Free fun day exploring the relationship between Duwamish culture and native habitat restoration in the Duwamish River ecosystem. Talks, demo, food and useful tips. Stay all day or drop-in.

Free activities. 10am-Restoring Native Habitats; 11:30am-Lunch provided; .12pm-Basket Making Demo; 1:15pm-Restoring the Duwamish River Ecosystem; 2pm-Habitat Restoration in your own Backyard; 2:45 Volunteer Programs & Training Info.

FREE EVENT DAY

Native Plants in the Duwamish River Ecosystem is a free public outreach event of the Duwamish Longhouse Urban Reforestation Project sponsored by a King Conservation District grant.

Get engaged. The day focuses on the environmental health of Seattles only River, the Duwamish River, and the role of habitat restoration in sustaining it. The Duwamish River Clean-up Coalition will be providing an overview. The Duwamish Tribe and Seattle Parks will be sharing the challenges and benefits of their reforestation projects on West Seattle steep slopes above the Duwamish River. Seattle Native Plant Nursery will be providing resource information you can use in your own backyard.

Seattle Parks will be providing information on its volunteer programs and training. A Duwamish member will discuss the cultural use of native plants in textile-making. Lunch will be provided.

The Duwamish Tribe, Seattle Parks and other community partners are all working to restore native habitats that preserve the Duwamish cultural landscape for all to explore.

The Duwamish Tribe is still here and provides a deeper understanding of the indigenous land we all share and the bounty that awaits us as traditional habitats are restored.

Regarding the Duwamish Urban Reforestation Project, invasive plants have been removed and native plants reintroduced. One of them, the Western Red Cedar has been used by our people to make baskets, weave hats and traditional clothing.

Duwamish tribal member, DeAnn Sackman Jacobson, will talk about how our ancestors harvested bark and other materials to make baskets and garments. She will demonstrate the process of preparing and weaving the bark.

AGENDA

10-10:30 Opening. Duwamish Reforestation Project update. Presenter: Nancy Sackman (Duwamish Tribe).

10:30-11:30 Restoring Native Habitats--Steep Slope Planting in West Seattle. Insights into the native habitat restoration of Seattles unique green spaces--cedars, cattails and more.

Presenters: Seattle Parks and Steve Richmond of Garden Cycle. Garden Cycles: http://gardencycles.com/ Explore More: http://www.seattle.gov/parks

11:30-12:00--Brunch (soup, fruit, cookies, coffee/tea)

12:00-1:15--Duwamish Basket & Mat Making Demonstration Presenter: Deanne Jacobs (Duwamish Tribe).

1:15 2:00--Restoring the Duwamish Riverimproving environmental and community health through habitat restoration. A place of historical, cultural and ecological significance for the Duwamish Tribe, it is now a river for all.

Presenter: James Rasmussen (Duwamish), Coordinator, Duwamish River Clean-up Coalition. http://duwamishcleanup.org/

2:00 2:45 Native Habitat Restoration in Your own Backyard. Useful resources.

Presenter: Seattle Native Plants Nursery, Mark Tomkiewicz. http://www.seattlenativeplants.com/seattle-native-plants-about/

2:45 3:00 Volunteer ProgramsSeattle Parks & Recreation. Explore More: http://www.seattle.gov/parks

Duwamish Reforestation Project

This year, the Duwamish Longhouse is reforesting the hillside behind the Longhouse and Seattle Parks Department is restoring 40 acres in the West Seattle Green Belt. Duwamish activities are funded in part by a grant from the King County Conservation District. http://www.kingcd.org/programs-grant.htm

Our project's objectives are: to restore the Longhouse's property's ecosystem by providing a place to sustain native food and medicine, habitat and wildlife in relation to the Duwamish culture, to engage the public and raise educational awareness of the Duwamish native culture and its relationship to the restored ecosystem, and to work with community partners to increase public awareness of urban reforestation stewardship.

WHAT: Native Plants in the Duwamish River Ecosystem. WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, 10am to 3pm. Free WHERE: Duwamish Longhouse & Cultural Center, 4705 W Marginal Way SW, Seattle, WA 98106, 206-431-1582.

Saturday, February 18, 2017 - 10:00am - 3:00pm

Follow this link:

Native Plants in the Duwamish River Ecosystem Feb. 18 - Westseattleherald.com