Using Seward Park as the primary classroom, the Center will inspire exploration, discovery, and stewardship of the natural world through enhanced learning and maturing experiences that promote healthy, sustainable communities.

Description:
The Seward Park Environmental & Audubon Center is a project of Audubon Washington, a field office of National Audubon Society. Seward Park is part of the national Audubon vision to establish neighborhood nature education centers in urban areas of high ethnic diversity. The Center’s mission statement is: Using Seward Park as the primary classroom, the Center will inspire exploration, discovery, and stewardship of the natural world through enhanced learning and maturing experiences that promote healthy, sustainable communities.

Audubon Washington and Seattle Parks and Recreation are proud partners in the creation of the Seward Park Environmental & Audubon Center. Both organizations are committed to conserving and enhancing natural areas and wildlife habitat, as well as connecting people with nature through environmental education and stewardship programs.

History:
In January 2000, National Audubon Society President John Flicker and the Senior Vice President of the Centers and Education Program, Tamar Chotzen, visited Seattle to help select a site for Washington’s flagship Audubon Center. Seward Park-with its remarkable natural assets and ideal location for achieving the organization’s goal of reaching out to communities underserved by environmental education-was the clear choice, and Audubon Washington initiated a proposal to the city.

In November 2000, city residents voted in support of a parks levy that earmarked $618,000 for the renovation of the Annex and Hatchery buildings at Seward Park. Following this in June 2003, the Seattle City Council unanimously passed an ordinance supporting a partnership between the City and Audubon Washington. The two parties signed a Development Agreement and a 20-year Use and Occupancy Agreement three months later.

In July 2003, as part of the centennial celebration of the Olmsted park plan for the city, the Seattle Landmarks Board designated the Annex, built in 1927, a historic landmark building. Seward Park is part of the Olmsted legacy and landscape heritage stemming from a formal plan compiled by John Charles Olmsted and adopted by the Seattle City Council in 1903.

In the final negotiations for the project, Audubon accepted responsibility for the estimated $2 million in planning, design, and renovation costs for the Annex building, while Seattle Parks accepted responsibility to remove the former fish hatchery ponds and renovate its buildings.

Pre-renovation design work for the Audubon Center began in September 2004 with a public meeting. In an effort to engage the public and ensure an inviting and welcoming design, three interactive exercises were facilitated in the local community, which included brainstorming and small group breakout sessions. Additional program feedback, received from community surveys and interviews, formed the foundation for the building program drafted by Mithūn Architects.

Mithūn and Audubon Washington’s pro-bono owner’s representative from Boeing worked with Audubon and Seattle Parks staff to begin schematic design in March 2005. The design was completed in February 2006 and was submitted to the City of Seattle for construction permitting. Upon adoption of this business plan and approval for construction by the National Audubon Society Board of Directors in Fall 2006, construction could begin.

Renovation on the Tudor-style house at the entrance to Seward Park will be completed early in 2008. The building will re-open as an outdoor nature education center and programming at the Center and in the park will include school, youth, community, arts in the environment, and special events. The Center will also include exhibits, an extensive library, a laboratory, and a small gift shop.

Contact people:

Christopher Millow, Naturalist/Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email) Annie Morton, Program Director, (phone), (email) Gail Gatton, Center Director, (phone), (email)

Address:

5902 Lake Washington Blvd S. Seattle, WA 98118 This location is handicap accessible (See a map)

Web Site: http://sewardpark.audubon.org

Directions:

Directions From I-5 North or South: Take the I-90 East/Rainier Exit. Head south on Rainier to Genesee. Turn east on Genesee to Lake Washington Blvd. South. Take Lake Washington Blvd S. south to Seward Park. The Center is located at. . . (more)   Nearest Bus Stop: 39, 3 minute walk

Miscellaneous Information

Liability
	No
Does your organization welcome court-ordered community service volunteers?
	No
Does your organization have volunteer positions for youth 12-18?
	Yes