Yesler Swamp is a super unique area to explore and restore on campus! Because it is down by Union Bay, a portion of it is submerged underwater for some of the year.
The swamp is home to great blue herons, raccoons, caterpillars, ducks, and many types of mushrooms! Walking around the boardwalk, it’s hard to imagine that you are still in the city of Seattle.
There used to be a sawmill here, and after it burned down, the site became filled with invasive species of plants. Now, students are working hard (and having a blast!) removing those invasive plants to make way for native species that help the wildlife thrive and improve the beauty of the area too!
Yesler Swamp is a substantial site, where various restoration activities have occurred at different pieces of the site. Some work has occurred near the entrance to the site east of the Douglas Research Conservancy (DRC), while other work has occurred at the southeast entrance or elsewhere in the site. Some drier parts of the site are planted with forest understory plants, while seasonally wet areas may be planted with willows and other shrubs.
To learn more about this site’s history, check out https://botanicgardens.uw.edu/center-for-urban-horticulture/visit/yesler-swamp/.
Directions
Meeting Location (Google Maps)
Yesler Swamp is located east of the Douglas Research Conservancy. We meet at the CUH toolshed (see photo above), but if you come late we may be at several locations in this large site. Some of these spots are close-by along the trail that winds through the swamp, but sometimes we work at the far southeast end of the swamp, so if you come late don’t give up too quickly! Also check our Instagram for updates.