Monthly Newsletter: March 2026

Happy Spring!

We hope you had a restful and rejuvenating spring break and that finals went well. We are so excited to jump into spring quarter with all of you and continue building community through restoration, research, and environmental education.

New CoSEE Blog!

Exciting news, we’ve launched a CoSEE blog! We’ll be sharing stories, updates, and insights from our programs. Our newest post is now live, highlighting our Adaptive Library, a growing collection of children’s books designed to make environmental and STEAM learning more accessible for learners with diverse communication and support needs. Read this post (and many more) over on our new blog!

Amazon Wish List!

We’ve launched an Amazon Wish List featuring tools, supplies, and materials that directly support our restoration work, educational programs, and adaptive children’s library. If you’d like to contribute, your support helps sustain hands-on learning and stewardship at the park. Please ship to: 17927 113th Ave NE, Box 358522, Bothell WA 98011.

Recap & March Highlights

The Yard-By-Yard Project

Three yards in Finn Hill were prepped and planted in a 2-day “plantathon” on March 15th and 16th! Our first stop at Gary’s house had history; the planting location was once a driveway and then a lawn, which Gary had removed to reveal compacted, rocky, clay-rich soil. After the land was tilled and amended, we weeded, sheet mulched, relocated rocks and planted over 100 plants, extending the nearby habitat.You might spot the new planting if you enjoy walking on 72nd Ave.

On day two, we tackled two yards. Our first stop was a yard the homeowner had mostly converted to an edible garden. Amanda had already tarped the remaining lawn, so we started by breaking up the dead lawn-tangle through the hard work of many helping hands. The lawn was replaced with native grasses and wildflowers that blend into the edibles and line the garden path. Our final property of the day was Nicole’s – a slope under Douglas fir trees. The soil was soft and deep, and we planted quickly with the help of her kids (and chickens). The planting will both stabilize the slope and provide privacy as it matures.

Before the end of spring, we have three more yards to do. If you like getting dirty, planting plants, and transforming a space in an afternoon, stay posted for the next volunteer sign-ups! For more information about Yard-By-Yard, contact aputzke@uw.edu.

Volunteer Work Party at Saint Edward State Park

Volunteers supported the removal of invasive English holly this month—marking our first event focused on this species. Participants were trained on how to safely use herbicide lances to help prevent regrowth, while also engaging in hands-on manual removal. It was a great opportunity to build new skills and make a meaningful impact on the park’s ecosystem.

Alternative Spring Break Recap

A huge thank you to everyone who participated in our Alternative Spring Break series—it was an incredible week of service, learning, and connection. We are so grateful for the energy and care you brought to each event! We’re already looking ahead and beginning to plan for next year.

Bird Feeder Build Day

A big thank you to our UW Bothell capstone interns, Cat and Charlotte, for leading this event! Participants learned about local native bird species and got to go home with their own handmade bird feeders.

Internship Opportunities

CoSEE Summer Term Interns

Summer is arriving faster than you think! We want to allow interns to work with us over the summer break for more fantastic research and community opportunities!

Special Internship Opportunities

As CoSEE grows so does our internship offerings. We currently have two special opportunities that are open for applications:

• City of Kenmore Tree Inventory Internship: Work alongside the City of Kenmore to conduct a large-scale tree inventory using GIS tools and fieldwork methods. This is a great opportunity for students interested in urban forestry, environmental science, and mapping.
• Camp S’more Internship (Inclusive Environmental Education Pathway): Support a large-scale overnight family camp experience at Lake Sammamish State Park, helping design and lead environmental education activities.

Upcoming Events in April (& Beyond!)

Bird Watching 101

📅 Date & Time: April 10, 2026 | 10:00AM
📍 Location: UW Bothell Campus, Innovation Hall 134

Learn about how to identify birds, what common birds are near you, what helpful resources can start your birding journey, and more at this Birding Basics class! All skillsets are welcome. Binoculars will be provided, although bringing your own if you have some is encouraged. We’ll start with a presentation, then hit the campus trails and do some bird watching! Learn more and register for bird watching today!

Volunteer Work Party at Saint Edward State Park

📅 Date & Time: April 25, 2026 | 3:00 PM
📍 Location: EERC Classroom, 14445 Juanita Dr NE Kenmore, WA 98028

Join us for a day of stewardship at Saint Edward State Park, where we’ll continue removing invasive English holly using herbicide lances and manual techniques following the City of Kenmore’s Earth Day Celebration. All ages 8+ are welcome—no experience needed; please dress for the weather as we work rain or shine! Learn more and register for the volunteer work party today!

*Volunteers can use free parking passes for the duration of their service.

Inclusive STEAM Storytime Professional Development

📅 Date & Time: May 30, 2026 | 10:00AM
📍 Location: EERC Classroom, 14445 Juanita Dr NE Kenmore, WA 98028

Join us for a hands-on professional development focused on using interactive, STEAM-centered read-alouds to support inclusive learning. Inclusive STEAM Storytime is a hands-on professional development designed for educators supporting diverse learners across early learning, K–12, and community settings. Participants will leave with practical strategies, adaptation tools, and ready-to-use ideas for inclusive story times and classroom learning experiences. Register for this professional development today!

Other Community Events

Camps 2026

This summer, the Pacific Science Center will be holding three weeks of camps in the EERC classroom! We are so grateful and excited for this partnership.

Upcoming Events & Programs at the Lodge

Learn about upcoming events and programs happening at the Lodge at Saint Edward State Park. These events and offerings are always changing, so stay up to date on their website.

Reserve the EERC Classroom

The Environmental Education and Research Center (EERC) Classroom at Saint Edward State Park (Equipped with flexible seating, whiteboards, projector, Wi-Fi, and a kitchenette) is now available for reservation through the UW Bothell 25Live system.

Hours & Location:

• Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm
• 14445 Juanita Drive NE, Kenmore, WA 98028

Reservation Options:

• Half-Day: 9:00am – 1:00pm or 1:00pm – 5:00pm
• Full-Day: 9:00am – 5:00pm
• Outside reservation hours: $100/hour additional fee

Pricing Structure:

• Community Partners: $250 (Half-Day) | $500 (Full-Day)
• Corporate Partners: $500 (Half-Day) | $1,000 (Full-Day)
• UW Bothell Partners: $350 (Half-Day) | $700 (Full-Day)

Reservations must be submitted through 25Live. A CoSEE staff member will be present during your event. Learn more and reserve!