Newsletter: August 2025

Thank you for your support!

As summer comes to a close, we want to thank everyone who came out to programming and supported CoSEE! This summer we supported 12 incredible interns, who contributed to a wide range of projects, research, and programs. This brings CoSEE to a total of 30 interns in the last 12 months.

Some of these interns have returned for additional roles with CoSEE, gone on to pursue advanced degrees, or presented at UW research symposiums. We are so grateful to support so many incredible students. As we look ahead to the school year, we’re excited to launch new programs and welcome a new cohort of interns. If you or someone you know is interested in joining us this year please send them the application link below.

We are also incredibly grateful for the donations and funding that make our internship program possible.

Research Highlight

Jeff Jensen

Dr. Jeff Jensen, UW Bothell faculty and CoSEE advisor, recently shared research at the Society for Northwest Vertebrate Biology showing that the once-thought-extinct Native Lake Washington kokanee salmon populations carry unique microchemical markers in their ear bones (otoliths).

Lake Washington is an urbanized watershed, and native kokanee have been eliminated from nearly all the small streams they formerly used for spawning. Jensen’s research suggests that restoration of native kokanee into carefully selected streams in their former range may reduce their continued risk of extinction.

Intern with CoSEE

Looking to build skills in environmental education, restoration, native plant education, inclusive design, or community engagement? Consider applying for our internship programs!

• Pathways for 2025–2026 School Year:
• Environmental Education Program Assistant
• Place-Based Education Kit Development
• Invasive Species & Community Restoration
• Social Media & Communication
• Native Plant Conservation & Engagement
• Adaptive & Interactive Library Design

Past Events from August

Seattle Parks & Recreation Summer Outings

Thank you to the Seattle Parks and Recreation Specialized Programs Team for welcoming us to both Magnuson Park and Seward Park throughout the summer!

Across multiple outings, we explored local ecosystems and connected with local ecosystems through hands-on learning. On our final visit, we dove into the world of macroinvertebrates, tiny creatures that help us understand water quality in Lake Washington. We look forward to more outing this fall.

Restoration Events at Saint Edward State Park

We are so grateful for the support at our volunteer event on August 11 at Saint Edward State Park. Together, we helped care for the beloved “Playground Among the Trees,” built nearly 25 years ago by the community.

To keep it safe and beautiful for future generations, we resealed it with linseed oil. These restoration work parties are put on CoSEE, State Parks, and the Friends Group. Please stay tuned for upcoming events.

Animals as Bioindicators with the Alyssa Burnett Center

We’re so thankful for our partnership with the ABC Center! For over two years, we’ve been leading quarterly field trips with their students, and we’re excited to continue this collaboration.

This summer, we hosted three field trips exploring how plants and animals serve as bioindicators to help us understand ecosystem health. We studied images from Dr. David Stokes’ wildlife cameras and examined macroinvertebrates from local rivers, lakes, and streams. Join us for our next event!

Upcoming Events in September (& Beyond!)

Invasive Plant Removal @ Saint Edward State Park

14445 Juanita Dr NE, Kenmore, WA 98028
September 8, 2025 | 10:00am – 1:00pm

Looking to give back to Saint Edward State Park? Sign up for a volunteer work party today!

Nature Walks

EERC, 14445 Juanita Dr NE, Kenmore, WA 98028
September 13, 2025 | 11:00am – 1:00pm

We are hosting our final Nature Walk of the season with a beautiful walk through the park. This is a family- and pet-friendly event. All were welcome (including leashed pets)!

Thank you to everyone who joined us on the trails this year and looking forward to our last walk of 2025.

Bird Watching 101 @ UW Bothell

Friday, September 26 | 6:00 – 8:00pm
Innovation Hall Room 111

Join us to get to know the birds around campus during a group bird watching event. This event will be led by Dr. Ursula Valdez. Binoculars will be available by supplies last.

Fall Open Houses

October 2, 2025 | 8:00am – 12:00pm
October 8, 2025 | 2:00 – 6:00pm

All faculty, staff, and students are invited to explore the learning, teaching, and research opportunities at the Environmental Education and Research Center at Saint Edward State Park.

Faculty & Staff:

• Explore CoSEE’s resources for supporting field and place-based learning.
• Join a guided trail walk to learn more about Saint Edward State Park.
• Share your research and teaching with the larger community.
• Connect your teaching and research to community partners.

Students:

• Learn about courses taught at CoSEE this year.
• Explore CoSEE-supported internships and research opportunities.
• Discover upcoming programming for students and the public.

Lecture: Brilliance of the Natural World

Dr. Veronica Cassone McGowan
October 16, 2025 | 7:00 – 8:00pm

How would our teaching, learning, research, and everyday practices change if we viewed the more-than-human world as brilliant, sentient, and agentic? This lecture will explore:

• The brilliance of plants, animals, and other entities
• The limitations of traditional STEM methodologies in recognizing multispecies sentience
• Case studies of more-than-human brilliance
• How multispecies brilliance can help us address our world’s most pressing challenges

Reserve the EERC Classroom

14445 Juanita Drive NE, Kenmore, WA 98028
Monday–Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm (Fall Quarter)

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.

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.

Backpacks & Environmental Education Learning Kits

Our Backpack & Activity Kit Program is designed to make environmental learning more accessible, hands-on, and fun, wherever you are! These portable kits are filled with engaging, place-based activities that support exploration in parks, schoolyards, backyards, or even indoors.

Each kit includes materials and guides tailored to different ages and learning styles, with topics like:

• Pollinator Monitoring
• Mason Bee House Building
• Cyanotype Nature Printing

Whether you’re a family, educator, or community group, these backpacks and activity kits are a great way to connect with local ecosystems!