New Restoration Project Takes Shape

Thanks to large groups of volunteers who came out on two recent Saturdays to help clean up and restore North Creek Forest, our newest restoration site is starting to take shape. Volunteers started by spreading mulch on muddy paths to allow easy and safe access to this year’s restoration site. 

  Once completed, they grabbed shovels and started to dig up Himalayan blackberry patches, as well as hand pulling English ivy vines. The blackberries were easily dug up because the roots smoothly slid out of the mud without much effort. A group of enthusiastic volunteers from UW-Bothell protected mature trees from encroaching ivy by cutting the vines off at chest height, and then clearing the remaining vines 3 feet away from the base of the trees. 

A car tire, carpet scraps, and miniature billiard balls were the highlights of the trash that volunteers took out of the forest.

Ivy-choked Tree - Before

Ivy-choked Tree - After

By the second event’s conclusion, volunteers had spread about 25 cubic yards of mulch, cleared 10 cubic yards worth of invasive plants, and saved 2 trees from the choking grip of ivy. All of this was completed within just 7 days – an amazing accomplishment for all involved!  Thanks very much again to every student, community member, and friend who volunteered in the forest these past two weekends, and to all of our donors whose generous contributions help us put on these events!

Our next work party is February 27, where we will continue to remove invasives from the site in preparation for a big tree planting work party on March 12, and an Earth Day celebration on April 23. We hope to see you soon!