Saint Edward State Park is home to a charming garden alcove which consists of more than 55 native plants. As a 2021 Park Improvement Project recipient, area staff and volunteers will add interpretive signage to the garden. With this upgrade, visitors will be able to scan QR codes on plant tags and learn about natural history, ethnobotanical uses, and restoration values. The Native Plant Camera Phone Tour will help inform people of the importance of native plants to our ecosystem. 

“The original Native Plant Garden was created several years ago in a forest island in the North Parking lot. Since then, invasives had moved into that area and the individual plant signage was clearly showing its age. The project to refresh the Native Plant Garden was initiated by volunteers working with the new Environmental Education and Research Center (EERC)–a joint effort by UW-Bothell and Washington State Parks. Having the support from the Washington State Parks Foundation to fund this project helps provide momentum for further educational efforts as park visitors see opportunities to learn when visiting the park.” -Elaine Everitt, Volunteer at Friends of Saint Edward State Park.