SHADOW Lake Nature Preserve

MISSION:

SHADOW Lake Nature Preserve acquires and restores critical lands to permanently protect and steward dwindling wildlife habitat while engaging and educating all.

VISION:

Our vision is that the vital wildlife habitat, lands, and waters surrounding Shadow Lake are protected, connected, and cared for in perpetuity by a multi-generational community of people who experience and value the wonders of nature.

Educate

SHADOW offers community classes & events, taught by local environmentalists, Friday morning nature walks, Wilderness Adventure Field Trips, summer programs, and Wild Walks for non-school groups of all ages.

Preserve

Protection of natural lands not only retains habitat for Washington’s native plants and wildlife, but also offers human benefits through ecological services like carbon storage, groundwater recharge, flood and drought mitigation, and storm-water filtration. 

SHADOW Lake Nature Preserve is committed to preserving and protecting vulnerable ecosystems in a rapidly urbanizing corner of King County.

Restore

SHADOW Lake Nature Preserve’s Restoration & Stewardship Programs help maintain and restore vulnerable habitat and ecosystems at the Nature Preserve that support native flora and fauna while providing educational stewardship opportunities to our community.

Arrange a to visit SHADOW!

Frog Frolic Flashback: Hopping Back in Time

We're sorry to announce that there will be no Frog Frolic this year in 2024 — we'll miss you, Frog Frolic! If you're disappointed it's not happening this year, we are seeking event coordinators to help us grow and bring this event back in the future. While we'll certainly miss gathering for the festivities, we invite you to take a nostalgic leap into past Frog Frolics by browsing through our photo gallery. Scroll through and...

Canadian Peatland Restoration

Peat used to be big business in the Puget Sound lowlands. So big that in a matter of decades, 90% of the peat deposits that had been building up in the 10,000 or so years since the most recent ice age were depleted. Those that hadn’t been mined for the nursery trade or packing material for WWII ammunition were filled or drained for agriculture and/or urban development. (For example, the area where Southcenter Mall stands now once...

Are Prairies Just Bogs Wearing Different P(l)ants?

Since I started working at Shadow, we have been talking about re-planting the meadow at SHADOW to create a “pocket prairie”. As the establishment of an entire ecosystem is a bit daunting, Land Management Specialist Shelley and I decided to join the Native Plant Salvage Foundation’s (NPSF) prairie tour at Wolf Haven international. We hoped that this tour may help us to understand the requirements for this mini ecosystem to...

Macroinvertebrates

In my experience as an environmental educator, macroinvertebrate is a term mostly used for aquatic animals that are small enough that you may have to squint or use a magnifying glass to look closely, but that you don’t need a microscope to see. These critters, sometimes called “macros,” are incredibly important in aquatic systems. They help to “clean up” the water by breaking down detritus (like leaves), provide food for birds...

Spring Equinox

It’s a relief when we notice the shift to longer days in the spring. Suddenly it’s light when we eat breakfast, and STILL light when we get home from work. But it’s not just we humans who notice. About that same time, the birds start singing, and buds start popping out on trees and shrubs. When the osoberry blooms, we can all breathe a sigh of relief, for spring is finally on the way. Because the earth is tilted on its axis, and...

Getting to SHADOW

Tuesday – Saturday: 9AM–6PM

Closed on Sunday & Monday

Location: 21656 184th Ave SE, Renton, WA 98058

Tel: (425) 432-4914

Email: info@shadowhabitat.org