Explore the Union Bay Natural Area wetlands with the College of Forest Resources and the Center for Urban Horticulture faculty and friends. Learn about the diverse shoreline habitat and see how restoration ecology efforts help sustain our northwest world's native flora and fauna in this unique urban environment. Bring your naturalizing optics (hand lenses, binoculars, etc.) to see a variety of wetland plants, mammals and avians.

Note: The meeting location has changed from Northwest Horticultural Society Hall to the Douglas Classrom. Please meet for the tour at the classroom.

The morning starts with a lecture accompanied by coffee and pastries. Safari-goers will then be joined by Center for Urban Horticulture Director Tom Hinckley for an exclusive interpretive tour of the Union Bay wetlands. This urban wetland area is nationally renowned as Seattle's best urban bird watching site, where over 180 migratory and resident bird species have been observed. The wetland area also serves as an outdoor laboratory for UW faculty and students. Current projects include the E-5 Parking Lot prairie restoration, and other restorations of native species.

College of Forest Resources and CUH faculty and friends will be on hand to answer questions about the wetlands and about other CUH projects and programs. Safari-goers can check out the progress on the construction of the CUH's new Merrill Hall.

Location & Directions
The Center for Urban Horticulture is located at 3501 NE 41st Street, near the University Village shopping center. View a Mapquest map showing the location. To reach the Center, follow 45th Street past the University Village. Turn right on Mary Gates Memorial Drive. Continue south to the bend in the road. The entrance to the Center is on your right. Ample free parking is available at the Center. View detailed driving directions to the Center.

Safari Resources
•  Center for Urban Horticulture
•  Union Bay Natural Area
•  Birds Observed from 1972 to 1989 at Montlake Fill (old name for Union Bay Natural Area)
•  "A Place Apart," March 2002, Columns article
•  Prof. Thomas Hinckley, tour leader