The Arboretum’s Tribal Life Trail lets visitors experience nature through the eyes of the native peoples of the Pacific Northwest.

A project of the Washington State University Extension Master Gardeners with the support of the Lake Wilderness Arboretum Foundation and the Tahoma School District, the Trail showcases plants native to the Maple Valley area, with educational signs that describe how they were used in daily life for food, medicine, utility, clothing and ceremony.

As part of their study of Native American culture, second grade students from Rock Creek Elementary took their annual field trip to the Arboretum this week, which includes a tour of the Tribal Life Trail led by a Master Gardener and story time led by teachers.

Garden Manager Susan Goodell also leads Arboretum volunteers in helping the students to identify native plants by their leaves, then create leaf rubbings on paper.

“I am always impressed by the kids’ interest in learning about how Native Americans used the plants,” she says.

This year’s field trip was coordinated by Master Gardener Ursula Paine, who volunteered at the event, along with Master Gardener Ankie Strohes.

Visit LakeWildernessArboretum.org, email info@lakewildernessarboretum.org or call 253- 293-5103 to volunteer or donate.