Mushroom Madness
If you have been for a walk on the grounds of the Nature Preserve or any Pacific Northwest forest in the last month, chances are you have spotted some mushrooms. Fall rain in this region brings about a generous crop and wide variety of mushrooms, which seem to pop up...
Animals in Fall: the Cross Spider
Fall brings a sparking of dew to the Nature Preserve, and it’s impossible to ignore the cross spiders and their webs that dot the grounds. Although the sight of a spider makes some people cringe, these animals provide an important service for humans. Garden dwelling...
Native Plant of the Month: Vine Maple – Acer circinatum
If you’ve ever hiked beneath a living arch that bends over the trail, odds are you have spotted one of the most beautiful Washington shrub species - the vine maple. This relative of the big leaved maple happily grows in the dense, shady understory of coniferous...
Frog Frolic Wrap Up
This year marked the 21st Annual Frog Frolic, SHADOW's largest community celebration, and the party was hopping! Community members from throughout the Puget Sound region came out to show their support for the Nature Preserve, play games, make crafts, and enjoy tours...
Fall Leaves
Have you ever wondered why the leaves change color? In order to understand this process, we have to think about what leaves do for the plant. Leaves are the site of photosynthesis - the chemical process that allows plants to create sugar (which is their energy or...
Fall Restoration Work Parties
At this year's Frog Frolic, we asked you to make the pledge to extend SHADOW's famous Boardwalk Trail. Thanks to your generous support, we are now closer to our goal than ever! Witness the progress first hand and put your stamp on our new trail - join us for a...
Animals in Summer: Ferruginous Hawk
Birds of prey are scientifically classified as indicator species, meaning that the health of the entire ecosystem can be affected by their loss. Healthy ecosystems have birds of prey, but ecosystems under pressure rapidly lose these majestic creatures. Hawks are...
Native Plant of the Month: Sword Fern
Polystichum munitum Sword ferns are one of the Pacific Northwest's most iconic species. They are native to the west coast and infamously difficult to grow outside of their natural range. Huge fronds radiate from a central base and each leaflet has a tiny hilt that...
Where there’s smoke…
Forest Fires and Climate Change Photo: Forest Fire/Shutterstock Over the month of August, a change in the natural environment invaded King County. From the first sunset made more vibrant from hanging smoke, to the loss of our mountain views and air quality, it was...
Dry Photo Tour
Wetlands, like Shadow Lake Bog, expand and contract annually in response to our rain patterns. With the drier weather, the bog has been contracting – giving up its water to the surrounding areas and keeping our neighborhood green and growing, despite the summer heat....
Native Plant of the Month: Ocean Spray
The rocky outcroppings and coastal bluffs of the Salish Sea cast up a misty white sheen in the churning surf. But you don’t have commute to the coast to catch a glimpse of the ocean surf crashing on the rocks. Look no further than the well-drained hill tops and rocky...
Animals in Summer: Coyotes
Wily coyote is a familiar figure in American folklore. He's a clever trickster - often mischievous and always seeking personal gain. Real-life coyotes also have a bad reputation – infamous for stealing chickens, house cats, and anything else they can get their teeth...
Animals in Summer: Pacific Chorus Frogs
Here at the Nature Preserve, summer means listening to the Pacific Chorus Frogs sing in the evening as we pack up for the day. Also known as the Pacific Tree Frog, these amphibians have a reputation for being some of the loudest singers in Washington's forests. In...
Native Plant of the Month: Columbines
With curling petals and dramatic coloration, the columbine flower is one of the most stunning native wildflowers in Washington state. These perennial beauties are identified by the petals that give them their scientific name. Columbines are members of...
The Cedar River Watershed
Washington State is home to two coastal mountain ranges. When alpine peaks bud up against the open ocean, the result is lots of precipitation! King County is among a limited number of lucky communities in the United States who draw drinking water from an unfiltered,...
Native Plant of the Month: May Flowers
Spring has most certainly sprung at SHADOW Lake Nature Preserve and our staff cannot get enough of the beautiful wildflowers that are popping up all over the grounds. In fact, there are so many exquisite, perennial native plants in bloom at the moment that we have...
Earth Day: A Native Plant Celebration
This Earth Day SHADOW Lake Nature Preserve hosted a native plant celebration! This was an opportunity for participants of all ages to learn about the plants that are native to the Western Washington Coast and how they help to support our complex local ecology. From...
Tahoma Field Trips Underway!
As part of Next Generation Science Standards of Washington State, all fourth graders learn about the processes that shape the surface of the earth. This month, fourth graders from the Tahoma School District are taking this requirement out of the classroom to see the...
Guided Nature Walks: Tour of the Upland Forest
Explore the beauty of our trails with a guide to lead you through the diverse ecology represented at SHADOW Lake Nature Preserve. Guided Nature Walks are outdoor explorations that take place rain or shine. Come with weather appropriate clothes and shoes for moderate...
What’s that word? — Fast vocabulary about glaciers!
Tectonic: Large-scale processes affecting the structure of the earth's crust. Cordilleran ice sheet: Large historic glacier that stretched across the West Coast of North America to the continental divide, at times expanding as far south as Aberdeen, WA. Puget Lobe:...
Animals in Spring: Bald Eagle
The start of spring marks breeding season for many of our local bird populations, and the American Bald Eagle is no exception. The Bald Eagle is not only an iconic symbol for our nation, but a symbol of hope for Washington State. It is estimated that 9,000 breeding...
