond at the Visitor Center. The program is free once you pay the refuge entry fee ($3 per vehicle).
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!