Not all our fine feathered friends on the Olympic Peninsula wing away to warmer climes. Many of the birds we see and love in our gardens stick around all year and need a food supply and shelter to get them through the winter. Join Environmental Scientist Katja Bridwell for the Green Thumb Education Series presentation, “Gardening Choices Helpful to Wintering Birds,” and find out what to plant in your garden to help birds when their options are limited.

“We are fortunate to live in a climate where we have many birds that stay with us year-round and bring joy to our yards in all seasons. But sometimes we get harsh conditions, especially during winter, that can put considerable stress on these bird species,” Katja said. “As our climate is becoming more erratic, it is causing greater stress and mortality on our birds, as our insects and plants are also being impacted.”

Gardeners will find out how they can make a difference by following certain practices and by planting a variety of vegetation that can enhance bird habitat and help our wintering friends.

Katja is Vice President of the Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society (OPAS) and a member of their Board of Directors. OPAS is leading a project with the National Wildlife Federation to certify Clallam County north of the Olympics as a wildlife habitat. It also encourages individuals to certify their properties as wildlife habitats to create corridors throughout the county that link to natural areas for the benefit of all wildlife. Katja is also an environmental scientist and consultant with 50 years of experience in a wide range of environmental fields. She is working hard to turn her 10 acres into a variety of habitats for wildlife!

The Green Thumb Education Series presentation “Gardening Choices Helpful to Wintering Birds” will be held in person on Thursday, September 26th from noon – 1:00 p.m. at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 510 E. Park Avenue in Port Angeles.

Or you may join via Zoom from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android:
https://wsu.zoom.us/j/93629898830?pwd=UnRkYjdwSGNmTnA4Y2hxVFBuRHVkZz09
Meeting ID: 936 2989 8830
Passcode: 676224
Or join by phone: 253-215-8782

The Green Thumb Education Series, sponsored by the Washington State University Clallam County Master Gardeners, is held on the second and fourth Thursday of each month through October. In November, December, and January, one lecture is offered. Scheduled presentations are subject to change. Visit the WSU Extension Clallam County website calendar for the latest information on upcoming presentations. For questions, call 360-565-2678
.