By Kathryn True

Since our first BioBlitz in 2012, Vashon Nature Center has been a virtual nature center—operating out of staff cars, garages, basements and freezers where we store research books, field equipment, teaching materials and coyote scat (for DNA analysis, people!). Thanks to an exciting new partnership with Vashon Center for the Arts that celebrates art, science and community—we will now have a non-virtual home at the center of the island … and scat-free freezers.

“VCA owns an important part of the Judd Creek water system in the form of a lovely meadow and four small wetlands to the east side of our campus,” says Kevin Hoffberg, executive director for Vashon Center for the Arts. “Last year we began the work of restoring what at that point was a bit of a ‘field gone wild.’ In the process, we began talking with the folks at Vashon Nature Center and, well, one thing led to another.”

VNC is excited to help VCA develop stewardship plans for the meadow and wetlands, do on-site field studies, and create classes and projects that combine natural history, science and art.

“Nature is at the heart of a lot of art and music created on our islands,” says Bianca Perla, director, Vashon Nature Center. “With this partnership we’re asking what happens when you bring together our strong natural history culture and thriving arts and music culture—this seems like a powerful thing and I think there’s going to be fireworks!”

Perla added that the collaboration is a good fit because engaging in art and nature are both about stepping outside human constructs and looking at the world in new ways.

“When I go running with my artist friend, Bella, and we find a mushroom on the path, I look at what kind of wood it’s growing out of, see if there are other mushrooms growing around it and if they are similar or different, and consider the weather and the season. While Bella drops to her knees and says, ‘Look at the way the light is coming through these gills!’” Perla says. “These are two different ways of looking at nature and sharing them with each other deepens our experience. We need both ways of looking at the world to reach our full potential as humans.”

As part of the partnership, this year VNC will locate a small movable field station (likely in the form of a shipping container) on the north end of the meadow where volunteers and staff can launch projects, process science samples and store field gear. In 2020, VNC plans to open an additional small office/meeting space with a research library and interpretive exhibit where staff can answer questions during office hours.

“Our vision is ‘A world awakened to the wonders of nature.’ We want to connect all people to the natural world and this partnership will create more opportunities for community engagement on our island and throughout the region,” says Jen Williams, VNC board president. “Accessibility to our programs is very important and as the nature center continues to evolve to serve more people here and from around the Salish Sea, it will be incredibly beneficial to have an easy-to-access home that is visible and centered in the community. We are grateful to VCA for this opportunity.”

Those involved with both organizations are looking forward to bringing their talents together to become better stewards of our island home and beyond.

“At VCA, we are bringing increasing focus and energy to how art helps us explore, understand and advocate for our shared humanity and our shared need to steward and care for our island and planet,” Hoffberg says. “Joining energies with VNC is a great example and we think will be a blessing to both organizations and to everyone on our island home.”

Care and restoration of the wetland meadow has begun in earnest and will continue with a work party from Sunday, April 28 from 1 to 5 (NOTE: this work party has been rescheduled to May 11, from 9 am-12 pm). Volunteers are welcome! VNC’s first official “open house” at our new island home will be during the annual VCA Garden Tour, June 22 and 23 at VCA. Called Creating Sanctuary for Wildlife and People, this Garden Tour stop will address the questions: What do we mean when we say we are restoring a place? What are we restoring it to? For whom? And on what spatial and temporal scale? The wetland meadow restoration is a working attempt to create a beautiful and functional sanctuary for wildlife and humans. Reflect on what restoration and sanctuary mean to you as you view the (messy and real) beginning of a restoration project. Activities will include exploring your local watershed, building nest boxes with Meade Construction (make a bee, bat, or bird house for your own sanctuary or donate it to the wetland meadow), native landscaping tips from Melissa Schafer, observing the area and adding to our site species list, and sharing what sanctuary means to you. Please join us! We welcome you all!

It takes a village to build a nature center! Would you be willing to donate any of these essential items on our wish list?

Shipping container and delivery to site

3 pressure-treated 6x8s (about 9 feet long) for footings

Retractable Awning for side of shipping container

Metal storage shelves

Refrigerator/freezer

Outdoor light

Durable plastic bins with lids

Space heater