During this past month we’ve celebrated the 50th anniversary of Earth Day and Native Plant Appreciation Month, all while adapting to the changing circumstances caused by the coronavirus. One of the most popular activities we’ve had the pleasure of sharing last month were our live plant walks! Each had a different GSP staff member take on a different habitat type and a different park. Each walk showcases tons of native plants and provides lots of information on them, all while showcasing the healthy habitats of our urban forest.
These walks are a great way to learn about native plants, see parks you might not have seen before, get inspired for at-home restoration projects, and get your dose of the outdoors while indoors!
We’ve also got more walks coming! Stay tuned at our Instagram to find out when the next live walk will be, or catch the recording here after!
Dry-Mesic Confier and Conifer-Deciduous Mixed Forest
Our most common forest type found throughout Seattle’s parks. These forests are characterized by large-standing conifers like the Douglas-fir and our state tree, the Western Hemlock.
Conifer Broadleaf Evergreen Mixed Forest
These forests are characterized by a canopy dominated by the Pacific madrone; the madrone is a unique broadleaf evergreen tree, which stays green all year like our conifers, but has large oval-shaped leaves rather than needles or scales. These forests are often dry and frequently found on sunny slopes adjacent to saltwater shorelines.
Riparian Forest and Scrub-Shrub Wetland
This walk takes place at the Ravenna and Cowen Park complex, and showcases a variety of native plants found in wetland-forest complexes. The plants in this walk are critical to establishing our riparian buffers which provide food and shelter to wildlife, filter polluted stormwater, prevent damaging erosion, and improve water quality benefiting all surrounding life!