Saturday Speaker Series — The Flora of Seattle in 1850: Major Species and Landscapes Prior to Urbanization
Sat, Oct 11
|Old Redmond Schoolhouse
Please note this is an in person program. A recording will be available following the event.
Time & Location
Oct 11, 2025, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Old Redmond Schoolhouse, 16600 NE 80th St, Redmond, WA 98052, USA
About the Event
The presentation will discuss the plant species and landscapes of Seattle as they existed before permanent Euro-American settlement in 1850. Ray will share the results of his master’s thesis research into how Seattle and the greater Seattle area looked in terms of landscape character and the common plant species people would have encountered before urban development. Using historical records such as surveyors notes, herbarium records, settlers accounts, indigenous place names, vegetation surveys and photos, Ray will take us on a tour of Seattle and how these resources can be applied to other communities in Western Washington.
Speaker Bio:
Ray Larson was born and raised in Seattle. Although he earned bachelor’s degrees in economics and history (with a minor in art), his lifelong interest in gardening led him to employment at the University of Washington’s Center for Urban Horticulture while still an undergraduate. He earned his Master of Science in…