If you asked early citizens of Seattle which natural feature best symbolized the region, few would have hesitated in responding “Douglas firs.”  These trees were everywhere, but they were not the only plants in the area.  In this talk, the speaker will describe the pre-settlement botanical landscape of Seattle by examining modern clues, such as neighborhood names, big stumps, and big trees, that provide hints for telling this story and for showing the complexity and beauty of Seattle 150 years ago.

About the speaker: David B. Williams is an author, naturalist, and tour guide whose award winning book, ‘Homewaters: A Human and Natural History of Puget Sound' is a deep exploration of the stories of this beautiful waterway. He is also the author of the award-winning book ‘Too High and Too Steep’: ‘Reshaping Seattle’s Topography,' as well as ‘Seattle Walks: Discovering History and Nature in the City’. Williams is a Curatorial Associate at the Burke Museum and writes a free weekly newsletter, the Street Smart Naturalist.

This is an in-person  event. Registration is REQUIRED for entry,