Group adds to wildlife in the Snoqualmie Valley
October 30, 2008
By Laura Geggel
Volunteers industriously removed batches of invasive Himalayan blackberry, Japanese knotweed, ivy and holly with Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust this summer. Now, the trust is calling for volunteers to plant native trees and shrubs where the invasive flora once reigned.
Volunteer Andrea Roy of Seattle plants a Douglas fir seedling at the Mountains to Sound Greenway tree planting kickoff at Lake Sammamish State Park Oct. 18.
“Restoring habitat there is pretty neat, especially with the elk population out there,” said Tor Bell MacIlroy, restoration program manager.
The trust is holding three planting days: Nov. 1 and 8 at the Three Forks Natural Area and Nov. 15 at Snoqualmie Point Park. Each session lasts from 9 a.m. — 3 p.m. As long as volunteers attend the mandatory safety briefing and planting orientation at 9 a.m. each day, they can leave whenever they please.
Volunteers will plant a mix of native trees and shrubs, including Douglas fir, Sitka spruce, western red cedar, hawthorn, salmon berries and snowberries.
Plants improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gases and erosion. The leafy greens also filter pollutants and benefit salmon by shading creeks and streams.
“Volunteers always have a great time coming out,” Bell MacIlroy said. “They enjoy planting trees.”
The Three Forks Natural Area, located in Meadowbrook Slough, boarders the three forks of the Snoqualmie River. The area serves as a habitat for black bears, elk, cougars, eagles, deer and river otter. Native plants will improve the environment for these animals.
Trust volunteers are battling Himalayan blackberries, which have invaded much of the area.
“There’s not much value for wildlife when there is only one species there,” Bell MacIlroy said. “We try to provide a range of different types of plants. That sort of mix supports the diversity of fish and wildlife. Some birds like to be up in trees and other like to be down on the ground.”
To reach Three Forks, take exit 27 off of I-90 and turn left on Meadowbrook Way Southeast. Turn right onto Southeast Park Street and look for Greenway event signs.
To reach the second project, Snoqualmie Point Park, turn right at exit 27 and follow the road to the top of the hill.
Volunteers at Snoqualmie Point Park will plant groundcover and plant trees on the park’s edges.
“It’s an area geared more toward being a landscape park,” Bell MacIlroy said.
The park had a number of funding sources, including the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust partnered with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the National Scenic Byways Program and the Washington State Legislature.
Bell MacIlroy invited volunteers of all ages to join their efforts.
“We see a lot of folks who are new to the area and know the importance of trees,” Bell MacIlroy said. “We’ve had 80-year-olds out volunteering and kids still in diapers toddling around following mom and dads as they plant trees.”
Volunteers should dress in layers and bring raingear, boots and a lunch. Gloves and trowels will be supplied, but people are encouraged to bring their own.
To volunteer, e-mail volunteer@mtsgreenway.org or call 206-812-0122. Volunteers under age 18 must have a signed waiver form to participate. The form can be downloaded at http://www.mtsgreenway.org/volunteer/downloads/Parent.Guardian.Permission.pdf. Adults must accompany children younger than 13-years-old.
Reach reporter Laura Geggel at 392-6434 .221 or lgeggel@snovalleystar.com.
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