First Annual "Where Our Wild Things Are" Habitat Tour

By Jennifer Rotermund

On Saturday, July 10, Shoreline held its first annual “Where Our Wild Things Are” Habitat Tour. Sponsored by the Sustainable Shoreline Education Association (SSEA), The City of Shoreline, and in partnership with the National Wildlife Federation, the tour featured seven habitats on private Shoreline properties in the Hillwood and Echo Lake neighborhoods.

The weather could not have been more cooperative, and what was expected to draw about 100 people drew over twice that amount. Thanks to the vision of SSEA Board Member Boni Biery, the leadership of community organizer Afia Menke, the cooperative effort of a dynamic team of volunteers, the generosity of the homeowners of the seven properties who participated and the time spent by all of the people who attended the tour, this inaugural event was an incredible success.

The date for next year’s tour has been set for Saturday, July 9, so mark your calendars now. The WOWTA team is hoping to find enough willing participants to show off their habitats in different Shoreline neighborhoods each year, so please let the team know if you’re interested in having your certified wildlife habitat in an upcoming tour. If your habitat is not yet certified, go to the WOWTA website  to find out how to do that - it is easy and fun.

The WOWTA team is also always looking for enthusiastic people to join in the fun of organizing the next tour. Please let them know if that person is you. You can contact the WOWTA team by posting to the WOWTA Facebook page or by sending an email.

Jennifer Rotermund is the Lead Gardener for Garden of Weedin’ (a local pesticide-free garden maintenance company), owner of Gaiaceous Gardens (an urban vegetable and herb farm and certified wildlife habitat in Shoreline) and Habitat Steward.

Photos by Dorrena Ortega and Pax Ortega