Welcome Isabella!

Welcome Isabella!

Greetings everyone! My name is Isabella Boparai, and I am the newest intern at SHADOW Lake Nature Preserve. I am currently entering my senior year at Bellevue High School and plan to major in political science. Some of my interests include food, food, and more food....
Know Your ‘Why’

Know Your ‘Why’

Know your why in July and be inspired all year long! There are many catch phrases out there about finding out what drives or inspires you, one that I have most recently heard and relate to is “Know Your Why.” We start our lives asking lots of whys, much to the chagrin...

Plastic pollution has emerged as a global crisis, severely affecting our natural and built ecosystems and human health. Plastic-Free July is an annual initiative that encourages individuals and communities to refuse single-use plastics and adopt sustainable...
Farewell Nathan!

Farewell Nathan!

It is with mixed emotions that we announce the departure of Education and Restoration Lead, Nathan LeClear, from SHADOW Lake Nature Preserve. Since joining the preserve in January of 2022, Nathan has excelled in his role. He has a kind soul and his love of the natural...
Native of the Month: Salamanders

Native of the Month: Salamanders

Axolotl Questions About Our Native Salamanders Frogs are our most vocal amphibians, and we have a number of species here in Washington. But our diversity of wetlands and streams, from lowlands to mountains also provide a multitude of habitats for our other big...
Spotlight: Board Member: Walt Szklarski

Spotlight: Board Member: Walt Szklarski

2023 is Walt’s 20th year as a board member! Walt helped establish the partnership between SHADOW Lake Nature Preserve and the Tahoma School District, where he was first a science teacher and then the Instructional Technology Coordinator. With a BS in Biology and MEd...
No Mow May

No Mow May

In the PNW, April showers bring May showers. Our rainy springs play a vital role for our ecology, and as the days get longer and warmer, the grass starts to not so much crawl as leap up from the ground. (Queue the sound of thousands of roaring lawn...
The science of spring

The science of spring

One of the most iconic phenomena in nature is the arrival of Spring. In temperate climates many species of plants lose their leaves in the fall (the season is named for just that reason), and then in spring leaves and flowers re-emerge. But why, and HOW? In answering...
Native of the month: Frogs

Native of the month: Frogs

The smallest frog in western Washington is also our most prolific, and has the widest distribution throughout the state. The Pacific Tree Frog, Psudacris regilla, is the only native frog species found in every county! This little frog is so abundant that it was made...