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Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center

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The new Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center provides a grand entrance to the Mercer Slough Nature Park. Completed in October 2008, the complex features classrooms, a visitor center, a community building and a "tree house," all sustainably built. The City of Bellevue and Pacific Science Center offer year-round education about wetlands and nature for adults, youth and families at the center.

The Heron Reporter - MSEEC newsletter (fall 2010 issue)

Programs
Visitor Center Hours and Information
Partnership
Green Building Features
Driving and Parking Directions
Douglas Fir Community Building Rental Information
Construction Information
Rental Information
Mercer Slough Nature Park Trail Map

Programs

Fall program brochure

Ranger Programs

Nature Walk - Saturdays, 2 p.m., Visitor Center.
Guided Canoe Tours (May through September) - canoe tour information and map of Enatai Beach Park and Mercer Slough Water Trail
Art in Nature - daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Visitor Center.

To register for programs, visit http://www.myparksandrecreation.com/ or call 425-452-6885.

Visitor Center Hours and Information
The visitor center, open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., has interpretive displays depicting the nature park’s history and wildlife and plants often seen within the park. There is also an interactive library for all ages, including children’s books and adult field guides. The Artist’s Nook features a different artist each month. These pieces range in style and composition, with the underlying theme of being inspired by nature. The spacious community building is a place where everyone can gather for environmental programs, community gatherings or rental events.

Visitors to MSEEC can view the slough, surrounding wetlands, and wildlife from the tree house, elevated boardwalk systems, and the many viewing overlooks. Stop by the Visitor Center to pick up a trail map of the nature park, program information and see the interpretive display and this month’s artist.

Partnership
The MSEEC is a collaboration between the City of Bellevue and the Pacific Science Center. This partnership brings year-round education and interpretation of freshwater ecosystems, wetland ecology, environmental stewardship and the effect of urban development to adults, youth and families. MSEEC is the keystone of interpretive facilities and programs for the City of Bellevue and serves as the Eastside focal point for the Pacific Science Center. The MSEEC provides classrooms for environmental education, a visitor center for interpretation and a community building for rentals, community gatherings and environmental programs.

For more information about Pacific Science Center programs, please call 425-450-0207 or visit http://www.pacsci.org/slough/.

Green Building Features
The MSEEC was designed and built to have minimal impact on the environment. Special gutters, porous concrete and catchment ponds slow and filter water runoff at the site. Green roofs reduce impermeable surfaces and warming around buildings. Renewable, recycled, local materials, along with sustainably harvested wood were used in the construction of the buildings.

The city has received a gold LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating. LEED is a third-party certification program developed by the U.S. Green Building Council and is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings. See news release

MSEEC construction page - learn about Wet lab 2

Driving and Parking Directions

From I-405:

Take Exit 12 for SE 8th Street
Travel west on Southeast Eighth Street
Take immediate left onto 118th Avenue Southeast, heading south
Travel about a half mile
Just before the first MSEEC sign (in light blue), take the first right into the parking lot.
Walk the path to the front of the buildings.

From I-90

Take Exit 9 for Bellevue Way. Continue for one mile.
Veer right onto 112th Avenue Southeast.
Take a right onto Southeast Eighth Street.
Take a right onto 118th Avenue Southeast.
Travel about a half mile.
Just before the first MSEEC sign (in light blue), take the first right into the parking lot.
Walk the path to the front of the buildings.

Contact Information

Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center
1625 118th Ave. SE
Bellevue, WA 98005
Contact: Christina Dyson-Farrell
Phone: 425-452-2565
E-mail: MSEEC@bellevuewa.gov
Contact: Apryl Brinkley, Educational Programming (Pacific Science Center)
Phone: 425-450-0207
E-mail: ABrinkley@pacsci.org
Business Hours: Daily, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Related Links

Pacific Science Center