Monday, November 4, 2013

Salvage Event - November 16


A limited number of volunteers are needed to salvage plants from this soon to be developed site. The native plants that are removed will be used at Sammamish parks and other restoration sites in city. Volunteers will salvage for the city for the first until the plants needed are gathered. At that time the volunteers will be able to salvage for themselves 1-2 hours. 


For additional questions contact Dawn Sanders at dsanders@sammamish.us or 425.295.0556
 
Saturday, November 9, 2013
9 a.m.-1 p.m.
                   
Pine Lake Park
228th & SE 24th St
Sammamish, WA 98075
Restoration Event!

The wetland area around the ball fields need additional plants. There will also be invasive plant (blackberry) removal.

Dress for the weather, it is best to wear layers - No Dress for the weather. No SANDALS! Wear long pants and long sleeved shirts and layers. Bring work gloves. We will have some tools on hand, if you would like to bring your own be sure they are clearly marked with your name. Suggested tools for this event include shovels and clippers.

This volunteer event is recommend for volunteers age 14 and above. Younger children are welcome with their parents. We will begin at 9 am and work until completed. This could be 2 - 4 hours, depending on the number of volunteers that show up.
 
Contact Dawn Sanders, Volunteer Coordinator, for more information DSanders@sammamish.us
  

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

 
Oct. 26, 2013


Volunteer at Evans Creek Preserve
 

Help to repair the ADA trail at Evans Creek Preserve.  Volunteers will be removing vegetation from the trail that makes it difficult for wheelchairs to easily access the area.  This is a family friendly volunteer event from 9am -12pm on Saturday Oct. 26, 2013.  Register at the following link.  http://www.sammamish.us/events/Default.aspx?ID=2936



Monday, September 23, 2013



The Eastside subchapter of the Washington Native Plant Society invites you to attend their program:
  
Photographing the Wildflowers of Mount Rainier National  
Park.


By Donovan Tracy, co-author of the Burke Museum’s Alpine
      Flowers of Mt. Rainier
 
on Tuesday, October 15, 7:30PM

at Bellevue Regional Library, 1111

110th Avenue NE, Bellevue, Meeting Room #1

 
Join wildflower photographer Donovan Tracy, in this exploration
of the alpine plants of Mount Rainier National Park. Donovan
will present an overview of the Park’s elevation zones (forest,
subalpine and alpine) through striking photographs of plants representative
of each zone and their respective habitats. He will also
share a few of his favorite wildflower hikes within the park and
show some of the endemic flowers he has found on these trails.
For photographers, this talk will include tips on good composition,
how to do a photo study of a plant in the field, and how the
purpose of the photograph will influence one’s approach. Is it
being taken for artistic purposes? For scientific documentation?
Both? A Q&A period will follow the presentation.
This is the second program offered by the newly-forming Eastside
sub-chapter of the Central Puget Sound Chapter of the
Washington Native Plant Society. It is free and open to all. If you
live on the Eastside or are interested in helping to establish this
sub-chapter please contact Bonnie Harpel at gidget142@gmail.
com or Franja Bryant at franjabryant@hotmail.com.
Refreshments, Public Invited, No Admission
 
 
 
 
 

Monday, June 3, 2013

Just a reminder that the native plant, gardening for wildlife and sustainable gardening classes will be held this Saturday in Sammamish. 
 
 
Welcome to the 2013 Savvy Gardener Classes!
Please join us for our Spring classes – March through June – throughout King County. All classes are free and guaranteed fun.
Check out new topics such as food forests, drip irrigation design, landscape planning for the advanced gardener and creating gardens without automatic irrigation.
Please note that most of these classes require pre-registration through Brown Paper Tickets. Just click on the link for each class and register online or call Brown Paper Tickets for friendly help. These classes are brought to you by the Saving Water Partnership, Cascade Water Alliance and the many local water utilities that comprise these organizations.
Classes held in Sammamish:

 
Favorite Northwest Natives for Sun and Shade
Greg Rabourn, Educator, radio personality
Add beautiful color, texture and wildlife benefits to your garden by incorporating stunning northwest natives. Greg Rabourn will show you different plants that will thrive in sunny hot spots or shady corners. Follow Greg's tips and you will be amazed at the birds and butterflies that visit your garden while also reducing your yard maintenance.

 
Sustainable Garden Design
Jessi Bloom, Owner and lead designer of N.W. Bloom EcoLogical Landscapes
Landscapes and gardens offer a wealth of benefits if designed and managed well. Jessica will teach you how to look at your garden as an ecosystem and explore the possibilities to make your space more sustainable. She will cover building healthy soils, good design and planning, as well as proper maintenance strategies to reduce work while preserving our natural resources. The class will go through the design process, how to choose plants and prioritize uses for your space. You’ll see examples of beautiful, sustainable landscapes for inspiration. After taking this class you will have the tools to begin a journey towards making your own garden more sustainable.

 
Wildlife-Friendly Gardening for Beauty and Sustainability
Emily Bishton, Landscape designer and environmental educator
Welcome songbirds, butterflies, and beneficial insects into your yard while conserving natural resources at the same time. Discover how urban wildlife can provide you with year-round natural pest and weed control and better pollination. Then, learn about design techniques and maintenance practices that can attract and nurture beneficial wildlife in your garden for years to come.
  • Saturday, June 8; 1pm-2:30pm
    Sammamish Plateau Water and Sewer District
    1510 228th Ave. SE, Sammamish
    Register Online | Phone: 1-800-838-3006

  •  
    Many more classes in Issaquah, Redmond and the surrounding area.  Please see the Savvy Gardener web page for more details:  

    Thursday, May 16, 2013

    Sammamish Landing Park Cleanup this Saturday



    Visit one of our newer parks and help to clean it up. Tools will be provided, but please wear closed shoes (no sandals) and a long sleeved shirt to protect your arms from thorns.

    To reach Sammamish Landing, park on 187th Ave NE. Find the trail to the tunnel that crosses under East Lake Sammamish Parkway. Head south (left) on the East Lake Sammamish Trail for about a 5 minute walk to the shelter.

     
    May 18, 9-noon 
    Please register at the link below: 

    http://www.sammamish.us/volunteer/SignUp.aspx?ID=2813



     









     




    Dawn Chorus Walk at Mercer Slough

    Cedar Waxwing May 2011 by Mick Thompson


    Morning birdsong is a special treat and spring is a wonderful time to hear a wide variety of songs from migrating and resident birds. Join Eastside Audubon this Saturday as they walk slowly and listen for the early singers and those that join the chorus later.  See their web page for more details:  http://eastsideaudubon.org/calendar/dawn-chorus-walk-at-lake-sammamish-state-park




    Saturday, April 20, 2013


     

     
    Washington's Largest Native Plant Sale
    This annual native plant sale is an extravaganza of native plants for your landscape or garden. 
    Thousands of plants native to Washington (esp. the Puget Sound Trough), including wildflowers, ferns, grasses & sedges, groundcovers, shrubs, trees.
    New this year: kids' activity table & pre-planted decorative pots for patio or deck Also:* plant propagation workshops* guided walks in the Mercerdale native plant gardens* large selection of books on native plants, insects, etc. 
    And a dozen other organizations, including Sustainable Redmond, Plant Amnesty, the Stillaguamish Tribe & National Wildlife Federation will have booths.
    Books on gardening and native plants, workshops, abundant free parking and more. 
    Sponsor
    CPS Chapter, WNPS
    Date & Time
    Saturday, May 11, 2013;  10:00 am - 4:00 pm
    Location
    Mercerdale Park, Mercer Island
    77th Ave SE & SE 32nd Street
    Map
    Contact
    Rita Moore, wnpscpsplantsale@gmail.com or 206 275-3883
    Notes
    Plant Sale Blog:  http://wnps.wordpress.com/
    .
     
     

     And don't forget Eastside Audubon native plant sale 4/27/13.  See posting of 4/2/13 for more details. 

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Tuesday, April 9, 2013


    Next Sammamish Community Wildlife Habitat Project meeting:  

     

    Bog: an inelegant name for a rare and sensitive wetland


    CITY EXPERT WILL EXPLAIN THE IMPORTANCE OF BOGS AT PRESENTATION


    We know the question has been troubling you, pestering the outer edges of you conscious mind and refusing to go away – “Just what, exactly, is a bog?” Well, relief will arrive at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 22, at Beaver Lake Lodge, 25101 S.E. 24th St. That’s when Kathy Curry, the city’s wetland biologist and senior environmental planner, will address the issue at a meeting of the Sammamish Community Wildlife Habitat Project.“We have a lot of bogs in Sammamish,” Curry said. “I’m always happy to share what I know with residents who’ve taken an interest in our community’s sensitive areas.”  Although Sammamish has a generous supply, bogs are, generally speaking, quite rare and quite valuable. They’re an especially sensitive wetland with fragile water chemistry and delicate vegetation.  For more information about this special event, feel free to contact Jan Bird at bird.samhabitat@gmail.com.  The Sammamish Community Wildlife Habitat Project encourages provision of habitat for wildlife throughout the community – not only in public areas, but in individual backyards, on school and church properties, and in parks and places of business, creating a place where residents, flora and fauna can all flourish.
    Kathy Curry, the city’s wetland biologist, will discuss bogs.
             
     

    Wednesday, April 3, 2013


    Sammamish's  new park has a new name - the park at SE 8th Street  is now Big Rock Park 

    Help us celebrate by volunteering this Saturday from 9am - noon. We will be removing invasive plants.  Thankfully there is very little blackberry at this park that we need to tackle, but there is ivy, holly and yellow archangel.  

    This event is open for all ages, but volunteers under the age of 14 will need to be accompanied by a parent. We will be out there rain or shine, so be sure to dress for the weather!

    Sign up by going to this link: https://www.sammamish.us/events/Default.aspx?ID=2821

    Dawn Sanders
    425.295.0556
    dsanders@sammamish.us 


    Monday, April 1, 2013

    2013 Catalog Cover Shot

    Education Programs and Field Trips

    Experience the Cedar River Watershed

    Do you know where Seattle’s high-quality tap water comes from? Join Seattle Public Utilities this year for a variety of guided and self-guided programs and discover for yourself! Visit the Cedar River Watershed Education Center, near North Bend, and enjoy free hands-on exhibits, rain drums, and beautiful Rattlesnake Lake.

    Sign up for a tap water tour, a family waterfall tour, or walking tour of the historic town sites of Cedar Falls or Taylor. Better yet, venture into the protected watershed for a full-day guided trip to see the connection between the Watershed’s protected rivers, lakes, forests, and wetlands and your tap water.

    Get outside, explore, and experience your Watershed.
    2013 Cedar River Watershed catalog

    Monday, March 18, 2013


    Medium National Wildlife Week logo


    Celebrate National Wildlife Week
    March 18-24, 2013


    What do black bears, flying squirrels and cicadas all have in common? They all need trees! This year National Wildlife Week is "Branching Out for Wildlife"—celebrating trees and their importance to wildlife and people.

    National Wildlife Week is National Wildlife Federation's longest-running education program designed around teaching and connecting kids to the awesome wonders of wildlife. Each year, we pick a theme and provide fun and informative educational materials, curriculum and activities for educators and caregivers to use with kids.

    For ways to celebrate, see the National Wildlife Federation web page: 

    http://www.nwf.org/national-wildlife-week.aspx

     


    Friday, March 15, 2013


     

    The City of Sammamish will be holding a spring plant salvage event on March 23. The salvage will be from 9am - 1pm, with the opportunity to salvage for yourself from 1-2pm. Additional volunteers will be needed from 2-4pm to plant the plants at Illahee Trail. I will be contacting registered volunteers mid-week to let them know of the salvage location.

    To register go to these links:

    Native Plant Salvage from 9am to 1pm


    Other volunteer opportunities:


    April 20 – Earth Day Celebration 10am – 1pm


    May 18 – Invasive removal and park clean up at Sammamish Landing

     

    Friday, March 8, 2013

    Welcome to the 2013 Savvy Gardener Classes!
    Please join us for our Spring classes – March through June – throughout King County. All classes are free and guaranteed fun.
    Check out new topics such as food forests, drip irrigation design, landscape planning for the advanced gardener and creating gardens without automatic irrigation.
    Please note that most of these classes require pre-registration through Brown Paper Tickets. Just click on the link for each class and register online or call Brown Paper Tickets for friendly help. These classes are brought to you by the Saving Water Partnership, Cascade Water Alliance and the many local water utilities that comprise these organizations.
    Classes held in Sammamish:

    Favorite Northwest Natives for Sun and Shade
    Greg Rabourn, Educator, radio personality
    Add beautiful color, texture and wildlife benefits to your garden by incorporating stunning northwest natives. Greg Rabourn will show you different plants that will thrive in sunny hot spots or shady corners. Follow Greg's tips and you will be amazed at the birds and butterflies that visit your garden while also reducing your yard maintenance.

    Sustainable Garden Design
    Jessi Bloom, Owner and lead designer of N.W. Bloom EcoLogical Landscapes
    Landscapes and gardens offer a wealth of benefits if designed and managed well. Jessica will teach you how to look at your garden as an ecosystem and explore the possibilities to make your space more sustainable. She will cover building healthy soils, good design and planning, as well as proper maintenance strategies to reduce work while preserving our natural resources. The class will go through the design process, how to choose plants and prioritize uses for your space. You’ll see examples of beautiful, sustainable landscapes for inspiration. After taking this class you will have the tools to begin a journey towards making your own garden more sustainable.

    Wildlife-Friendly Gardening for Beauty and Sustainability
    Emily Bishton, Landscape designer and environmental educator
    Welcome songbirds, butterflies, and beneficial insects into your yard while conserving natural resources at the same time. Discover how urban wildlife can provide you with year-round natural pest and weed control and better pollination. Then, learn about design techniques and maintenance practices that can attract and nurture beneficial wildlife in your garden for years to come.
  • Saturday, June 8; 1pm-2:30pm
    Sammamish Plateau Water and Sewer District
    1510 228th Ave. SE, Sammamish
    Register Online | Phone: 1-800-838-3006
  •  
    Many more classes in Issaquah, Redmond and the surrounding area.  Please see the Savvy Gardener web page for more details:  

    Tuesday, March 5, 2013


     
     
     

    Tired of that long drive on 520 during rush hour to attend WNPS meetings?  A new sub chapter of the Central Puget Sound Chapter is forming and meeting in Issaquah!

     
    Eastside Sub-Chapter Event

    Wednesday evening, March 27, from 6:00-8:00pm the newly forming Eastside Sub-Chapter of the CPS-WNPS is hosting a panel discussion and Q&A session on gardening with native plants. The panel will feature several knowledgeable and experienced native plant gardeners who will give short presentations and then answer your native plant questions. This event will be held in the King County Library System Service Center, 960 Newport Way NW in Issaquah. Everyone is welcome to this FREE event.  If you have any questions, or if you would like to volunteer to bring snacks, help with set-up or take-down, or greet and direct people at the door, please contact  Bonnie Harpel, Gidget142@gmail.com or (425) 449-1545.

    Sunday, February 10, 2013



    

    The City of Sammamish will be holding a spring plant salvage event on March 23. The salvage will be from 9am - 1pm, with the opportunity to salvage for yourself from 1-2pm. Additional volunteers will be needed from 2-4pm to plant the plants at Illahee Trail.


    To register go to these links:

    Native Plant Salvage from 9am to 1pm

    Planting at Illahee Trail from 2pm - 4pm




    Contact Dawn Sanders with any questions:  (425) 295-0556
     
    Want to attract more wildlife to your backyard?
    Please join us for a Backyard Habitat class this spring at the Woodland Park Zoo!
     
    In this series of five classes, you’ll learn from experts fromSeattle Audubon, PAWS Wildlife Center, Washington NativePlant Society, Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife,and Woodland Park Zoo about how to design your wildlifehabitat, attract birds and other wildlife to your backyard,select and care for native plants, manage your backyardsustainably, and get your yard certified as a BackyardHabitat.
    Spring 2013 Classes:
    ATTRACTING BIRDS TO YOUR BACKYARD
    Wednesday, March 20th from 7 to 9 p.m.
    KEEPING PETS AND WILDLIFE SAFE IN YOUR BACKYARD HABITAT
    Thursday, April 4th from 7 to 9 p.m.
    SPRING PLANTS AND PLANTING
    Wednesday, April 24th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
    SITE EVALUATION, DESIGN, AND MAINTENANCE
    Tuesday, May 7th from 7 to 9 p.m.
    WATER FEATURES FOR WILDLIFE
    Tuesday, May 21st from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
    Cost: $25 per person per class / $100 per person for the five-part series if you register before 3:00 p.m. on the first class day.
    For more information and to register, please see the zoo’s website:www.zoo.org/backyardhabitat
     
    Jenny Mears | WOODLAND PARK ZOOCommunity Engagement Coordinator
    601 North 59th Street, Seattle WA 98103
     

    Woodland Park Zoo saves animals and their habitats
    through conservation leadership and engaging
    experiences, inspiring people to learn, care and act.

     
    WPZ Backyard Habitat flyer 2013.pdfWPZ Backyard Habitat flyer 2013.pdf
    543K View Download

    Sunday, January 27, 2013

    Upcoming Native Plant Sales

    Flower Close Up
    Ribes sanguineum

    King Conservation District’s

    2013 Native Bareroot

    Plant Sale!

    The King Conservation District offers a variety of low-cost native trees and shrubs for conservation purposes such as wildlife habitat, windbreaks, hedgerows, reforestation and stream enhancement.

    Note: The plants are bareroot stock, which means they do not come in pots.

     
    How To Order: Order and pay for plants by credit/debit card online at www.kingcd.org. All orders must be prepaid to secure your order. All orders must be received by February 8, 2013.

    Pick-Up Dates: March 1st: 9am-4pm and March 2nd: 9am-2pm

    Pick-Up Location: King Conservation District

    1107 SW Grady Way

    Renton, WA 98057

    *Plant delivery not available

    Availability: Quantities are limited, all plants are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis.

    Volunteer for plants: Ask the staff about how you can volunteer in exchange for plants!
     
    Questions: Call Jacobus Saperstein, King Conservation District
    Phone: 425-282-1912; Email: jacobus.saperstein@kingcd.org

    If you miss this sale, here are two more:
     
        Eastside Audubon April 27th Kirkland Children’s School
        WNPS plant sale May 11 Mercerdale Park