 Entering the forest Students from Soundview International Baccalaureate School walked to work today. We began with a walk to work so students could see their service in a greater context. (Photos by Alice Tsoodle)  The first question to consider, "Why is one side of the trail covered with one kind of forest (large conifer) and the other side covered with something different? (deciduous and Himalayan blackberry?) Answer: The conifer forest was logged in 1910. It has had time to recover. The deciduous forest is growing out of a place people more recently cut firewood. It is a newer forest. The leafy trees grow first. Blackberries need some sunlight and they quickly invade places like this.  Next thing to consider: "What do nettles look like?" Great setting for a quiz. Lots on nettles close by. They like disturbed soil.  The team arrives ready for work.  Carolyn Freese passes out the kid's sized gloves. Safety briefing: First responsibility: Don't get hurt. Second responsibility: Watch our for things that might hurt someone else. Tell someone. Now for the work...  Each year A UW-REN site begins with a trail into a wall of Himalayan blackberries to prepare for a UW student survey of their new site.  Today set the stage for UW-REN 2013 -2014.  We had to post this photo. Alice Tsoodle climbed into the blackberries to take it!  This is a blackberry root aka rhizome. They sometimes resemble a small sweet potato. If you don't dig them out the blackberries grow back.  The other invasive plant: Morning Glory.  This team removed a LOT of Morning Glory...  ....load after load of of Morning Glory!
 Thank you Dr. Castro and Students from Soundview International Baccalaureate School You broke ground on this years planned University of Washington Restoration Ecology Network site. It will look much different next spring. We appreciate your service to North Creek Forest!
Our level of stewardship is made possible by a grant from the Rose Foundation. Their support has enabled us to more than double our hours of restoration in the last 10 months. Thank you, FNCF
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 Simply stated: You have a choice. Fact: Bothell is the 3rd hottest housing market in Puget Sound. Land prices are soaring and may outpace our ability to win grants fast enough.  March 2013, a forest almost adjacent to North Creek Forest falls to housing. Fact: Grants to save the forest could expire before matching funds are raised. Fact: This will be the year that decides the fate of North Creek Forest. Fact: You can save it.  FNCF Volunteer Coordinator, Kent Parkinson, instructs Woodiville Montessori students on tree planting Please attend our "Into the Woods" educational and fundraising event.
If you cannot attend please donate on Pay Pal (above right) September 29th 2 PM Forest tours 3 PM Keynote speaker, UW Prof Amy Lambert 4 PM final forest tours 20212 108th Ave NE Bothell WA REGISTER HERE  ART On August 25th local artist A. Gaul Culley took center stage to begin an art sale fundraiser for Friends of North Creek Forest. "Hyper-Local" was the theme supported by Top Foods. The event featured local wines, local food, local business, art by Gaul and photos by UW Bothell students. COMMUNITY Support included the UW Office of Community Education and Research, Michaels Art Supply and, of course, Top Foods. It is not too late to see the art. It's worth the trip and you need to buy groceries anyway :) You just might find the art you have been looking for too.  Art by A. Gaul Culley, currently for sale a Top Foods Each of Culley's striking creations features a special native plant. Below each is a didactic beautifully explaining the plants healing properties. Gaul is donating 25% of the proceeds from sales to Friends of North Creek Forest . It supports our ongoing conservation of the forest, education and stewardship. A perfect combination Going to a movie? Get your groceries, have some dinner, view great art... better yet, make a purchase and then see your movie.... all within walking distance once you park.  UW Bothell student photo display Also featured, photos taken by UW Bothell students in Professor Amy Lambert's summer class on Art and Restoration.  Top Foods Manager, Jake Jacobson checks out the"Bee Table" Mason Bee nest building Visitors made over 50 of their own nest from dry Knotweed canes, an invasive species, removed from North Creek Forest. They also assembled flowers made from seed paper. When planted in the spring, they will produce a burst of native flowers favored by the bees. Kids and adults loved nest building! A special thank you to Top Foods Manager Jake Jacobson, A. Gaul Culley, Alice Tsoodle, Linda Cung, Teppei Sato, Ronnie Thibault and Megan Tanner for your great work.  SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH Proceeds from the above venue support student education, the conservation of North Creek Forest and restoration of areas harmed by invasive species and/or erosion. Right: Western redback salamander, "Plethodon vehiculum", found by Theresa Marshall. Photo by Adam Hess.  FNCF Amphibian Research Interns are working under a one year license from the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. Their goal is to determine the species diversity and range of amphibians, and to create a map depicting their findings. This is baseline research. It establishes habitat health which can be monitored through time. Left: Northern red-legged frog, "Rana aurora", found by Adam Hess, Photo from: Caitlin Ihler.  Ensatina salamander, "Ensatina escholtzii", found my Emily Mrowicki, Photo by Theresa Marshall. Your gifts enables us to support students who are getting a real world education within walking distance of their classroom. Your support enables us to make grant applications needed to save the rest of the forest. Your support helps this creature thrive by restoring damaged forest and creating maximum value wildlife habitat. Thank you! FNCF |
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