The Mercer Slough
Environmental Education Center
Grand opening
celebration for the new, expanded
Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center
now set for October 11, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Tucked away in the heart of Bellevue, the
Mercer Slough is a gem in the Northwest landscape. This
320-acre nature park is home to hundreds of diverse plants
and animals that depend on this unique ecosystem for
survival. The Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center
brings thousands of school children and families from
throughout our region face-to-face with this precious
resource, providing invaluable hands-on environmental
education.
On October 11, we are proud and honored to welcome our
community to the brand new, expanded Environmental
Education Center. Thanks to tireless support from our
partner in this venture, the City of Bellevue, and our
other many supporters, the first phase of the Center's
expansion is complete and ready to share with you. The
former facility, created 15 years ago, was cherished by the
teachers and school children who visited each year, but as
our programs grew, we outgrew the facility. Only able to
serve 8,000 people each year, we were forced to turn eager
learners away. Once all phases of the new expansion are
complete, we look forward to welcoming as many as 40,000
school children, teachers and families each year.
Our award-winning programs have not gone away. We will
continue to offer our Wetland Field Studies program for
school groups, our Wild B'earthday celebrations,
badge-related hike programs for scouts groups, and several
other activities for families. We urge you to come discover
and explore the new Mercer Slough Environmental Education
Center with us and learn more about our programs during the
Grand Opening celebration on October 11. We're planning a
day full of rich, fun, hands-on activities for all ages.
Grand Opening
Festivities - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
A
Speaker Series will run throughout the day, highlighting:
- History of the Mercer Slough (presented by Eastside Heritage Center)
- Scope and importance of local watersheds (presented by Mountains to Sound)
- Salmon at the Mercer Slough (presented by Bellevue Stream Team)
- Green architecture at the new Environmental Education Center (presented by Jones & Jones Architecture)
- Energy efficiency (presented by Puget Sound Energy)
- And much more!
Other activities include: Native species on-site planting, water creature exploration in the ponds, toddler hikes, facility tour with park rangers, and overviews of our many programs for school groups, kids, teens and families!
→Download the entire program (1.9 MB PDF)
Directions and Parking:
There is limited on-site parking at the Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center. But thanks to PEMCO Mutual Insurance, a great alternative is available to all who attend the event. A free shuttle service will be provided at nearby Newport High School starting at 9:30 a.m. and will throughout the event. Buses will run every 15 minutes to and from the parking lot just off Factoria Blvd. Use the map below:
