Events

Join us for a walk in the woods and native plant gardens around the Northwest Stream Center. Naturalists Tom Noland and Lori Powlas will teach you how to identify plants you are likely to encounter in this area perhaps even in your own back yard. Learn why native plant buffers are critical to salmon habitat, and how Native Americans made use of plants for building materials, food, and medicine.

Time: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Tickets: $5 Members / $7 Non-Members. Advance Purchase Required.

Celebrate Independence Day with your favorite sea creatures at the Seattle Aquarium from 7-11:45 pm. Fun on the 4th features music by one of Seattle’s favorite bands for kids and families – Recess Monkey, picnic food, and outside pier areas open to view the Ivar’s fireworks show over ElliottBay. After the show you can hang out with the fish until midnight and avoid some of the post-fireworks traffic. Fish & Fireworks on the 4th of July is sponsored by Foss Maritime. 206-386-4330

Celebrate Independence Day with a picnic in the park and a tide pool exploration on the beach from 11:00 am to 3:00pm at Seahurst Park (On beach at end of SW 140th St ), Burien. Both children and adults can learn about the most common beach creatures, how to treat them with care, and how you can keep shorelines healthy. Explore the beach with naturalist guides. For more information: 206.382.7007, dmiller@pugetsound.org.

After the fireworks come to the shoreline at low tide to discover the fascinating colors and strange shapes of the animals that live at the edge of Puget Sound. Beach naturalist guides will share stories of the animals and help you touch them gently.

Please RSVP for this event to Daoud Miller | 206.382.7007

Come Clean up spent fireworks debris from the WaMu Family Fourth Celebration on Lake Union. Everyone loves fireworks! However, any solid waste that enters our lake is potentially harmful to fish and wildlife. For more information: 206.382.7007, dmiller@pugetsound.org.

Time: 9am-12pm
Location: Northwest Outdoor Center
volunteer@pugetsoundkeeper.org

The Volunteer Park Conservatory is teaming up with the Seattle Art Museum and Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservation for their annual event celebrating native plants and the role they play in nature and in our lives.

The National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management developed this nationwide event to highlight the aesthetic, recreational, biological, medicinal and economic value of wildflowers.
Time: Noon - 4:00 pm - Paccar Pavillion

Join bat expert Barbara Ogaard of the Sarvey Wildlife Center for a voyage into the mysterious world of bats. See live bats up close and discover how they hunt for food. Learn fact from myth. Are these creatures really as scary as the media depicts them? Discover how important bats are to the environment and the ecological role they play. Barbara and her bats will engage and entertain all ages. This is a fun even for the entire family!

Time: 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Tickets: $5 Members / $7 Non-Members. Advance Purchase Required.

Come and see the most unique and amazing views of the Skagit River ever, surrounded by the Cascades crown of mountains. The first flowers will be coming up through the snow near the old fire lookout site atop Sauk Mountain. 6 miles RT with 2100 ft. elev. gain.

Bring lunch, water, sunscreen, a hat, and appropriate clothing for the weather. Good hiking boots and hiking poles essential for the rocky and steep parts of the trail at the top. Possible travel on snow field for parts of trail and in rainy conditions.

Seattle Art Museum and Cascade Land Conservancy co-host a panel discussion on the common interests of the arts and environmental communities in creating vibrant urban spaces and conserving critical landscapes. How do artists make our cities livable, and how should cities help artists thrive? Why should environmentalists care? What are the near-term priorities for both the arts and the environment? What are the potential benefits of join efforts, and what approaches should be explored? Join us as we consider these questions and next steps.

Presented each summer by Washington Trails Association, TrailsFest is a full day of hands-on outdoor adventure, providing you a fun and safe environment to explore. TrailsFest offers plenty of outdoor choices for all ages, from hiking to kayaking along the shore of Rattlesnake Lake near North Bend.Take a guided hike to a lookout, paddle a kayak, try climbing on a rock wall, or hang out with packgoats. Visit the dozens of exhibitors, including gear companies and outdoor groups. It's all at TrailsFest! For more information: ben.greuel@sierraclub.org or (206) 378-0114 ext. 319

Does corn ethanol deserve all of its bad rap or is it petroleum propaganda? What do biodiesel and ethanol share in common and what sets them apart? If you've ever had to answer questions about ethanol or defend biodiesel because of it, don't miss this meeting. 7:00-9:00 pm

Watch Divers Bring Creatures Up From the Depths. Divers will bring sea creatures up from the depths for people to gently touch in temporary cold-water aquaria. Come see up-close Puget Sound’s colorful and strange sea life. Learn how these creatures need a healthy Puget Sound and what you can do to help. Free and family-friendly from 12:00 pm to 03:00 pm.

Special parking and/or shuttle bus transportation is being arranged. Check back here for updated details.

On Vashon, contact Rayna Holtz, Vashon Audubon, (206) 463-3153.

Please join us in a fun and lively discussion. If we all take steps together, we can confront the challenge of global warming.

Find out what role you can play by attending our monthly Cool State Forums—attend one or all seven (other forum topics listed below).Statewide and regional solutions will be discussed, including “cap & trade,” tolling, solutions in schools and businesses, and a new green economy that provides good, green jobs.