SHADOW Spotlight: Shelley Pasco

SHADOW Spotlight: Shelley Pasco

Shelley (she/her) grew up on the forested Olympic Peninsula and found her passion for nature as a teenager in the woods, diving her time between a stream-fed wetland and a peat bog. Since 1998, she has operated a CSA at Whistling Train Farm in the Kent Valley. While...

Happy 2023!

Happy 2023!

We’ve returned from our holiday break and the Nature Preserve is once again open to visitors. Please note that we are continuing to use our reservation system, so sign up and pay us a visit! What a winter we have had so far: ice storms and wind brought down many...

Native of the Month: Crows

Native of the Month: Crows

In the Pacific Northwest, crows and ravens are ubiquitous, but how often do we stop to admire them? A lot of people have heard of crows bringing humans coins who feed them and can recognize faces but that is only the tip of the iceberg. Crows and ravens belong to the...

SHADOW Spotlight: Devon Clemens

SHADOW Spotlight: Devon Clemens

SHADOW is delighted to announce that Devon is back "in the bog"! Devon was the preserve's executive director before taking on a role as the Development Manager at Earth Corps. Devon has returned to serve on the Board of Directors for SHADOW and we could not be...

The Christmas Bird Count Digression

The Christmas Bird Count Digression

This is an exciting time of year for so many reasons. The final days leading up to the Solstice mark the shift from days shortening to lengthening, which also brings a sense of renewal and hope. Here at SHADOW, we will be ending 2022 with an annual tradition, which is...

SHADOW Spotlight: Sara Parker

SHADOW Spotlight: Sara Parker

SHADOW is fortunate to have a suite of volunteers helping us accomplish our mission! From Mountaineer and Scout Troop work parties to our Board of Directors, volunteers are the very heart of our organization. One such amazing volunteer is Sara...

Native of the Month: Black-tailed deer

Native of the Month: Black-tailed deer

Columbian Black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus ssp. Columbianus) and deer rubs One of SHADOW's most frequent habitat users, the Columbian Black-tailed deer's footprints and deer rubs can most often be found in the Uplands and Native Garden habitats. What is a deer...

Giving thanks can make you happier

Giving thanks can make you happier

Winter can cause mixed emotions for a lot of people. Although it can be a season of joy, complicated family relationships and the lack of sun can cause sadness and feelings of being overwhelmed. Research suggests though, that gratitude can help alleviate some of the...

Native of the Month: Bats

Native of the Month: Bats

Bats, order Chiroptera, are the second most diverse order of mammals on the planet, outnumbered only by rodents. Bats occur worldwide, except Antarctica, and they display an astonishing range in size. The largest species is the giant golden-crowned flying fox, native...

Biophilia, Biophobia, & Chiroptera, oh my!

Biophilia, Biophobia, & Chiroptera, oh my!

In 1984, renowned naturalist and Harvard professor, E. O. Wilson published Biophilia, a book in which he laid out his hypothesis that humans have a deep biological need to connect with the natural world. Wilson didn’t coin the term biophilia -- literally translated to...

Native of the Month: Spiders

Native of the Month: Spiders

Some may cringe or feel repulsed at the thought or sight of spiders, but honestly once you realize their environmental significance, you can’t help but appreciate these 8-legged beauties. SHADOW Lake Nature Preserve hosts a diverse and species rich spider community....

Water Quality Month

Water Quality Month

National Water Quality Month has officially begun, reminding us of the incredible importance of clean water. Take a moment and think about all the ways that we depend on available clean water. It goes well beyond just filling up a glass from the kitchen sink. The...

Native of the Month: Pacific shrew

Native of the Month: Pacific shrew

You’re walking along some bushes in a park, and suddenly see a tiny gray creature skittering into the fallen leaves. At first you may think it’s a rodent, but this frenetic ball of energy is actually a shrew.  While it appears small, shrews are one of the most...

Wetlands Can Catch Fire??

Wetlands Can Catch Fire??

It seems that summer is finally here in Western Washington. Time for road trips, camping in the woods, and swimming outside!It also means that it is time to take extra care around all situations of potential risk of starting wildland fires. Last year wildland...

We’re Hiring

We’re Hiring

SHADOW Lake Nature Preserve is looking to fill the role of Program and Development Director!   The Program and Development Director (updated from Executive Director) is the key management leader and is responsible for overseeing the administration,...

Happy Pride Month!

The natural world is filled with colorful, magnificent, and fabulously diverse wonders. Many species of mammals, fish, and birds engage in nonreproductive sexual behavior and display same-sex courtship, pair-bonding, and co-parenting. Species like bonobos, giraffes,...