Headquarter Relocation FAQs
Preparing for Our New Nest
Frequently Asked Questions about Our Headquarters Move
In preparation for the sale of our building and property on January 31, 2025, our current Nature Shop and Headquarters will be closing at the end of the day on Saturday, January 25, 2025. We are in the process of moving to a new location which we anticipate will be fully operational in summer of 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are you moving?
Our Headquarters Task Force, staff, and board are working to finalize the details of our new leased space. Once it has been formalized, we will be communicating these details to our community. Make sure you have signed up for our email list to be the first to know about our exciting new location.
Why did you decide to move?
You can read more about the decision to move from our former location in Wedgwood on our Finding Our New Nest FAQ.
How are you selecting your new location?
Birds Connect Seattle convened at Headquarters Task Force comprised of staff, board members, and community volunteers with the consultation of lawyers and real estate experts. This group is meeting regularly to develop criteria, evaluate specific properties, and analyze the results of community surveys and focus groups.
Will you pause programming during the move?
Birds Connect Seattle doesn’t expect any significant interruption in our education, science, or conservation programming during the transition between physical spaces.
We will be pausing the rental or borrowing of optics such as binoculars and scopes from January 13 until we are open and fully operational in our new space. This applies to loaners issued for repairs, BCS programs, or for fee-based rentals.
When will you reopen?
We are finalizing our new location and lease. We anticipate being fully operational and open to the public for retail shopping and programs in early summer 2025. Until we open our new space customers can shop for retail items via our online website for shipping and through our trial mobile nature center vehicle. Our conservation, education, science, and community outreach programs remain unaffected during our temporary building closure.
Where can I purchase retail items like bird seed and binoculars during the interim period?
Our new strategic plan, Spreading Our Wings, seeks to make our Nature Shop more accessible through relocation, so we plan to maintain easy access to our products and programs wherever we land next.
Online sales will be suspended begining Friday, January 24, 2025, and will resume for online orders and shipping on Friday, February 14, 2025.
During our interim closure period, begining in February, we will be trialing a mobile nature center concept where we bring our programming some retail items to prearranged locations around the greater Seattle area. See our calendar for specific dates, times, and locations.
What will happen to the native plant garden?
As part of the sale of our Wedgwood property at 8050 35th Ave NE, Birds Connect Seattle placed a legal conservation easement on the trees and native plant garden. This important piece of urban habitat will be protected. You can read more at: https://birdsconnectsea.org/2025/02/12/conservation-easement-for-trees-and-wildlife/
What is your mailing address?
We have an agreement with the new owner to retain our mailing address at our former Wedgwood property through March 31, 2025. If you would like to mail a donation or have other mail to send please use that address: Birds Connect Seattle, 8050 35th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115. We will announce the mailing address of our new location as soon as it is known and ready to accept mail.
What is your physical address?
During the interim closure period Birds Connect Seattle will not have a physical address. We will be operating remotely, as we did through much of the pandemic, with our items in storage until our new building is ready for us to occupy. While we will be retaining a mailing address in Wedgwood for business purposes through March 31, 2025, please do not visit this location for BCS program needs as it will be occupied by the new owner.
How can I reach BCS staff during the interim period
Please use our staff directory to find the appropriate staff member for your question or comment. Our staff will continue to have access to their BCS telephone numbers and emails during this time. Alternatively, you can leave a message on our Nature Shop voicemail and a staff member will return your call.
What if I find a dead or injured bird during your temporary closure?
For injured birds, please contact our local wildlife rehabilitator, PAWS, directly to transport the bird to their care or seek advice at (425) 412-4040.
For dead birds, we do not have access to a freezer space during the interim period. You may dispose of the bird in your garbage can, bury it, or contact the Burke Museum at (206) 543-7907 to arrange a drop off.
Where can I pick up items for programs?
If you are a volunteer or program participant that needs to pick up materials such as community science materials, education kits, or bird skins please coordinate directly with a staff member to arrange a suitable pick up and drop off date and time.
What do you need from us, the BCS community?
We are looking forward to resuming operations in the near future once our new space is ready for us. We appreciate your patience during this time and encourage your continued participation as a volunteer, member, or through our program activities throughout this interim closure. Keep an eye on your email for news on our grand opening and other ways to stay in touch and advocate for birds and conservation.