About Us

Our Work

In everything we do, we promote a culture of connection that helps both nature and humanity thrive.

We rely on grassroots data. We believe that gathering scientific information is not just the realm of experts, but a community endeavor and conduit for learning and life enrichment open to all. Our volunteers work directly with expert scientists and naturalists to gather data vital to our understanding of local ecosystems on topics important to our island’s environmental health.

Nature is our classroom. We do our best work outside. We foster human connections with nature through interactive K–12 school science curricula, community events, and public naturalist workshops. We share discoveries through scientific publications, art-science projects, and natural history exhibits.

Our research goes beyond borders. Our projects contribute data to the entire Salish Sea scientific community. Together, we build collective knowledge in more than 50 partnerships and joint programs, including an international biodiversity project and sound-wide monitoring efforts.

Planning for the future. View the strategies that guide our work, including our commitment to equity, how we prioritize programs, and our 5-year strategic plan.

History

In 2012, Vashon Nature Center launched with a BioBlitz—a 24-hour species count marathon that brought together scientists, naturalists, community members, and school kids to find as many animals, plants, and other organisms as possible in one full day at Neill Point Natural Area near Tahlequah.

After growing a thriving nature community and developing  science education programs for eight years, the center gained nonprofit status in 2018. We formed a board and welcomed new staff members, but our mission has remained the same and our offices are still the forests and beaches of our beloved islands.

People

Our staff, board of directors, and advisory council members power Vashon Nature Center, along with our amazing cadre of community and student volunteers.