The Cedar River Watershed Education Center

The Cedar River Watershed Education Center sits above the shores of Rattlesnake Lake in the Cascade foothills, on the historic site of the old Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railway's Cedar Falls camp. Operated by Seattle Public Utilities, the Center serves as a gateway to the Cedar River Municipal Watershed, the source of drinking water for 70 percent of the 1.6 million people in the greater Seattle area. The Center is made up of five buildings connected by covered walkways topped with living roofs, designed by Seattle architects Jones & Jones with sustainable materials throughout — 98 percent of the wood used meets LEED standards for sustainable harvest, and the outdoor decking and benches are built from Smart Deck, a composite of recycled plastic and wood. In the Forest Court, native plantings tie the buildings into the surrounding forest, and a series of water drums — commissioned from artist Dan Corson through Seattle's 1% for Art program — release a rhythm of water droplets via a computerized irrigation system, audible from dawn to dusk. Inside, free hands-on exhibits trace the region's water cycle, forests, and wildlife for visitors of all ages, with groups of ten or more asked to reserve ahead.