Author: Mark Ahlness

I am a retired teacher, with dreams of still making a difference.
cheastyPAT, communication, greenspaces, natural areas, outreach, urban issues1 Comment

Seattle’s Natural Areas – requests for policy info and more

Mark Ahlness

Today Seattle Nature Alliance sent a letter to the City Council and several other organizations. We asked for information on development of the new greenspaces/natural areas policy that Parks Superintendent Williams mentioned last August. We also recommended the Cheasty PAT be dismissed or postponed until AFTER the new natural areas policy has been developed and approved: Revised permanent use policy for Seattle’s Natural Areas and Greenbelts (pdf) Feel free to distribute it, and please let the City Council know how you feel. Thanks! Continue reading Seattle’s Natural Areas – requests for policy info and more

cheasty, development, natural areas10 Comments

Mitigating the Loss of Nature, part 1

Mark Ahlness

It might not seem like that much – say, 5,000 square feet, the size of an average city lot in Seattle. But when you look at what once was living there and the current deadness of the space surrounded by a vibrant forest, well… This horseshoe pit in Lincoln Park was built in the mid 1930’s by the WPA. It has not been used regularly in decades. Its most frequent activity these days is a weekend beer party in the summer. See over 100 pictures taken there in the last eight months. There are six trees growing within its chain … Continue reading Mitigating the Loss of Nature, part 1

communication, outreach, Schmitz Park1 Comment

New Signs in Schmitz Park

Mark Ahlness

There are a couple of new additions to Schmitz Park, signs encouraging appropriate use:Located at the SW Hines and the Admiral/Stevens entrances to the park, they are a reminder to visitors to treat the park gently and with respect, as “The Forest Floor is Alive”. Schmitz Park, at 53 acres, includes some beautiful riparian habitat created by Schmitz Park Creek, and it is home to one last stands of old growth forest left in Seattle. The interpretive signs were designed and donated to Schmitz Park by artist/writer/designer Denise Dahn. She is a Co-founder and Director of Seattle Nature Alliance and … Continue reading New Signs in Schmitz Park

communication, KIds, reading, urban issuesLeave a comment

Keeping up on reading

Mark Ahlness

Since posting Summer Reading and Reading Challenges here it’s become clear that keeping up regular posts about great readings is unrealistic. There is simply too much fantastic writing about nature and cities out there! So here’s a listing of a few places to check online, where the writing is regular, timely, and always interesting. Keeping up with all of them is a challenge, but thankfully, most have options for staying in touch via email subscription, rss feed, Twitter, and of course, Facebook. The Open Voices Blog on Nature Sacred – regular pieces, and a weekly “Open Voices News Roundup”, with summaries … Continue reading Keeping up on reading