Spring brings many exciting new happenings in the forest!

“I've loved spending time in the woods, and doing the many lessons about the creatures of this forest. But out of all the moments, I enjoyed sitting down, and drawing the forest around me, looking at the beautiful scenery and recreating it to the best of our abilities the most.” A Soundview student reflects on a visit last year. We are so excited to welcome them back this month! This means spring is coming and children’s voices will return to the trees.  We are looking forward to growing our k-12 student programming as we move into the new year.

We would also like to introduce you to our new environmental education intern, McKayla Umperovitch. She will be working with Soundview this year and wants to focus on engaging students in meditative reflective practices in the forest, while contemplating the way water connects us all together.  We look forward to supporting her education goals. Here’s more:
"Hello, my name is McKayla Umperovitch. I'm a senior at Cascadia College graduating this spring 2017, earning my Bachelor's of Applied Science in Sustainable Practices. I have a passion for community and looking for ways to come together to steward our planet well. I just started as an environmental education intern here with Friends of North Creek Forest and am very excited for the opportunity. Going to school next door I had heard about Friends of North Creek and had visited a few times before as a part of one of my Biology classes last year. I really love the service based learning and focus on ecology and restoration this organization focuses on and am happy to be joining the team."  Welcome to the team McKayla! We are proud to have you and excited to learn from you.

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We are also very excited to announce our pilot community program, Forest Scouts, which we hope to launch later this month.  Step out of the noisy, busy world of city life and into the serene beauty of a mature forest. Join our trained naturalists as you learn to walk respectfully with our wild neighbors of North Creek Forest. This is a great opportunity to earn your scout badges or just explore and discover.  Friends of North Creek Forest is pleased to announce our pilot community programs with a nod towards the Boy Scouts, who have a long history in this place.  
When: Starting weekends in March 2017
What: 2 hour guided observation hikes and forest games
Cost:  Suggested donation of $10/child
Who: Groups of 8-15, with at least 1 parent chaperone
Learn how to:

• Walk respectfully through the forest
  
• Follow the leave no trace principles
  
• Practice close sensory observations
  
• Six essentials needed for any hiking trip
  
• Read and design a map
  

For more information: contact Alice Tsoodle Alice@friendsnorthcreekforest.org