Use the links below to jump to your section of interest. And be sure to read our 2022 Year in Review infographic!
- Public Programs
- School and Organized Group Programs
- Community Partnership Programs and Special Events
- Volunteer
Nature and Environmental Education - Public Programs
Seattle Parks and Recreation offers multiple Nature and Environmental Education classes and programs in parks all over the city. To find classes on native plants, birds, urban forest walks and low tide beach explorations, search our registration portal using keywords nature and/or environment Sign in, or if this is your first time registering for classes with the latest software, create an account. Once you are logged in you can choose your programs and pay online.
If you are having difficulty searching for nature programs online call Camp Long Environmental Learning Center (206) 684-7434 or Carkeek Park Visitor Center (206) 386-4236 and one of our front desk attendants can search programming for you. We hope to see you at a program soon.
For more information about our Public Programs, please contact Program Supervisor Giovannina.Souers@seattle.gov
School and Organized Group Programs
Excitement, joy, energetic exploration and a healthy learning environment! Teachers and group leaders this is what your group will experience on a field trip to Seattle parks. Derive the benefits of a lesson plan integrating Next Generation Science Standards and Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements led by highly trained Seattle Urban Nature Guides.
Seattle Parks and Recreation Environmental Education team provides pre-school through fifth grade field trips in Seattle parks for school classes or your own personalized organized group.
These engaging programs are provided at parklands adjacent to YOUR school or community or at destination parks like Discovery Park, Camp Long, Carkeek Park and West Seattle beaches. Contact PKSNatureFieldTrips@seattle.gov to ask if we can come to your park.
Choose from a variety of programs, from ponds and beaches to forests and other seasonal offerings - such as an exciting spider program to encourage students to engage in learning in a natural fun-filled fashion. Download the information flyer here for more information. Programs are offered Monday through Friday (mornings and afternoons) year-round.
For more information and to schedule your school or organized group field trip program, please call (206) 684-0877 or email PKSNatureFieldTrips@seattle.gov
Pricing and Scholarship Info:
- $150 for up to 30 students, $5/student after the first 30
- $75 for up to 30 students for low-income schools/classrooms (50% or more receive free or reduced lunch)
- Free bus transportation available for Title 1 schools
Questions? or for more information, please call (206) 684-0877 or email PKSNatureFieldTrips@seattle.gov
Community Partnership Programs and Special Events
Using the Equity and Environment Agenda as our framework, Seattle Parks and Recreation Community Naturalists work across Seattle to partner with community-based organizations, connecting people with engaging and meaningful experiences in nature.
We strive to collaborate with our partners to provide relevant outdoor and nature programming, within communities which historically have not had access to these resources.
We partner with community-based organizations, such as:
- Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association
- Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle
- Duwamish Valley Youth Corp
- Kids & Paper
- Seattle Housing Authority
- Basilica Bio
- and many more
If you would like our team of naturalists to bring a program or booth to your next special event or community festival, or if your community organization would like to become a partner, please contact:
North Seattle and Indigenous Communities
Gina Lee - Community Naturalist
Central and Southeast Seattle
Nicolasa Hernandez – Community Naturalist
Southwest Seattle and Internal Partnerships
Nicole Parish-Andrews – Community Naturalist
Volunteer
Become a Seattle Urban Nature Guide (SUN guide) and Volunteer with Seattle Parks and Recreation to share your knowledge of the natural world with kids, families, schools classes and community groups.
Or join the Citywide Environmental Education Advisory Council and volunteer to help support our programing though fundraising, marketing, advocacy and running special events.
See Environmental Education Volunteering page for more information on volunteering with our team.