The Seward Park Audubon Center helps cultivate wonder and nurture insatiable curiosity of the natural world through environmental science, outdoor exploration, and play. The Center’s mission is to inspire diverse audiences to conserve natural ecosystems and build healthy communities for people, birds and wildlife.
In 2017, Seward Park Audubon Center provided more than $56,400 worth in scholarships to community members, as well as approximately 1,400 hours of public access.
Public Benefits:
The Seward Park Audubon Center offers a wide variety of low cost or free classes and programs. Scholarships are also available for some programs. All public programs are posted to the events page of the Seward Park Audubon Center’s webpage: sewardpark.audubon.org. The events page features details for how to register and links to acquire tickets. The Center has several programs designed for preschools, K-8, and teens. All other programs are open to the public and do not require membership. Staff include naturalists that are bilingual in Spanish and English.
Morning Treats & Tweets
Enjoy coffee from Caffe Vita and fresh donuts in Seward Park Audubon Center’s historic Eagle’s Nest room. The Center provides binoculars and leads a bird tour in Seward Park that is geared toward beginning birders, or anyone who wants to view Seward Park through a different lens.
Bird Focus
Each month, the Center selects a different group of birds, including corvids, raptors, and waterfowl, and highlight their traits, skills and habits in a pre-walk presentation. The program then heads outdoors for encounters with these birds and more. Over the months, participants can build their bird knowledge and identification skills.
Owl Prowls
Seward Park is home to at least three species of owl and the Center invites guests to spend an evening learning and seeking these special birds. The evening includes a presentation about the owls of Seward Park, an owl pellet dissection, then a night hike in the forest to search for owls.
Guided Nature Walks
Throughout the year, the Seward Park Audubon Center offers themed guided nature walks. Themes include native plants, geology, mushrooms, and more. The walks are led by experienced teaching naturalist who providing a better understanding of the natural world.
Urban Naturalist Lecture Series
Seward Park Audubon Center invites writers, artists, and newsmakers to share their experiences with their audiences. In the comforts of Columbia City’s Royal Room, guest get up close and personal with special guests, and enjoy great food and spirits.
Toddler Programs
The Center offer two programs to introduce young residents to the wonder of nature. Each Wednesday and Saturday, Toddler, Tales & Trails invites toddlers and their care givers to a story time and craft activity, coupled with a mini nature hike. Tiny Trips for Tiny Tots works with caregivers to build age appropriate skills to engage toddlers in nature awareness in groups that meet for four weekly sessions.
Tenacious Roots
The Center’s teen program helps build leadership skills through advocating for positive climate change solutions and reforestation actions. Through this three-week program, teens earn service learning credits and connect with like-minded individuals.
Summer Camps
The Center’s Outdoor Adventure Summer Camps connect children with the natural world as they develop skills that support confidence and exploration of the outdoors. These day camps cover different nature themes and encourage teamwork and fun outdoor play.
Ann Lennartz Memorial Library
The public may browse and borrow titles from the Center’s nature library. The library is usually available to relax and read in, and has a children’s section where young visitors can engage with age-appropriate nature themed books and toys. Titles are available to browse online at the Center’s website.
Facility Rentals
The Center features two rooms available for rent for meetings, parties and other get-togethers. Find details including room size, rates and amenities here.
Nature Store
The Center’s Nature Store is a great way to start your visit to Seward Park. Staff are on-hand with information about the park and suggested walks, complete with park maps. The store also sells unique gifts and a great selection of quality bird feeders and bird food.
More information: For more information on school programs, please contact Kathryn Sechrist: ksechrist@audubon.org or 206-652-2444 x110.
For more information on other programs, please contact Marina Pita, Community Programs Manager at mpita@audubon.org, or 206-652-2444 x107.