Life in a Peat Wetland: Bonaparte Meadows – OkaKnowledgy Speaker Series
March 18 @ 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Free
Ever wondered what the difference between a bog and a fen is? What lives in a fen? Or how peat forms? If you have — or you do now — then this presentation is for you!
Calcarious or alkaline fens are an extremely rare habitat type in Washington State, and the Okanogan Highlands are home to three of them. This talk by three experts in botany, wetland ecology, and ecological restoration, explores the geology, botany, and human history of Bonaparte Meadows, the largest calcarious fen in our region (that we know of!). Although impacted by a history of human disturbance, this remarkable place still holds extraordinary benefits for rare plantlife, for wildlife, and the surrounding landscape, as well as tremendous potential for restoration.
Join us for this important event! The greater work of this project will be covered, as well as the ways you can participate. We will have related future events to get you on the land with us, so stay close!
Come learn about this rare and special place and the current efforts to protect it!
Julie Vanderwal is a Certified Ecological Restoration Planner based in Twisp
Josh Wozniak is a professional wetland biologist with over 25 years experience delineating wetlands in the Puget Sound region and throughout the western US.
Dana Visalli is a botanist and editor of the Methow Naturalist.