| City of Redmond Fish and Fish Habitat Distribution Study |
| Island County Creek Restoration Planning |
| King County Water Type Survey |
| Vashon Island Water Type Survey |
| Port Ludlow Water Type Survey |
April 2004
Logistics: 11am – 12:30pm, NW Stream Center in McCollum Park, 600 - 128th St. SE, Everett.
Description: Join Jake Jacobson for a powerpoint presentation on beavers‹ nature's engineers. Find out if beavers really do eat trees! Why do they dam and how do they know to repair their dams? Weather permitting, we will take small groups out to North Creek in McCollum Park to observe evidence of beavers and their work. The Imax Video BEAVERS will be shown after the presentation.
Age: 6 and up with adult supervision
Tickets: $4 Members/ $6 Non-members. Advance purchase necessary. Class size minimum of 15.
For more information: call 425-316-8592.
Bird Language Training Series
Sponsored by the Wilderness Awareness School
Logistics: Duvall, 9am-4pm; $60/session or $150/series
Session Topics: "Voices of the Birds"- Saturday, April 10;
"The Shapes of Alarm" -Saturday, April 24; and "The Routines of
Invisibility" - Saturday, May 8
Description: This new Training Series is packed with intriguing
activities where you will experience the expanded awareness that results from
interpreting the language of birds. We will study birds and explore keys to
translating their language and behavior. You will leave with tools that will
foster a richer appreciation of birds and, through them, the rest of the
natural world.
For more information and to register, follow the link
from our Puget Sound Programs Calendar, http://www.wildernessawareness.org/SeattleCalen.html,
or call 425-788-1301.
Applications Now Being Accepted!
Sponsored by the Skagit Conservation District
Description: Are you interested in meeting new friends, learning from local experts about the wonders of the Skagit watershed, and participating in meaningful community projects? The Skagit Conservation District is now accepting applications for the Spring 2004 Watershed Masters Volunteer Training Program. This year, the popular program will focus on the ecology of the Padilla Bay Watershed and the training will be held at the Bay View Civic Hall, located at 12615 C Street in Bay View. The Watershed Masters Program is intended for community residents, age 17 and up, who are aspiring to increase their knowledge about local watersheds, water quality, and beach and stream ecology.
Participants attend 8 evening sessions, held weekly beginning Monday, April 12th thru June 7th (no class on May 31st) and 3 Saturday field excursions. In return for 40 hours of FREE training, participants provide 40 hours of volunteer service by participating in local water quality related projects of their choice. The Spring 2004 training was made possible through a Washington Dept. of Ecology Centennial Clean Water Fund Grant received by the Skagit Conservation District. Class limit is 25 (first come basis).
Pre-register before April 8th by contacting Kristi Carpenter, Skagit Conservation District, (360) 428-4313 or email: kristi@skagitcd.org.
April 14 – And every 2nd Wednesday of the Month
Logistics: The sessions will be held on the second Wednesday evening of each month from 7 to 9 p.m. at the WSU King County Extension office, 919 S.W. Grady Way in Renton.
Description: Are you curious about your local environment? Want to find out what you can do to care for our water, land, forest and local food systems? Washington State University King County Extension is pleased to announce Extension Education Nights, a free monthly educational series designed to offer residents of King County useful stewardship information. Community members can pick and choose the topics that interest them. Each session will be presented by WSU King County Extension staff and volunteers.
Extension Education Nights will get underway on April 14 with a session titled "Building Healthy Soils in Your Backyard: Celebrate Earth Day by Getting your Hands Dirty," with Darcy Batura. Come learn quick and easy ways to turn yard trimmings and vegetable scraps into rich soil amendments. WSU Extension Faculty will cover the basics of backyard composting. Compost improves soil quality, retains moisture in the soil, reduces the need for fertilizers on lawns and gardens, preserves landfill space and teaches children an appreciation of the natural world and stewardship principles. Topics to be covered include compost and soils, how to make compost, how composting works, compost bin types, how to harvest and where to use compost, and trouble shooting.
Upcoming Extension Education Night Topics:
May 12: Sustainable Gardens from May through
August, with Elaine Anderson
June 9: Best Management Practices for Pastures, Livestock and Farms,
with Greta Cook
July 14: Fire Protection for Your Woodland and Home with Amy Grotta
Aug 11 Foodshed Stewardship - Reasons and Resources for Eating
Locally, with Sylvia Kantor
Sept 8: Backyard Bird Conservation, with Cara Ianni
Oct 13: Using Bugs to Combat Weeds: How Does Biocontrol Work? with
Tara Zimmerman
Nov 10: Salmon Recovery in Puget Sound Watersheds: The Shared
Strategy and You, with Paul Racette and Barbara Bruell
Dec 8: Flea Beetles: Biology and a Research Update on Organic
Control Options, with Brad Gaolach
For more information, upcoming topics, or to register: Call (206) 205-3130, email darcy.batura@metrokc.gov or visit http://www.metrokc.gov/wsu-ce.
Logistics: 7pm, NW Stream Center in McCollum Park, 600 - 128th St. SE, Everett.
Description: Join natural historian Leo (Buzz) Shaw from the Seattle Aquarium, for an evening of whale tales. The Washington coast is host to the annual migration of gray whales each spring and fall. With slides, learn about the natural history of this most common coastal mammal and explore its current status and future outlook.
Age: 10 years & up
Tickets: $4 Members/ $6 Non-members. Advance purchase necessary.
For more information: call 425-316-8592.
Logistics: 7pm, NW Stream Center in McCollum Park, 600 - 128th St. SE, Everett.
Description: Join herpetologist Rob Arlen for a powerpoint presentation of the natural history of frogs and other amphibians. In addition, there will be a live collection of resident eggs and tadpoles from our wetlands surrounding the Northwest Stream Center. After the presentation (with weather permitting and the frogs cooperating) we will venture outside and listen to the chorus of frogs and identify their sounds.
Age: 6 and up with adult supervision.
Tickets: $4 Members/ $6 Non-members. Advance purchase necessary.
For more information: call 425-316-8592.
April 17
Seeing Through the Eyes of
the Forager
Wilderness Awareness School Family Program
Logistics: Bellevue, Kelsey Creek Park: 9 AM - 1 PM; Ages 6-Adult;
$20 per Adult/$15 per Child.
Description: Join us in discovering the amazing plants in our area.
Learn about the best edible, medicinal, and poisonous plants to know. Sample,
gather, and help create a wild edibles feast. Experience the plant that
cures the pain of stings and bites. Together we'll "root" ourselves
more deeply with our home in the Pacific Northwest.
To Register: Pre-registration is required by 4/12/04 by calling 425-788-1301.
For more information: Visit http://www.WildernessAwareness.org/PugetSound_FamilyPrograms.html.
April 17 & 18
Coyote Mentoring
Sponsored by the Wilderness Awareness School
Logistics: Duvall, 9 am - 5 pm both days; $17, $50
Deposit.
Description: Coyote Mentoring is designed for educators, parents, and
anyone interested in significantly expanding their teaching repertoire and
mentoring skills. Taught by the staff of our highly respected youth and adult
programs, this workshop provides the tools you need to craft powerful learning
experiences for your students, family, or employees, based on a curriculum that
facilitates deep connections to the natural world. We invite you to join us as
we re-discover the sense of wonder of nature's mysteries that all children share.
To Register: Call 425-788-1301. For more information about
learning outcomes and to register on-line, visit http://www.wildernessawareness.org/nationalCalen.html.
April 17 & 18
Teen Adventure Overnight
Sponsored by the Wilderness
Awareness School
Logistics: Duvall, 9am Saturday to 11am Sunday; Ages
12-15; $85
Description: How do you really make fire without matches? How can
birds help you tell when a large predator is around? How would you find your
way in the woods without a map or compass? Through hands-on experience, our fun
new overnights teach the answers to these questions and more.
Pre-registration required: To register call 425-788-1301 or go on-line to http://www.wildernessawareness.org/YouthProgTeenOvernights.html.
Logistics: 11 am-12:30 pm, NW Stream Center in McCollum Park, 600 - 128th St. SE, Everett.
Description: Are you wild about aquatic insects and other underwater inhabitants? Then come with us on an “aquatic safari” where you will meet a cast of thousands. Stalk the carnivorous dragon fly larvae and peer at the beauty of the mayflies with their fan dancing gills. And if that weren¹t enough, explore the live exhibition of creatures from the Northwest Stream Center’s aquatic jungle. Get up close and personal to these creatures with a videoscope so you can observe them on TV. Finally, create your very own insect to take home.
Age: 6 and up with adult supervision.
Tickets: $4 Members/ $6 Non-members. Advance purchase necessary.
For more information: call 425-316-8592.
April 22nd
Citizen involvement coordinated by American Rivers
Logistics: 6:30pm, Carnation Elementary School gym, 4950 Tolt Avenue, Carnation, WA.
Description: This April, King County is holding 5 public hearings to solicit comments on its Critical Areas Ordinances (CAO). These are part of its larger land-use plan, and control what type of development happens in environmentally-sensitive areas like wetlands and river corridors. A coalition of local and regional conservation groups are making sure that we get our voice heard at these hearings! The groups have selected the hearing on April 22nd to focus on water-related issues, and American Rivers is leading the citizen turnout.
Every 4 years, King County must review its land management plan for unincorporated areas. Public and private agencies, property owners, developers, community groups and King County staff all participate in the process. These plans directly affect your quality of life, as well as the day-to-day environment around you. We need your voice to support the good parts of the Ordinances, and ask for improvements to the rest... King County Council Members need to hear your voice!
If you can attend, please contact Ross Freeman at American Rivers to sign up and to receive further information, carpool details, etc. Please arrive at 6:00pm for a quick orientation with fellow activists. The hearing is from 6:30-8:30pm. Each person will have only 2-5 minutes to make their uninterrupted statement, but you don't have to speak alone. If you cannot attend but are interested in submitting written comments, contact Ross Freeman for American River’s suggested draft comments.
Logistics: Around the Sound and across the state!
Description: Get outside and do something for the environment this Earth Day. For a list of events going on throughout Washington State, visit the Earth Day Network’s website at www.earthday.net and click on “find an event”.
Living With Beavers & Open Lodge Events
Description: Beavers are returning to Seattle’s watersheds and the backyards of creek-side residents. Who are they? How do they live? How can we live with them? Homewaters Project, Seattle Public Utilities, Seattle Parks and Recreation, and Thornton Creek Alliance will offer a free workshop and walk on how to live with our most crafty urban wildlife neighbors.
On April 27th from 6:30 - 9:00 pm community members are invited to the “Living With Beavers” workshop at Meadowbrook Community Center (10517 35th Ave NE) to learn beaver ecology and how to live alongside them. Reservations are required for the workshop – call (206) 684-4163 or email bob.spencer@seattle.gov.
On April 29th from 6:30-9:00 pm, residents can see beavers, get a tour of their home, and learn all about them at the “Open Lodge” event at Meadowbrook Pond.
For more information: Visit theHomewaters Project website, www.homewatersproject.org, or call 206-526-0187.
Logistics: 11 am-12:30 pm, NW Stream Center in McCollum Park, 600 - 128th St. SE, Everett.
Description: What is Entomology? Meet entomologist Dave Pehling from the Washington State University Extension Office who will present a general overview of insect life using slides. Dave will focus on the fascinating life cycle of mosquitoes and will have some of his own insect pets for observation. If weather permits, we will explore the grounds of the Northwest Stream Center and catch some mosquito wigglers.
Age: 10 years & up
Tickets: $4 Members/ $6 Non-members. Advance purchase necessary.
For more information: call 425-316-8592.
Logistics: Mt. View Elementary School, 10811 12th Ave. SW, Seattle, WA. Wednesday April 28, 2004, 2:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Description: This is a conference for educators to provide nutrition education and skill-building in gardening and cooking. Learn how to use experiential activities to teach nutrition, cooking, and gardening in the classroom and garden. The focus is for educators working with Elementary school children. Clock hours for educators will be offered by WSU: 6 clock hours for the conference itself and optional 3 additional hours for out-of-class work on curriculum. Includes dinner and breaks – a chef from Whole Foods has donated services and will provide cooking demonstration for dinner, featuring local, healthy, nutritious food. Nutritional food demonstrations.
Cost: $10 for dinner and materials fees for Highline School District Staff: (Highline School District has contributed matching dollars for this conference). Add $6 for paying at the door. For others (non Highline employees): $30 for conference, dinner, and
materials fees. Add $6 for paying at the door. Optional workshop material fee for worm bin workshop - $12.
To Register: Send an email to Jacqueline.Cramer@metrokc.gov or call (206) 205-3178. PLEASE REGISTER EARLY. We need registration totals by 4/21 for ordering food.
For more info: Contact Jacqueline.Cramer@metrokc.gov or call (206) 205-3178
April 29 – May 2
ORIGINAL TEACHINGS: Introduction to the Sacred Fire with Paul Raphael
Presented by the Wilderness Awareness School
Logistics: 5PM Thurs. - Noon Sun.; $300, Linne Doran,
Duvall. Food and camping included
Description: Paul Raphael, an Odawa of the Raven Dodem and
a Peacemaker of the Grand Traverse Band, has been an instructor and facilitator
at The Art of Mentoring workshop for the last four years. He has brought
a powerful awareness of issues of personal growth and grief. This workshop
provides you with effective tools to recognize and work through the powerful
emotions that will surface in your life as you rekindle your inner "sacred
fire". Doing this work within oneself is an essential development for
anyone choosing to mentor others in a deep awareness of nature.
To register on-line: Follow the link from the Inner Tracking page,
http://www.wildernessawareness.org/Natl_InnerTracking2.html