Apr 2025
In this edition:
Spring Has Sprung in Hooven Forest
Connections: Nature Walks With Alexia
Connections: Mindfulness Sessions with Ana
Merchandise and Donations Link Available
Spring Has Sprung in Hooven Forest
In case you haven't been out lately to walk Hooven Forest, we thought you might appreciate that one of the first signs of spring is the blooming of the three-petaled white trillium (Trillium ovatum). Also known as the Wake Robin or Western Trillium, this native plant is in the lily, or Melanthiaceae family. The three white flower petals often turn pink and even a dark lavender as they age.
Some species of trillium are listed as threatened or endangered, so picking or digging up these species may be illegal. While they are beautiful to look at they are also extremely fragile, and picking them seriously injures the plant by preventing the leaf-like bracts from producing food for the next year, often effectively killing the plant and ensuring none will grow in its place.
Other early spring plants to look for are the giant skunk cabbage found in the seasonal wetlands. Lysichiton americanus, also called western skunk cabbage, yellow skunk cabbage, American skunk-cabbage or swamp lantern, is found in swamps and wet woods, along streams and in other wet areas of the Pacific Northwest, where it is one of the few native species in the Araceae or Arum family (the same as the calla lily). Skunk cabbage is easily identifiable by its bright yellow flower and large green leaves - and skunky smell. Its young roots and leaves are edible - but only after cooking. Its roots are also food for black bears as they rouse themselves from hibernation (the black bears are officially awake in Hooven Forest and have been spotted at nearby Crystal Lake!)
A big thank you to the Hooven Forest Trail Elves who chain-sawed the old maple which had sheared off and fallen across the northeastern trail during a winter windstorm. We didn't see you, but we know you have been working hard. Wow! Those were some thick logs to cut through. We appreciate all the volunteer efforts to keep the Hooven Trails open for all of us (Paul, we are talking to you!). If you see any of these hard working folks, please thank them for all of us.
Connections: Nature Walks With Alexia
Are you looking for a fun, guided opportunity to enjoy the sights and sounds of Hooven Forest?
Alexia of Hawthorne Farm will lead three nature walks in Hooven Forest at 10 AM the second Sunday of each month:
April 13 at 10am
May 11 at 10am (Mother’s Day so bring the Moms in your life!)
June 8 at 10am
Location: Meet at the trailhead at the north end of 170th, and we'll spend an hour to an hour and a half strolling and listening with Alexia, an experienced naturalist and birding-by-ear teacher.
All ages welcome, but kids must have an adult with them. No cost, but Hooven Forest donations welcome.
Questions? Contact Alexia at hawthornhealstheheart@gmail.com or 425-286-5640.
Connections: Mindfulness Sessions with Ana
Do you ever wish you could experience your days with a greater sense of calm, ease and joy? Are you interested in building a supportive community with others in your neighborhood?
Join us for weekly Mindfulness Sessions, where we will learn to cultivate present moment awareness and establish a meditation practice.
Sessions will be held on Sundays from 4-5:30pm:
April 6 at 4pm
April 13 at 4pm
(no April 20 session)
April 27 at 4pm
May 4th at 4pm
Location: Enter from the South Side entrance at 166th Ave NE / 85th Ave SE and walk a few minutes in and you will see an open tree grove.
Ana Huston has been practicing mindfulness for the past 12 years. She completed a two year Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certificate Program with Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach. She also trained in “Awakening Joy”with James Baraz and is currently in the Community Dharma Leaders Teacher Program at Spirit Rock Meditation Center.
All ages welcome, but kids must have an adult with them. No cost, but Hooven Forest donations welcome.
Questions? Contact Ana Huston at ae1031@hotmail.com or 425-236-4383.
Merchandise and Donations Links Available
We have hand-delivered all the Hooven Forest branded hoodies and beanies ordered at the Feb 27 event - except for just 4 remaining size Small 90% cotton/10 % spandex hoodies and 8 beanies (one size, 100% acrylic). These last few items are available for donations of $60 (hoodie) or $30 (beanie) through the donate button on hoovenforest.org (put in the notes you are requesting a hoodie or beanie and the size). We only make about $5 from each sale of this first batch of beanies and hoodies, so we are migrating to a Custom Ink fundraising page with T-Shirts available for the spring and summer.
Order our new branded Hanes authentic T-shirts directly from Custom Ink for $20 (plus shipping)! Custom Ink only allows a 30 day maximum fundraiser, so these T-shirts will only be available through Monday April 28th! We need 50 T-shirt orders in order to get them printed, so please help.
We also now have a Donations button on the website homepage hoovenforest.org. We are using PayPal to collect donations for our 501(c)(3) organization to help us cover basic website and event costs as well as eventually engage a land use lawyer.
