The Magnuson Wetlands Complex is a great outdoor learning lab!
Become an expert on Magnuson Park’s plants, animals, forest and wetland ecosystems through weekly nature science exploration, hiking expeditions, indoor and outdoor experiments, species monitoring, native plant restoration projects, and other hands-on activities! Each week will be a new adventure!
There are close to 50 seasonal ponds in the Wetlands Complex, as well as 4 very large year-round ponds!
We’ll use binoculars, microscopes, and other scientific tools to monitor aquatic invertebrates, tadpoles, and other wildlife in the Magnuson Wetland Complex ponds and discover which are thriving in each area. The data we compile in our field journals will be shared with wetlands staff and local researchers so they can better understand the seasonal changes in this complex ecosystem.
One week per month, we’ll also add native plants to Magnuson’s natural areas, then compare and monitor their health and growth. Parents and siblings will be invited to participate in the plant restoration weeks too!
We provide all tools, gloves, and plants for children and adults on stewardship weeks!
Children in our spring Nature Knowledge classes built a “Willow House” big enough for all to fit!
Plus, we will study ways that Coast Salish people and pioneers of the PNW have used plants in their everyday lives, do animal tracking and trail-marking, learn true nature stories, and more. Healthy snacking on crops in our organic p-patch plot is included too!
We’ll start and end most days in our cozy Hawthorne Hills Room classroom, but the majority of our time will be spent outdoors in Magnuson Park natural areas unless there is heavy rain or wind. Children should bring a water bottle and afternoon snack, and have a raincoat and boots to be comfy during our outdoor activities.
Journals help make memories that last forever!
Educators: Magnuson Nature Educators Emily Bishton and/or Nicole Caudana, and Magnuson Nature Docents
Location: Magnuson Brig/Hawthorne Hills Room, Magnuson Wetlands Complex, Children’s Garden, P-Patch, and other park areas (download a map)
Nature Knowledge Class Series #1:
- 10 Friday afternoons from January 27th – April 7th, from 12:00 noon – 3:00 pm (No class on February 24th)
- Fee $300.00
- SPARC registration code is #156412
Nature Knowledge Class Series #2:
- 8 Friday afternoons from April 21st – June 9th, from 12:00 noon – 3:00 pm
- The fee and SPARC code for this class series will be posted in early 2017)
