Did you know more than 3,000 native plants grow in Washington’s rain forests, alpine regions, river valleys, deserts and backyards?

Native plant ecosystems are critical to sustaining the State’s wildlife, according to the Washington Native Plant Society, which is sponsoring Native Plant Appreciation Week, April 28-May 4.

To support the event, the King County Master Gardeners are holding a free talk and tour of the Arboretum’s Tribal Life Trail Sunday, April 28 starting at 2 pm.

Beverly A. Morrow’s presentation, “Taking Native Plants to Heart,” highlights selected native plants and gives suggestions on how to start a native plant garden, followed by a tour of the Trail given by Ankie Stroes and Nancy Lander.

“The Master Gardeners have responsibility for the Tribal Life Trail, which celebrates the ethnobotany of its native plants for food, ceremonial, medicinal, utilitarian and clothing usage,” Morrow said. “I am interested in the ways the First People of Cascadia used the plants to fulfill their cultural needs.”

Learn more about Native Place Appreciation Week at http://www.wnps.org/npaw- 2013/index.html.

The next event is the 42nd Annual Spring Plant Sale May 10-11. Vendors have until April 25 to hold a space. Reach Arboretum staff at info@lakewildernessarboretum.org or 253- 293-5103 to volunteer or donate.