Seattle Naturalists Committee
This location is devoted to all things of nature in the pacific northwest. The goal is to get out and experience for yourself.
Seattle Naturalists Study Group webpage
We offer year-round field trips, as well as an annual lecture series, the Introduction to the Natural World course, and workshops covering a variety of topics, from mosses to seabirds.
The Course: "Introduction to the Natural World" is offered in the spring of each year. The course consists of 4 lectures and 4 field trips.
The Trips: We offer trips that range from morning trips in local parks to multi-day outings in eastern Washington, Oregon, and Canada.
The Seminars: During the winter and early spring months, we sponsor presentations on the Natural World on a variety of topics, and given by local experts.
The Study Group: Graduates of the course, and those with some knowledge and experience, are invited to join The Study Group. A small one-time registration fee of $50 ($75 for non Mountaineer Members) gives you life-time membership.Study Group activities include:
- Presentations by local plant and wildlife experts,
- Opportunities for advanced courses,
- An invitation to sit in on the yearly Intro course
The Garden: The Naturalists also sponsor the Magnuson Park Native Plant Garden, just south of the Mountaineer Program Center, by the outdoor climbing wall. This is a joint effort with the Washington Native Plant Society. Download a plant list from the Washington Native Plant Society
https://www.wnps.org/plant-lists/list?Magnuson_Park_Mountaineers_Demonstration_Garden
The History of the Seattle Naturalists: The Mountaineers have long had activities focusing on the natural world. Recollections of those who started the moss and lichen course provide a glimpse into how the interests of dynamic individuals can drive the development of a whole new course...and influence a generation of new naturalists. The continued development of the Moss and Lichen workshop by Stewart Hougen and Gary Brill was described by Gary in his January 2023 Blog