Earth Share of Washington - News

Audubon Washington Set to Open Seward Park Nature Center

Signed, sealed, and delivered. That's the status of the lease agreement between Audubon and Seattle City Parks and Recreation, cementing a partnership three years in the making to build and endow a flagship nature center at Seward Park.

"It couldn't have happened without everyone pulling together every step of the way," said Joyce Kelly, chair of the Seward Park stewardship board. "Now the exciting work begins."

Nearly 70 people braved chilly sunshine Nov. 4 to officially launch the center. Speakers included Mayor Greg Nickels, stewardship board member Reco Bembry, Seattle City Council President Peter Steinbrueck, Paul Talbert from Friends of Seward Park, Parks Superintendent Ken Bounds, and Audubon Washington's Debbi Edelstein.

Community leaders from Southeast Seattle joined the celebration of the myriad gifts residents will receive from the park and center: time in nature, rejuvenation, relaxation, community, education, and opportunities to help care for the park.

Woodland Park Zoo Raptor Keeper Becky Barker brought Siren, a Barred Owl, to the kick-off, giving everyone an up-close-and-personal look at one of the feathered inhabitants of the 277-acre park.

The program also featured a large crow's nest, on loan from the Tacoma Nature Center, for which Seattle Park's Superintendent Ken Bounds brought a symbolic "nest egg" of $618,000 from the Pro Parks levy of 2000.

Stewardship board member Reco Bembry pledged to continue donating his time and effort toward getting the center up and running, "to give young people inspiration and information about careers" in conservation and the natural sciences. "This park is a place of serenity and wonder," he said.

Mayor Nickels lauded the work of southeast Seattle community leaders and Seattle Parks officials who put the partnership together. Councilman Peter Steinbrueck, who has been a strong supporter of expanded environmental education in the park, emphasized the value of getting kids and families out into nature to explore and play.

Friends of Seward Park's Paul Talbert described the many ways people can help care for the park, by removing invasive and harmful plants, planting native ones, and introducing others to the satisfaction of stewardship of natural areas.

Audubon Washington's Executive Director Debbi Edelstein highlighted the significance of knowing what we're seeing in nature, and how knowing the names of plants and animals makes a more personal connection. "It's so important for kids to explore and discover things on their own," she said. "That's what the Audubon Center will help young people and adults do."

Following the event, junior naturalists from the city's TREC program (Teens for Recreation and Environmental Conservation) took visitors on a tour of the park, and architect Toby Ressler, senior project manager for Seattle Parks, and Lynn Robbins, center lead architect from Mithun Architects.

The Seward Park project is part of a statewide network of nature centers Audubon Washington is developing in partnership with local communities and nonprofit, government, and tribal organizations. These centers, and other similar Audubon facilities across the country, provide opportunities for people of all ages to build strong personal relationships with nature, to learn more about the natural world, and to help care for natural areas. Audubon's goal is to connect people with nature, especially people of color and families who live in urban environments.

The historic Tudor-style building at the park entrance will serve as the center's headquarters, while the entire park will be the outdoor classroom. Public and private sources of funding are being sought by Audubon Washington to ensure that the $2 million renovation and restoration of the facility, which includes the former fish hatchery, will begin on schedule in 2004. 

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