Seeds, wolves teach lessons

By Diane Huber | The Olympian • Published August 11, 2008

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TENINO – Campers learned about prairie restoration and wolf populations at a field trip to Wolf Haven International last week.

Girls ages 10 to 14 with the YWCA's Girls Without Limits summer camp program scoured a portion of Wolf Haven's 35 acres of prairie for wildflower seeds and learned about habitat and the importance of native species.

"We all like trees, because they're shady, but they're not good for the prairie," said Sophia Hess-Morgan, 11.

The seeds will be planted in a greenhouse, then replanted in the prairie next spring.

Colleen O'Shea, a prairie restoration specialist, said invasive species have taken over the area, and The Nature Conservancy's Olympia office is working to remove them and restore native plants, which are habitat to birds and butterflies. Only about 3 percent of historic Puget Sound native prairies remain, she said.

"I hope (the girls) get an understanding of how restoration does help the larger community as a whole — not just the people, but also helping the wildlife that lives here, like the butterflies, the pocket gophers and the coyotes," she said.

The girls also learned about wolf populations and toured the wolf sanctuary.

"It was really cool. Maybe there's a way to get the wolf population back. Some of them are really low. It's really scary," Sophia said.

Other activities at the two-week camp include a scavenger hunt of landmarks in downtown Olympia, yoga, creating a public service announcement at a radio station and taking water samples with Stream Team.

The YWCA is a camp for girls only, and its low cost and scholarships make it accessible for girls who might not otherwise be able to afford camp.

"Camp this summer has really been about learning how to take care of ourselves, learning how to take care of our environment and take care of our community," said Tracy McFarland, who leads the camp and the YWCA's Girls Without Limits free after-school program. "New experiences — that's what I want to give them."

Diane Huber covers education and features for The Olympian. She can be reached at 360-357-0204 or dhuber@theolympian.com.