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Jun 28 2020
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Neighborhood Nature Walk

By Nature, Youth Education One Comment

Neighborhood Nature Walk By Angela DiLorenzo I’ve seen many families out walking during the pandemic. It has been nice to see bikes and scooters on the streets and pathways of our neighborhoods and parks. As the weather improves, we are pulled outside. Consider taking a nature walk in your own neighborhood. I know we are separated from our Bellevue Botanical Garden programs, docents, and other nature professionals, but you can still enjoy the forested parts of our city. An after-breakfast…

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Jun 16 2020
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Shadow Picture

By Nature, Youth Education One Comment
Shadow Picture By Marcy Reynolds As we approach the summer solstice, daylight is shining longer each day, giving us lots of chances to play in the sun. One activity I enjoy on a sunny afternoon is making a shadow picture outside. All you need is pencil or pen and a piece of paper. Take a walk at the Garden or in your neighborhood Find a shadow you like. Put a piece of paper on the sidewalk Draw a line along…
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Jun 05 2020
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Why Are New Leaves a Lighter Color?

By Nature, Youth Education One Comment
Why Are New Leaves a Lighter Color? By Marcy Reynolds Spring is a time of new growth at the Garden. While dazzling displays of colorful flowers easily catch the eye, I love seeing so many different shades of green on the trees and shrubs. Some of them almost look like they are glowing green! But why? With more sunshine and rain, plants grow, but why is the new growth light in color, while the existing leaves or needles look darker?…
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May 22 2020
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Exploring the Texture of Trees

By Nature, Youth Education One Comment
Exploring the Texture of Trees By Kate Sorensen Now is a great time to head outside to observe the textures found in nature. Some questions to think about while you are exploring include: How would you describe the tree bark that you find? Is it thick or thin? Smooth or rough? Does the tree have leaves (deciduous) or needles (coniferous)? How do they feel? Compare an old leaf to a new leaf. Do they feel different? What part of the…
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May 07 2020
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How Does Your Garden Grow?

By Gardening, Nature, Youth Education One Comment
By Kate Sorensen As I was wandering around the Flower and Garden Festival a couple of years ago, there was a booth for kids to make a plant pot out of newspaper. It was really easy and ingenious! So, I went looking online for directions to share with you. You just need newspaper and a bottle or jar with a concave bottom. Read more here. The Spruce website has some great container garden projects that kids will love. Link includes:…
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May 02 2020
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Spring Has Sprung!

By Youth Education No Comments
Spring has sprung! By Kate Sorensen Now is a great time to look at the growth of plants as we head into the growing season. I’ve started to take photos of our Gunnera tinctoria plants at the Garden (pictured above). They grow so fast! They look like giant rhubarb, but the plants are not related to each other. If you are visiting the Garden, you can find the plants by the Aaron Education Center and office entrance in the Rain…
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May 02 2020
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Planning – and Planting – for Pollinators

By Adult Education, Gardening, Nature, Resources 2 Comments
Bumblebee on Aster x frikartii 'Monch' in the Urban Meadow at BBG Planning – and Planting – for Pollinators By Cynthia Welte Home gardeners can do a lot for pollinator species by providing access to shelter, food, water, and nesting space. The Urban Meadow at the Bellevue Botanical Garden is an example of a pollinator-friendly planting. Next time you walk at the Garden, look at the plants and layout for ideas for your garden. Urban and suburban gardens are not…
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Apr 22 2020
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Family Educational Activities

By Resources, Youth Education No Comments
By Kate Sorensen Education Program Manager Happy Earth Day and welcome to our first weekly Education Blog Post! The purpose of these blog posts will be to share thoughts about botanical and nature education for children and youth and to provide a few links to information and activities for families. I’m excited about this first link to a 30-day challenge from TED-ed…and it’s fun for adults too! The first one is about Eating Insects. Ted-Ed Earth School – 30 Day…
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Apr 13 2020
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Rose Love

By Gardening, Nature, Resources 4 Comments
Words and Photo by Nita-Jo Rountree Roses are beginning to show us why they’re called the “Queen of Flowers.” The lovely, newly emerging foliage fills us with great anticipation for the scented floral beauty that will soon follow. This is a perfect time to plant containerized roses, and the nurseries are brimming with choices. The other day at Wells Medina Nursery, I saw a man unloading a cart full of roses and compost into his SUV. “You’re going to have…
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Mar 30 2020
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Online Educational Activities for Kids & Families

By Resources, Youth Education No Comments
Earth Day is April 22 Commemorate Earth Day’s 50th anniversary with STEM and environmental education wherever you are! Earth Day Network is committed to supporting parents and teachers in providing engaging environmental education opportunities. As students and parents all over the world face a new reality of learning from home and teachers work hard to transition to digital classes, Earth Day Network is here to help! They have compiled lessons, activities and ideas for students of all ages to engage…
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