| Mar |
| 6 |
| 11:00 am |
BTB Contributor Jim Branson alerts us that he’ll be leading a “native plant” hike through Seahurst Park for the Washington Native Plant Society this Saturday.
This event will consist of a small group hike through the park, and observing the native plants within, including Trilliums, aka “skunk cabbage.” The weather forecast for Saturday is for sunny and warm.
Here are the details:
WHAT: Washington Native Plant Society’s hike through Seahurst Park
WHEN: Saturday, March 6, 2010; 11:00 a.m. Over by 1 p.m.
WHERE: Meet at the lower parking lot at Seahurst Park at 11:00 am.
RSVP: To sign up, contact Jim at pseudotsuga@gmail.com
INFO: From an email:
This field trip will introduce you to the native plants of Seahurst Park, including Trillium and skunk cabbage.
Last year, patches of snow covered the ground when a few intrepid people toured the park, and the Trilliums were late.
This year, the Trilliums are up early, and the forecast for Saturday is sunny and warm.
Also of interest: the oldest living tree in Burien, which is less than twenty feet tall.
This leisurely one mile loop walk may be muddy, so wear sturdy shoes. You’ll also want to dress in layers, as you’ll be plenty warm by the time you reach the top of the hill.
If rain threatens, be sure to bring an umbrella or raincoat.
Limit of 20 participants.
Photo by Michael Brunk.
Like to be helpful by whacking invasive ivy? This Sunday (Jan. 10th), from 10am to 1pm, YOU can help restore Burien’s Eagle Landing Park to health by joining in a “whacky” ivy removal work party.
According to BTB Contributor Jim Branson, volunteers meet on the second Sunday of every month from 10am to 1pm to remove invasive species and plant natives.
Please note that this volunteer effort is not sponsored by or affiliated with the parks department, so please bring your own tools if you have them.
You might need:
- Gloves
- Water
- Shears or loppers
- A pruning saw
- A mattock if you have one
- Layers of clothing appropriate for the weather (the forecast is for sunny and warm weather!)
As an extra bonus, a “Native Plant Steward” trained by the Washington Native Plant Society with over six years of experience battling ivy, will be on hand to answer any questions you might have. We will be working toward the goals and priorities recently established in the Vegetation Management Plan developed by EarthCorps.
Eagle Landing Park is located at the west end of SW 149th Street, where it turns into 25th Ave SW. Parking is limited, so some people may need to park on the street.
Also note that the nearest public restrooms are at Lake Burien School Park, at 149th and 18th.
Another reason to go? Bald Eagles actually live at Eagle Landing Park (whoda thunk it?) – here are two videos courtesy Mr. Branson:
| Aug ’09 |
| 22 |
| 2:00 pm |
Photo by Paul Conrath
BTB Contributor Jim Branson sends us word that on Saturday, Aug. 22nd, at 2pm, there will be a free guided tour of Burien’s Eagle Landing Park, sponsored by the Washington Native Plant Society.
With any luck, the fledgling eagles (as seen in these rare videos) will be testing their wings in the area, as they have been for the past two weeks.
You can also learn about over 80 species of native plants in the park, the local geology and history of the land, as well as how fish and eagles improve the health of the forest.
The tour group will meet at 2pm at the kiosk at the parking lot, and the tour might take about an hour, depending on how many people show up and how many questions they have.
Bring a bottle of water, for when you get thirsty after climbing the stairs, and perhaps a pair of binoculars for the eagles.
Also please keep in mind there are no restrooms at the park, but Lake Burien School Park, five blocks away, has a restroom.
The tour will proceed, rain or shine, but the forecast is for perfect weather.
According to the Eagle Landing Park website:
Eagle Landing Park is a small six-acre park, in a quiet, residential Burien neighborhood. It opened on June 15th, 2005, and it is located at the west end of SW 149th Street, where it meets 25th Ave SW. The walk from the parking lot to the beach is about a quarter of a mile, dropping 275 feet in elevation.
The goal of the park is to provide visitors with an intimate experience of nature close to an urban center. Instead of driving for an hour to feel at home in the woods, you can have this experience within walking distance of City Hall. The park feels much larger than it is (it’s roughly the same size as Lake Burien School Park) because the trees screen out the surrounding homes and provide the illusion of endless forest.
Adding to the impression of untamed wilderness are the screams of the eagles, who have been nesting in a tree in the middle of the park since 1989. The park is home to over fifty species of native plants, and volunteers are working to remove invasive plants such as ivy and reintroduce more species of native plants. Visitors have seen woodpeckers, hawks, raccoons, otters and foxes, and you may see these creatures if you keep your dog on a leash and walk quietly along the trail.
Eagle Landing Park is an escape from hectic urban living, but like the flowers pictured above, it is a fragile beauty dependent on the good will of visitors to remain unspoiled.
| Aug ’09 |
| 16 |
| 1:00 pm |
Highline/SeaTac Botanical Gardens will be hosting their FREE annual “Ice Cream Social” on Sunday, Aug. 16th, with special guest Ciscoe Morris and FREE ice cream to the first 300 guests.
Here are the details:
WHAT: Highline Botanical Gardens Annual “Ice Cream Social” with Ciscoe Morris and FREE ice cream to the first 300 guests
WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 16th, beginning at 1pm, with Ciscoe taking center stage around 2:30pm
WHERE: Highline/SeaTac Botanical Gardens, located at 13735 24th Ave South in SeaTac (see directions below)
COST: None, but get there fast if you want free ice cream, which apparently will be limited to the first 300 guests.
INFO: From the Highline/SeaTac Botanical Garden website:
Join us in the garden on Sunday, August 16th for our annual Ice Cream Social.
This year’s Celebrity Guest will again be Ciscoe Morris, who hosts “Gardening with Ciscoe” on KIRO 97.3 FM radio and KING 5/NWCN television, as well and is the author of the best-selling garden tome, “Ask Ciscoe” as well as a weekly column in the Seattle Times.
Ciscoe’s topic will be “…And This Is Also My Favorite Plant…”
Many of the plants discussed will be available at our accompanying plant sale.
The fun starts at 1:00 p.m., with Ciscoe taking center stage in the Celebration Rose Garden at around 2:30 p.m.
Be one of the first 40 guests to join the Garden Foundation and get a free pot from AW Pottery!
DIRECTIONS:
- The Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden is located just west of the intersection of S. 138th & 24th Ave. S. in SeaTac, WA, and just south of the North SeaTac Park Community Center. The community center’s street address is 13735 24th Ave S., SeaTac WA.
- From Interstate 5, travel west via SR-518 (SeaTac Airport/Burien freeway) about 3 miles to Des Moines Memorial Drive exit. At the stop sign, turn North onto Des Moines Mem. Dr. to S 136th. Right at S 136th, then right at 24th S, then right into Community Center complex at S 138th.
- From Seattle travel south on Hwy 99 to SR-509. Take the S 128th St exit. Turn left onto S 128th, then right at 24th S, then right into Community Center complex at S 138th.
- Garden located on south side of parking area.
No word yet on whether Ciscoe will be scooping ice cream, nor what the plant-related flavors may be, but we’re rooting for “Nasty Stinging Nettle.”
Sustainable Burien has installed four community gardens at the Interim Art Space, with the hopes of developing a place where residents can grow sustainable food.
“Right now we’re just trying to show that this can be done,” said SuBu member John Feeney as he put the finishing touches on some lattice work. “And this garden is open to all residents, especially those who want to grow their own food – just come to one of our meetings.”
Some of the plants growing in the garden now include pumpkin, tomato, corn, mint, lettuce, peppers, chard, onion and others, along with one planter devoted to local, native plants like wild rose and black cap raspberry.
Sustainable Burien’s next meeting is Sunday, July 12th at the new Burien library from 2pm – 4pm. For more information, please visit their website.
Members of Sustainable Burien pose next to their new community garden at B/ IAS. Photo by Rebecca Dare.
This Saturday and Sunday the first 100 mothers (each day) will receive a pansie with purchase.
Check out their new garden center while you’re there – all moms love flowers and Ace is the Place that’s got them!
Ace Hardware is located at 14903 4th Ave SW in Burien, and is open Sat. 8am-8pm and Sunday from 9am-6pm, plus weekdays 8am-8pm.
| May ’09 |
| 3 |
| 10:00 am |
BTB Contributor Jim Branson alerts us that Native Plant Appreciation Week starts Sunday, May 3rd, and Earnie Thompson of Normandy Park will be showing his innovative yard to the public from 10am to 3pm.
Earnie lives at at 625 SW 189th Street, on the north edge of Nature Trails Park, at the corner of 8th Ave SW and SW 189th Street (map below).
Earnie is a member of the Washington Native Plant Society, and he is also on the Parks Board of Normandy Park. Over the past three years, he has transformed his property from the standard suburban yard of lawn and shrubs to a lush and vibrant garden of native plants. Over 60 species of native plants now blend into the wild habitat of the Park behind his house.
He uses no chemicals, gave away his lawn mower, and doesn’t need to water any of his plants, which are adapted to our climate. Birds, butterflies, bees, and small mammals make themselves at home in his yard. Right now, the strawberries, elderberry, and twinberry are looking especially good. Later in the year, Collomia and hedge nettle will bloom prominently.
Here’s a photo slideshow of Earnie’s innovative yard:
The Washington Native Plant Society has many lectures, hikes, and tours to celebrate, culminating in their annual Spring Sale at Bellevue Botanic Gardens.
View Larger Map
| May ’09 |
| 2 |
| 10:00 am |
Spring has sprung, plants are blooming and that can mean only two things: spiky, irritating pollens are attaching themselves to suffering humans everywhere; and the Highline SeaTac Botanical Gardens will be holding their annual plant sale this Saturday, May 2nd, from 10am to 3pm.
Here are the details:
WHAT: Highline SeaTac Botanical Gardens Plant Sale
WHEN: Saturday, May 2nd from 10am to 3pm
WHERE: Highline SeaTac Botanical Gardens, located at 13735 24th Ave South in Burien (map below)
INFO: The Puget Sound Daylily Club, King County Iris Society, Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden Foundation, Heritage Roses Northwest, and the Seattle Rose Society will be hosting a plant sale at the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden, Saturday, May 2nd, 2009 from 10 am—3 pm.
Joining us for the first time this year will be the Puget Sound Fuchsia Club.
Last year shoppers enjoyed bargains on a wide variety of plants, from rare collectibles to old garden standards.
Cuttings and divisions will be available of plants from the original Elda Behm Paradise Garden, and experts from each group will be on hand to answer your garden related questions. No trigonometry questions, please.
Shop early for best selection, as quantities are limited.
Proceeds from this sale will be used to improve the existing display gardens and install new gardens at HSBG.
For directions to the garden, click here.
For the latest pollen count for the area, click here.
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Despite the threat of rain squalls and gusts of wind, all the merchants and tents at the weekly Burien Farmer’s Market are anchored down and open for business until 6pm.
As usual, on hand today are:
- Fresh produce from local farmers
- Fresh baked breads and pastries
- Handmade jewelry, candles, crafts, artwork
- Free back checkage from Optimal Chiropractic
- Organic lotions
- Potted roses lining the center aisle
- Fresh flower bouquets
- Shops and restaurants in Olde Burien are open for lunch and happy hour
- And of course…the B-Town Blog bloggin’ live (’til around 2pm)
So come on down, buy some fresh stuff and say hi to your neighbors.
And get some fresh air too – the wind has really cleared things out!
