Free Bird Walk June 14th



Eastside Audubon is sponsoring a family oriented bird walk tomorrow at Lake Sammamish State Park from 10:00 AM to noon.  Check out their web page below for more details and enjoy the beautiful picture of the red-breasted sapsucker Mick Thompson took at the park!

http://eastsideaudubon.org/calendar/2014-06/family-birding-walk-lake-sammamish-state-park-1

Take Your Volunteer Work on Behalf of Sammamish Community Habitats to a Higher

Level! 

Become a Native Plant Steward or Trail Steward

 

 

Sign up now for the 2014 Native Plant Stewardship Program. 

This ten week course includes expert training in:

·   Native Plant Identification

·   Puget Sound Ecosystems and Plant Communities

·   Forest Ecology

·   Riparian, Shoreline and Wetlands Ecology

·   Project Leadership and Management

·   Ecological Restoration and Monitoring

·     And more!
      
Trainings will be held at Mercer Slough Environmental Learning Center, courtesy of the City of Bellevue.

·  Fridays, 8:30-4:30pm April 18th– June 27th

· There will be three Saturday field trips

No experience is necessary.  The training is free with a commitment for100 volunteer hours volunteer service working on a habitat restoration project, and to WNPS public outreach projects in King County. So many Native Plant Stewards have found this program rewarding and continue to volunteer their services and efforts to restore Washington's native plant habitat and educate others about the value of native plants.

Applications are posted at Applications are posted at www.wnps.org/npsp/king/program.html  

Sammamish Trail Stewards

The City of Sammamish Trail Steward Program provides support for the construction and maintenance of the Sammamish trails system. Community members interested in serving as volunteer trail stewards receive advanced training in trail construction, safety and volunteer management. Upon completion of the training, stewards are asked to lead trail construction and maintenance work parties in the City of Sammamish. If you are interested in learning more about being a Sammamish Trail Steward contact dsanders@sammamish.us or 425.295.0556.

Upcoming Volunteer Events to Enhance Our Community Habitat

 

 

Saturday March 8, 10am – 2pm, Evans Creek Preserve

Is Evans Creek Preserve your favorite Sammamish Park? Have you wanted to go but haven’t got around to it yet? No matter what the reason, save the date and join us at this volunteer event! Volunteers will be removing scotch broom, ivy and blackberry from two different areas near the parking lot. Don’t worry – the blackberry is still quite small. If you haven’t used a weed wrench yet this is the perfect opportunity. Our weed wrenches make pulling out scotch broom fun. Take a break from the volunteer work to check out the park – who knows, you might even find one of the gnomes! Register to volunteer at https://www.sammamish.us/events/Default.aspx?ID=3165

 

Earth Day Volunteer Event  - Tuesday April 22 3:00-5:00pm

Lower Sammamish Commons
550 222nd PL SE, Sammamish, WA 98074

Celebrate Earth Day by volunteering in the Lower Sammamish Commons Native Plant Garden. This afterschool event is appropriate for all ages. Come dressed to work in the garden (no sandals, wear long pants and weather appropriate clothing). Bring work gloves if you have them. Tools and healthy afterschool snacks will be provided. Register at https://www.sammamish.us/events/Default.aspx?ID=3062. 

Lower Commons Volunteer Event – Saturday April 26 9-12pm

550 222nd PL SE, Sammamish, WA 98074

Which park can you find deer, bear, rabbits, eagles, herons and a community garden? Lower Sammamish Commons, of course! This park is also home to our native plant garden. Volunteers have spent many hours repetitive weeding, planting, mulching and tending to the many native plants we have at this site. Join us for the annual spring cleanup and mulching event. Register to volunteer at https://www.sammamish.us/events/Default.aspx?ID=3166. 

 

 

Looks like a great book on pollinators!

http://www.ecosystemgardening.com/pollinators-of-native-plants-by-heather-holm.html

Check out this great web page for educators for National Wildlife Week March 17-23, 2014!

 

 

 

Posters, activities and lessons:  http://www.nwf.org/National-Wildlife-Week/Educators.aspx#poster

Save the Date for National Wildlife Week!
March 17-23, 2014

One thing that all wildlife need, whatever they are and wherever they live, is WATER. In 2014, the theme of National Wildlife Week is:

Wildlife and Water
From the mountains to the rivers to the oceans 

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.  
As we update this website with lesson plans, materials, events and more, we'll send out periodic email updates. Sign up for updates >>

For questions about National Wildlife Week, email nationalwildlifeweek@nwf.org.

Want suggestions on ways to make your garden wildlife friendly?  The Cascade Water Allliance is sponsoring their free garden classes once again.

 

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.

. More

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. 

March 27, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. 
Tibbetts Creek Manor, 750 17th Avenue NW, Issaquah

April 5, 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. 
Sammamish Plateau Water & Sewer District, 1510 228th Avenue SE, Sammamish

Favorite Northwest Natives for Sun and Shade

Greg Rabourn, educator, radio personality, author or Marianne Binetti, radio host, author, columnist

Add beautiful color, texture and wildlife benefits to your garden by incorporating stunning northwest natives. ... More

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. 

 

March 8, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. 
The Gray Barn Garden Center, 20871 NE Redmond-Fall City Road, Redmond

Check out their flyer for more classes:  http://cascadewater.org/classes-plants-design.php