August 1, 2024

Making Way for New Oaks at Washington Park Arboretum

Pacifica attorneys, staff, and summer associates had the opportunity to spend a beautiful summer morning yesterday volunteering at the Washington Park Arboretum, the 230-acre urban greenspace on the shore of Lake Washington that’s home to more than 40,000 plant species.

The Arboretum, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, is managed by the University of Washington Botanic Gardens and Seattle Parks and Recreation, with partnership and support from the Arboretum Foundation.

Working in the Arboretum’s Oaks section, we helped clear the area around two newly planted oaks—a Shumard Oak and a Maple-leaved Oak—and wrestled with some familiar Seattle garden foes: blackberry and bindweed.

We also had an opportunity to learn a bit more about the Arboretum, its history, present, and future. We learned, for instance, that a grounds staff of just 14 people care for the Arboretum, which is free to the public, and that volunteers are vital its maintenance.

Below is a link to the Arboretum Foundation site for those who may be interested in volunteering or learning about other ways to support this beautiful public resource.

A huge thank you to Grounds Supervisor Roy Farrow and Arboretum Foundation Volunteer Programs Manager Lily King for welcoming us.

https://arboretumfoundation.org/