One thing we have a lot of here in Skagit County is water, and that is where amphibians and fish species are most at home. Skagit Land Trust invites you to join us on Saturday April 12th at the Utopia Conservation Area near Sedro-Woolley to observe some frog egg masses and participate in some fun educational activities! Admission is free.
This event will be hosted in partnership with other local conservation organizations and will feature walking tours by educators from the North Cascades Institute and Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group on salmon habitat, amphibians in Skagit County, and natural area restoration. Skagit Land Trust will also host an arts and crafts project. Activities will be geared towards children ages 5-12, but all ages are welcome! This will be a great day to bring the whole family and learn about amphibians and land conservation in a beautiful place.
Please contact volunteer@skagitlandtrust.org if your family or youth group is interested in atttending. Driving directions and schedule of events listed below.
Driving Directions:
Take Highway 20 heading East from Interstate 5. After passing through Sedro-Woolley, look for Hoehn Rd. on your right. Turn right on Hoehn Rd and follow until the road ends at a T with Utopia Rd. Take a left turn onto Utopia Rd and the event will be on your right. Look for Skagit Land Trust staff who will direct cars to park alongside the road, or in the parking area if you have a small bus or large van.
Schedule of Events:
Walk and Talk: Each of these three walks will be offered at the times listed below. Attendees can choose which talk to attend. Walks will gather at the respective booths five minutes before scheduled times. Your hosts will be:
- “Frogs, Toads and Salamanders: Life Cycles of Amphibians, and Tadpole Twist Game” by Samantha Hale, Masters Candidate, North Cascades Institute
- “Salmon and the Skagit” by Ned Currence, Biologist, Nooksack Tribe biologist
- “Planting Trees for our Furry (and Smooth!) Friends: How Restoration Benefits Wildlife” by Sue Madsen, Restoration Ecologist, Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group
Continuous Activities: These activities will be available throughout the event, and attendees can participate at their leisure. Activity Round Robin, listed below, refers to times between scheduled talks when continuous activities will be the main focus of the event.
- Egg mass viewing with Skagit Land Trust’s Regina Wandler
- Arts and Crafts Table with origami frog making and a frog life cycle color activity
- Button-making machine with Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group
- Story Circle with David Baer, SLT volunteer
10:00am – Arrivals, sign in
10:30am – First round of Talks
11:00am – 11:30am Activity Round Robin
11:30 – Second Round of Talks
12:00 pm – 12:30 Activity Round Robin
12:30 - Third Round of Talks
1:00-2:00pm – Activity Round Robin