Land in Snoqualmie that is scheduled for clearing and development can still provide benefits to habitat elsewhere in King County – but only with volunteer help.
Join with other volunteers from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 1, digging up native trees and shrubs from land that is scheduled to be cleared for a school and housing development. Volunteers who dig for King County in the morning can dig plants for themselves from noon to 2 p.m.
Later that day, volunteers are needed to help pot up the salvaged plants for later planting at King County habitat restoration sites, where they will help reduce erosion, shade streams and provide habitat. Special thanks to the Snoqualmie Valley School District and the PulteGroup for providing the salvage site.
Directions to the salvage site:
· From I-90 take Exit 25 – State Route 18 West/Snoqualmie Parkway exit. Go north on Southeast Snoqualmie Parkway. In 1.2 miles, turn left onto Southeast Swenson Drive. Follow signs to site.· From State Route 202 (Southeast Fall City-Snoqualmie Road), go south on Southeast Snoqualmie Parkway and drive 2.5 miles to Southeast Swenson Drive. Turn right onto SE Swenson Drive. Follow signs to site.
Not a morning person? Volunteers are also needed at the County’s native plant holding facility to help pot up the salvaged plants from 1-4:30 p.m. Volunteers who help with potting can also have free native plants.
Directions to the native plant holding facility:
· From eastbound or westbound I-90 take exit 18 (Highland Drive) in Issaquah. Continue uphill onto Highland Drive and drive through several lights. Turn right onto Issaquah-Fall City Road. It becomes Duthie Hill Road.· From Southeast Redmond-Fall City Road go west on 292nd Ave. SE. It becomes Southeast Duthie Hill Road.· The facility is in Duthie Hill Park on the south side of the road at 27101 SE Duthie Hill Rd.· Drive through the “do not enter” signs to the nursery at the end of road.
A parent or guardian must accompany volunteers under 16 years old. Dress for the weather and be prepared to get dirty. Sturdy shoes or boots are recommended. King County will provide gloves, tools and light refreshments.
For more information or to sign up for either event, contact Cindy Young at 206-477-4859, or cindy.young@kingcounty.gov. To learn more about King County’s Native Plant Salvage Program, visit the website at http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/stewardship/volunteer/plant-salvage-program.aspx.
