Wetlands

The Renaissance Garden pond (photo by Assistant Director Dr. Ross Bayton).

Northwest salamander and eggs images by  John D Clare

The Renaissance Garden pond (photo by Assistant Director Dr. Ross Bayton).

The “pond” near the Renaissance Garden at Heronswood in truth represents a severely interrupted drainage system that once flowed southward to Miller Lake and ultimately emptied into Port Gamble Bay. Without its original source of attached springs, the depression accepts seasonal flooding during winter but diminishes significantly during the dry summer months. Though altered, the wetland remains an important means of recharging our ground water, cleansing the water of excess nutrients while providing habitat for a wide array of creatures and wetland plants.

Many frog and salamander species breed only in isolated wetlands where there is less predation of their young by fish. This small pond is also important habitat for wetland birds. Mallards, Ring-necked Ducks and even Bufflehead frequent the pond for feeding during the winter and Great Blue Herons and Belted Kingfishers visit anytime water is present. Even River Otters venture into the pond on occasion.

Though they may dry up, our ephemeral ponds are key elements in the unique life that makes up the Pacific Northwest.