Growing the Native Plant Learning Garden_足彩app哪个是正规的

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Wed, 22 Apr 2026 17:42:00 +0000
Community Partnerships, Education, Internships

CoSEE’s Native Plant Learning Garden grows through student leadership, community care, and hands-on restoration at Saint Edward State Park, supporting learning, connection, and ecological resilience.

足彩app哪个是正规的 post Growing the Native Plant Learning Garden appeared first on Collaborative for Socio-Ecological Engagement.

Building on a Living Legacy

足彩app哪个是正规的 Native Plant Learning Garden at Saint Edward State Park has been part of CoSEE’s work since the Environmental Education and Research Center (EERC) was first established. Originally designed as a space for environmental learning and community engagement, the garden has evolved over time through the contributions of students, staff, and community partners.

Now, it is entering its next phase — one focused on long-term maintenance, ecological health, and sustaining the space for years to come.

Leading this work are CoSEE interns Ruth and Tiana, with support from Program Manager Maddie Iem, fellow interns Aysha, Newton, and Ash, and community partners including the Friends of Saint Edward State Park (FOSEP) and Washington State Parks. Together, they are working to strengthen the garden’s foundation so it can continue to function as both a thriving ecosystem and a meaningful learning space.

足彩app哪个是正规的 Leadership in Action

Both students bring a strong interest in restoration and a desire to gain hands-on experience in the field. Through this project, they have taken on leadership roles — planning restoration work, problem-solving in real time, and collaborating closely with staff, interns, and community partners.

Ruth, who is completing her capstone through this project, has been involved with CoSEE in multiple roles over the past year. Her work in the garden reflects a growing interest in how restoration projects evolve over time, and how planning and adaptability are both essential to long-term success.

Tiana’s work focuses on the day-to-day care and improvement of the space — from trail maintenance to developing materials that help make the garden more accessible for visitors. She has especially valued the opportunity to engage in hands-on work while learning alongside others.

Together, Ruth and Tiana are helping shape what this next phase looks like, balancing planning with on-the-ground work and contributing to a project that will continue to grow with each new group of students who take part in its care.

During the intern planting day Ash (second left), Newton (right), Ruth (left) and Tiana (back) worked on taking a sword fern from the perimeter trail at Saint Edward State Park where dozens of thriving ferns were populated.

CoSEE intern, Ruth, talking about Sword ferns at CoSEE’s Second Plant Relocation Party at Saint Edwards State Park.

From the Ground Up: Restoration in Practice

While earlier phases of the garden focused on establishing plantings and designing the space, this phase centers on stewardship — ensuring the garden can sustain itself over time through trail management, restorative planting, and funding.

One of the most impactful projects has been the removal of old landscaping fabric beneath the garden trails. Over time, this material limited root growth and disrupted natural soil processes. By removing it, Ruth and Tiana are restoring healthier soil conditions and giving native plants more room to grow naturally.

Following the removal, the team has continued trail maintenance by reshaping edges and repurposing downed wood from the site to line pathways — defining walking areas while protecting low-growing plants like fringe cup from being trampled.

A portion of the Native Plant Learning Garden showing the different native plants that are growing in this area. 足彩app哪个是正规的 native plants pictured include Sword fern, Salal, and Oregon grape.

Image of the proposed plan for relocating and growing native plants in the Native Plant Learning Garden.

Planting with Longevity in Mind

Ruth has developed a planting plan for Spring 2026 that reflects both the garden’s history and its future needs. Rather than simply adding new plants, this phase focuses on balance and longevity — relocating dominant species like sword fern and Oregon grape while introducing a wider range of pollinator plants and native herbs. 足彩app哪个是正规的se additions are designed to strengthen plant relationships, improve biodiversity, and create a more sustainable ecosystem within the garden.

Upcoming planting events will invite interns and community members to help bring this plan to life.

Supporting the Next Phase

To fund these efforts, Ruth and the team applied for the Washington Native Plant Society’s Native Plant Conservation Grant. Working within a tight timeline, Ruth developed a proposal focused on increasing biodiversity, improving plant health, and updating educational signage. With support from FOSEP and CoSEE faculty, the team successfully secured the funding needed to move forward.

Reflecting on the process, Ruth shared: “Some plans didn’t result in the intended outcome, but it was always a valuable learning experience — a healthy challenge to rise above the circumstances and navigate a new space.”

Photo of the group of volunteers who attended CoSEE’s Second Relocation Party at Saint Edwards State Park.

Image of some Oregon Grape that was relocated from the Perimeter Trail to the Native Plant Learning Garden at CoSEE’s Second Plant Relocation Party at Saint Edwards State Park.

A Garden That Continues to Grow

足彩app哪个是正规的 Native Plant Learning Garden continues to evolve as a long-term CoSEE project, shaped by each group of students who contribute to its care. This next phase ensures the garden not only continues to grow, but does so in a way that supports plant health, visitor experience, and community learning.

Located near the gymnasium parking lot at Saint Edward State Park, the garden is open to all. Visitors are encouraged to explore and consider how native plants can play a role in their own lives — through gardening, stewardship, or simply seeing local landscapes in a new way.

As this work continues, the garden stands as a reflection of CoSEE’s commitment to long-term ecological care, student leadership, and community engagement.

足彩app哪个是正规的 post Growing the Native Plant Learning Garden appeared first on Collaborative for Socio-Ecological Engagement.