Fall Events Recap

Woodinville Montessori School

Dr.David Bain discussing water quality with students.

Woodinville Montessori School walked from school to North Creek Forest in early November to participate in a day of restoration and education.

Clearing out English ivy and Himalayan blackberries along the access path.

During the major part of their day, the students cleared a 200 foot access path to all areas of English ivy at the new restoration site. They removed garbage and invasive plants along the way, and lined the path with fallen tree branches. It was more than we were hoping for and it will make future restoration activities easier to carry out. Thank you Woodinville Montessori School!

Students took water samples to test the pH, phosphate, and nitrate levels of stream water that feeds directly into North Creek. In addition, they learned how to identify six trees by their bark, branches, and other characteristics.  

Water quality testing lesson.

Drawing out water to be tested.

Students observing their water tests in progress.

Eagle Scout Project

Installing the stair frames.

A member from Boy Scout Troop 420, Jacques LeBlanc, was looking for an Eagle Scout project and contacted us. We asked Jacques to make access to this year's restoration site easier and safer. The old access way was slippery and risked causing erosion.

Compressing the landscaping rock in place.

Led by Jacques, the members of the troop took their measurements and created a plan, sourced all materials, and completed the installation. They used landscape timber frames, rebar, and crushed rock to complete the project. Access to the restoration area is now pleasant and stable. Thank you Jacques LeBlanc and Boy Scout Troop 420!

Buckets of crushed rock ready for delivery.

Soundview International Baccalaureate School

Students compare tree branches. This is part of the tree identification lesson.

Soundview International Baccalaureate School returned to the forest on the first Friday of December. The weather was relatively nice for the students, with periodic rain in the morning that stopped just in time for lunch. It was also Soundview's first time working at the new restoration site. There was plenty to do!

Theresa Marshal and FNCF Member Carolyn Freese discuss the nature of trees.

The rest of the day was spent rescuing trees from English ivy, digging up Himalayan blackberries, and removing trash from the restoration site. Cutting English ivy away at head height and clearing it 3 feet away from the tree trunk forms a "ring of life" for the tree that will help it survive. If left uncontrolled, English ivy climbs a tree, creating a sail effect on trees that increases the chance of blow-downs during a storm. Thank you for a great day of work Soundview International Baccalaureate School!

The students learned to identify tree bark for three deciduous and three evergreen trees. They also studied the shape  of tree branches and type of foliage to get a bigger picture of what each tree looks like. Tree bark identification is a useful tool to identify trees because some of their other characteristics, like leaves, may not be visible during fall and winter.

Students cut English ivy off of a blown down tree. A combination if ivy and wind pull the trees down and help the ivy spread.

The two trees on the left have a "ring of life" around them. The ivy left on the trees will die.

State of Acquisition Funding

The Everett Herald visited us a few weeks ago and wrote an excellent article on what's next for North Creek Forest. Most of the information is in our previous publication in November. The full article is on the Everett Herald's website HERE. We also have a PDF copy available HERE for you if you can't access their website.

Closing Thoughts and Gratitude

We are grateful for grants from the  Tulalip Tribes and the Rose Foundation  Puget Sound Mitigation Fund, a grantmaking fund created by the Puget Soundkeeper Alliance. They enable us to carry out our stewardship programs.

We are also grateful to the Peach Foundation, whose generous grant allows us to expand our educational programs.

Lastly, we are grateful to the friends, families, and volunteers who all make our work possible.

May your new year be filled with wonder.
FNCF