Against the backdrop of Seattle’s booming development, our city neighbors have demonstrated exceptional commitment to protecting nature and the wildlife that surrounds us. To strengthen the connection between our communities and the wildlife in our midst, National Wildlife Federation is hosting its second annual Wildlife in the City Week, April 15-21. The week’s events will culminate with the Wildlife in the City Festival on Saturday, April 21 from 1-5 p.m. at Discovery Park.
Wildlife in the City Week is an open invitation to “Discover Your Wild Neighbors,” to wander, explore and learn how we can have a positive impact on the wildlife living among us. National Wildlife Federation is partnering with Seattle Parks and Recreation and more than twenty other local organizations to host a series of fun and informative, family-friendly events and experiences. Events will include encounters with the Federation’s mascot Ranger Rick to demonstrate how we can all champion urban wildlife at home and in our community.
Be it on your balcony or in your backyard, at school, in your parks or open spaces as volunteers, we all have an opportunity to create and maintain interconnected healthy habitats, which provide vital requirements for wildlife to survive in our urban landscape. The Puget Sound region has demonstrated exceptional commitment to the environment by creating wildlife-friendly gardens and landscapes with more than 900 Certified Wildlife Habitats. These certified habitats are at heart of National Wildlife Federation’s Garden for Wildlife Program that connects urban corridors of habitat necessary for wildlife to thrive.
Seattle is also on the top-ten list of cities nationwide that have the most Certified National Wildlife Habitats. To add momentum to our region’s enthusiasm for wildlife-friendly gardening, Wildlife in the City Week will be celebrated during Earth Week. Events range from wildlife habitat restoration, urban wildlife walks to hands-on activities with youth at community centers.
Sunday, April 15
Marine Mammals in the City!
12-4 p.m., Discovery Park Beach, Discovery Park Blvd, Seattle, WA 98199
Discovery Park is an amazing habitat for many different critters, from bees, slugs and mice to herons, otters and raccoons. Harbor seals also use the beaches here regularly, which means we need to remember to share these resources! Discover the other mammals that travel or reside in Puget Sound’s waters. Learn how to watch them safely and what to do if you are lucky enough to spot a seal on the shore! Knowledgeable volunteers will share fun facts about our local marine life through artifacts and photos. They will provide practical information about what to do when you encounter wildlife in these busy areas.
Sunday, April 15
“Garden for Wildlife” Discussion and How-To at Swansons Nursery
3-4 p.m., Swansons Nursery, 9701 15th Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98117
Join Courtney Sullivan, National Wildlife Federation’s senior regional education manager and discover the Garden for Wildlife program. Using native plants, this program encourages people to garden naturally and to certify their homes, businesses and communities as wildlife habitats. We will reference easy ideas found in the NWF’s how-to book, “Attracting Birds, Butterflies and Other Backyard Wildlife.”
Wednesday, April 18
Kayak Lake Union with Puget Soundkeepers Alliance
10 a.m. -2 p.m., Lake Union, Seattle, WA
Lake Union is a freshwater lake in Seattle that connects Lake Washington to Elliott Bay. The lake provides urban habitat for wildlife such as migratory birds, turtles, beavers, and more! Join Puget Soundkeepers for a kayaking patrol and trash cleanup while exploring one of the waterways that makes Seattle such a unique city. Open to the public, registration required.
Contact: hillary@pugetsoundkeeper.org
Wednesday, April 18
Fledgling and Friends Story Time with Seattle Audubon
10:30-11:15 a.m., Seattle Audubon Nature Shop, 8050 35th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115
Preschool bird activities at Seattle Audubon NE Seattle
During this story time we’ll read about what makes the Earth so special, explore outside and make an Earth Day craft, and learn about things that any person can do to keep Earth healthy and happy.
Wednesday, April 18
Washington Water Trust 5th annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival
5:30-9:30 p.m., SIFF Cinema Egyptian, 805 E Pine St, Seattle, WA 98122
An evening of conversation and eye-opening films. This exciting event places Washington Water Trust’s work—and yours—into the broader context of social and environmental justice, uniting our community around the shared goal of a more wild and vibrant world that supports wildlife.
www.washingtonwatertrust.org
Friday, April 20
Burien Arbor & Earth Day Events
2-4 p.m., Mathison Park, 533 S 146th St, Burien, WA 98168
The City of Burien will be celebrating both Arbor and Earth Day at Mathison Park. The event will include and Arbor Day Ceremony and tree planting at 2 pm. After the ceremony and in celebration of Earth Day, attendees can join a short park clean-up and native plant installation, as well as a walk to look for wildlife!
Saturday, April 21
Duwamish Alive! Earth Day Restoring Wildlife Habitat
10 a.m.-2 p.m., Pigeon Point Park, SW Genesee St & 20th Ave SW, 98106
Restore native habitat at various sites along the Green-Duwamish River and in its forests. This event is family-friendly and brings together volunteers to restore healthy wildlife habitat in our parks and open spaces. This habitat is essential for river otters, bald eagles, blue herons and beavers as well as our five salmon species, including our endangered Chinook salmon which our Orca depend upon. Opening ceremony is at Pigeon Point Park with NWF’s beloved Ranger Rick.
For information go to: www.DuwamishAlive.org
Saturday, April 21
Wildlife in the City Festival
1-5 p.m., Discovery Park Environmental Learning Center, 3801 Discovery Park Blvd, Seattle, WA 98199
Join National Wildlife Federation, Seattle Park and Recreation, and many other local groups to explore and learn how you and your family can have a positive impact on wildlife living among us by championing urban wildlife at home and in our community. FREE!
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FOR MORE INFORMATION: seattlewildlifeweek.org
FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES: Contact Jacqueline Koch, Jacqueline@boostcollective.com, 206-687-8546
Visit the National Wildlife Federation Media Center at NWF.org/News
The National Wildlife Federation is America’s largest conservation organization, uniting all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in a rapidly changing world. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.