Native Plant Walk: Shadow Lake Bog

This will be a level walk on a short trail and 600-ft boardwalk to a viewing platform overlooking the amphibian pond.

The private preserve is covered with western White Pine, Sitka Spruce, Western Hemlock, Labrador tea, bog cranberry, bog laurel, endangered sundew (a carnivorous plant that grows in sphagnum-dominated bogs and fens and gets its nutrition from insects) and other endemic species uniquely adapted to growing in the acidic conditions of a bog.  On either side of the boardwalk, a thick carpet of moss covers the ground and amongst the moss are mushrooms of various shapes and sizes.  In another restored area, a staircase rises to a viewing tower that overlooks the amphibian pond and a skywalk leads from the viewing tower to the Richter Interpretive Center.

Shadow Lake offers nesting and feeding habitat for many waterfowl year round. Pileated Woodpecker and Bald Eagle are commonly seen at the bog.  Salamanders and frogs are abundant in the buffers around the bog and deer, elk, bobcat and black bear are observed regularly in the preserve.

Ella Elman of Seattle Urban Nature project will lead this trip.  Please bring walking shoes, water, raingear, and a sack lunch.  Meet before 9:30 a.m. at the Wilburton P&R (I-405 and SE 8th St.).  No sign-up required.  For more information, please contact Ella Elman at eelman@u.washington.edu (preferred) or 425-747-4795.