The Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center provides a grand entrance to the Mercer Slough Nature Park. Completed in 2008, the complex features classrooms, a visitor center, a community building and a "tree house," all sustainably built. The City of Bellevue and Pacific Science Center offer year-round education about wetlands and nature for adults, youth and families at the center.
Preregistration IS required for all ranger programs.
Interested in the environment? Become a Bellevue Naturalist!
Programs
- Canoe Trips: View details about our ranger-led canoe trips!
- Natural Resource Programs guide: View a list of available programs offered at our environmental centers! A new program guide will be posted for MSEEC, Lewis Creek Park Visitor Center and Lake Hills Greenbelt Ranger Station each season.
- Park Scavenger Hunt: Explore the park with your family!
- Kids can earn a Junior Ranger Badge! Are you looking for a fun and engaging way to inspire your children to connect with nature? There are more than 15 activities you and your child can do together to explore and learn about Bellevue's natural areas.
Partnership
The city's collaboration with the Pacific Science Center brings year-round education and interpretation of freshwater ecosystems, wetland ecology, environmental stewardship and the effect of urban development to adults, youth and families. MSEEC is the keystone of interpretive facilities and programs for Bellevue and serves as the Eastside focal point for the Pacific Science Center.
For more information about Pacific Science Center programs, please call 425-450-0207 or visit the Pacific Science Center.
Green Building Features
The MSEEC was designed and built to have minimal impact on the environment. Special gutters, porous concrete and catchment ponds slow and filter water runoff at the site. Green roofs reduce impermeable surfaces and warming around buildings. Renewable, recycled, local materials, along with sustainably harvested wood were used in the construction of the buildings.
The city has received a gold LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating. LEED is a third-party certification program developed by the U.S. Green Building Council and is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings (news release).
Additional Resources
Douglas Fir Community Building
Construction Information
Rental Information
Mercer Slough Nature Park Trail Map
From I-405
- Take Exit 12 for SE 8th Street
- Travel west on Southeast Eighth Street
- Take immediate left onto 118th Avenue Southeast, heading south
- Travel about a half mile
- Just before the first MSEEC sign (in light blue), take the first right into the parking lot.
- Walk the path to the front of the buildings.
From I-90
- Take Exit 9 for Bellevue Way. Continue for one mile.
- Veer right onto 112th Avenue Southeast.
- Take a right onto Southeast Eighth Street.
- Take a right onto 118th Avenue Southeast.
- Travel about a half mile.
- Just before the first MSEEC sign (in light blue), take the first right into the parking lot.
- Walk the path to the front of the buildings.
In the event of inclement weather, Bellevue Parks & Community Services will make every effort to clearly communicate the status of facilities and programs, special events, and rentals. The department will make an operational decision based upon the safety of participants and employees and the ability to appropriately staff programs and facilities.
Facility operating hours may vary, and those facilities not able to operate at full capacity may be open for drop-in activities on a modified schedule. Call the facility to confirm operating hours. If you are unable to reach the facility, then call the Parks & Community Services Department general information line at 425-452-6885 or visit the Parks homepage.
Inclement weather can affect park use and trail conditions. Please use caution when visiting park sites during poor weather as trails and other park facilities may become wet and slippery. Park trails may also be closed.