Natural Connections - Around Puget Sound

Classes and Kayaking at Padilla Bay. See this beautiful and biologically rich estuary from the top down. Contact Padilla Bay Reserve (360) 428-1558 to find out when these classes and trips are scheduled … or visit their Interpretive Center, where you’ll find hands-on exhibits about the estuary and an aquarium room with critters from the bay. Sign up for their newsletter and keep up to date on their programs throughout the year. www.padillabay.gov/

Birding and Natural History Classes. Pilchuck Audubon sponsors field trips each month, providing opportunities for birding and natural history education. Field trips are open to members and non-members alike. Trips range from short walks in Snohomish County, to all-day and overnight trips in other parts of Washington and British Columbia, Find out about these opportunities for all ages at www.pilchuckaudubon.org/. Other classes are offered through the Seattle Audubon Society. www.seattleaudubon.org/Education/Classes/Classes.asp Or visit other Audubon Chapters through the link provided at the bottom of this page. Also available through Audubon Washington is the Cascade Loop birding trail. Follow this link to order.

Discover the North Cascades.

Washington Native Plant Society

Puget Sound Mycological Society

Explore the Cedar River Watershed
Natural Connections home || East of the Cascades || Olympic, Kitsap Peninsula and SW WA
Nestled above the shore of Rattlesnake Lake in the Cascade foothills, the Cedar River Watershed Education Center is a gateway to this basin and a gathering place to connect people with the source of their waters. cityofseattle.net/util/cedarwatershed/

Explore the great outdoors from the inside The Pacific Science Center offers a tropical butterfly house, insect village, tide pool, animal exhibits, planetarium, and, of course, dinosaurs! Visit www.pacsci.org for all the details.

Books
The New Field Guide to Local Birds, Puget Sound Region, by Hal Opperman and Tom Aversa. This is the first photographic guide focusing only on the birds of the Puget Sound. Illustrated with full page, color photographs, the book presents information on over 200 species of birds seen in this area.

Interested in guided field trips?
Find an Audubon Chapter near you.
Find a Washington Native Plant Society near you.is an organization of people interested in mushrooms and mushrooming, which provides support and encouragement for research, education, cultivation, hunting, identifying, and cooking mushrooms. Field trips and educational programs.www.psms.org/ is a volunteer organization that provides botanical expertise and opportunities for all to share in the enjoyment of Washington's native flora. The Society serves as an effective and respected voice for the conservation of Washington's native plants and habitats. There are chapters throughout the Puget Sound region offering educational events and field trips. www.wnps.org/chapters.htmlIf you’re in search of opportunities for hands-on discovery of Washington’s great outdoors, the North Cascades Institute is a great place to start. Offering natural history seminars (including art, poetry and writing) and teachers workshops throughout the year, the Institute works to conserve and restore Northwest environments through education. www.ncascades.org.