Given the increased pressure on the Fill, I'm making a plea to us as a
community of people who love nature:

Please stay on the gravel trails, and/or on the few unpaved trails that
birders have used for years. There are two:
? the trail that leads from the southeast corner of Shoveler Pond to
the northeast corner of the main pond
? the trail at the southwest corner of the loop trail that leads to the
slough.

In addition, there are very short trails that give access to overlooks:
? the very short trail that branches off from the loop trail down at
the point and allows access to the water at the point
? the very short trail that overlooks the lake just west of the curly
willow trail at the south end of the main pond
? the very short trails that lead to the southeast corner of the main
pond, and the extreme south of the main pond.

There are also a couple of trails on less-traveled parts of the Fill:
? the path leading to the little grove east of the greenhouses
? the path bordering the north edge of the northwest pond (near the
truck parking enclosure)
? the path along the tree line in the field south of the CUH building.

Please, if you possibly can, speak to people who go off-trail, and most
especially, to dog people who let their dogs off-leash. I know it can
be unpleasant to say something to someone breaking the rules, but if we
are silent, then it seems to me we are giving tacit permission to
people who at heart, I believe, can be brought to care just as much
about preserving this unique place as we do.

Finally, let me add that I have gone off-trail sometimes myself. I
think if it were only I and a few birders doing this, it wouldn't have
much impact. But I have seen lately that more and more people are doing
this, and it is having an impact. So I am committing myself to stay on
the paths so that I can set a good example for others. Therefore, if
you see me off-trail, please speak to me as well. Just say, "Connie,
Connie, Connie," and then, "uh, uh, uh." - Connie, Seattle

constancesidles at gmail.com