Friday Union Bay Natural Area Work Party

On Friday, the UW Botanic Gardens, is inviting the neighborhood to a Union Bay Natural Area Work Party.   The information says: On Fridays this month from 2-4pm, we will be hosting work parties where you can participate in a variety of tasks. Join us for some good ol' fun in the dirt and learn about ecological restoration.

Come help us restore habitat in the Union Bay Natural Area (UBNA). 

Before being designated a natural area, UBNA served as a public landfill for over 40 years. Mounds of trash were dumped on top of what was a thriving marsh ecosystem on the shore of Lake Washington. But hope lies in the fate of UBNA as ecological restoration works to bring back wildlife habitat through the removal of invasive weeds and planting native plants. 

Please meet in the gravel parking lot in front of the Douglas Research Conservatory Building at the Center for Urban Horticulture. 

Everyone is welcome and no experience is needed. Gloves, tools, and snacks are provided for all volunteers! Dress ready for the weather, wear sturdy shoes, be prepared to get dirty, and don’t forget your water bottle. 

If you are volunteering to earn course credit, please be reminded that only those who have pre-registered prior to the event will be able to participate and receive credit.

The Union Bay Natural Area, also known as Yesler Swamp is located near the Center for Urban Horticulture and bordered by NE 41st Street and Surber Drive.

The Friends of Yesler Swamp has published a variety of posts regarding the history of Yesler Swamp,  including history of the area from settlement, sawmill, town of Yesler, historic photos, videos, source notes and more, on their website.

Friends of Yesler Swamp and the UW Botanic Gardens have been working together for over a decade to restore the native plants of Yesler Swamp, located near the Center for Urban Horticulture and bordered by NE 41st Street and Surber Drive, as well as construct a handicapped-accessible natural wetland trail, which also serves to protect and conserve swamp wildlife and minimize human impact on the wetlands.  The  boardwalk was completed on October 16th of last year with a celebration.

The Seattle City Council approved a Department of Neighborhoods Matching Fund award of $88,887 to restore Yesler Swamp and help with the cost of construction of the boardwalk.  And the King Conservation District provided a $31,940 grant for construction of a Viewing Platform and more. 

Friends of Yesler Swamp said on their website that the trail "offers views of the wetlands, the beaver lodge and the lagoon, while protecting wildlife by directing human foot traffic away from these sensitive areas.