Dig In to Fall Plantings
Throughout the hot months of summer, plans are laid for the planting of thousands of native trees and shrubs along local streams. During the cool, wet weather of fall and winter, these plants will have several months to establish their roots and adapt to their life out of pots before next spring’s growing season begins. So grab a friend, bring your family, or come as you are to help at any of the plantings described below.
Oct. 2, South Prairie Creek – Continued efforts to eradicate acres of knotweed from the District’s Bee Spit property near Orting mean there is more planting to be done! Nearly 500 native trees and shrubs will be installed along this important salmon tributary to the Carbon River. While you’re here, take a look at the previous plantings done in the fields and in the knotweed areas.
Oct. 9, tributary to the Carbon River – Part of a larger effort to keep farming viable in Pierce County, Stream Team joins with PCC Farmland Trust, Stewardship Partners, and the owners of Little Eorthe Farm to convert approximately 1,500 feet of stream bank near Orting from field to riparian buffer. A tour of the area, led by PCC Farmland Trust, is scheduled to immediately follow the planting.
Oct. 30, Ohop Creek – Last Halloween, over 70 volunteers helped with the first stage of plant restoration along a one-mile reconstruction of Ohop Creek near Eatonville. Work continued over the past year and culminated in the connection between the “old” channel and the newly realigned channel. Volunteers are needed to help plant more than 2 acres this fall.
Nov. 13, Mashel River – A string of successful salmon habitat projects along this tributary to the Nisqually River continued in 2010 with the construction of 11 engineered log jams near Eatonville. Planting of the construction areas around the log jams helps lay the groundwork for Mother Nature to create her own log jams for centuries to come.
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All plantings are scheduled from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and are subject to change. Please call the Stream Team office to register and receive directions to the planting site(s): (253) 845-2973 or streamteam@piercecountycd.org.
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Stream Monitoring Training
Are you interested in learning more about streams and water quality issues? Stream Team monitors provide an important service by being the “eyes and ears” of our local waterways. Water quality data collected by volunteers provides baseline information about a stream, and monitors are sometimes the first to note possible water quality problems.
To become a stream volunteer, register for the water quality monitoring training on October 16, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. For more information, contact the Stream Team office at (253) 845-2973 or by e-mail: isabelr@piercecountycd.org.
Donkey Creek Chum Fest
Harbor History Museum, Gig Harbor
Saturday, October 16, 10 a.m-5 p.m.
Stop by the Pierce Conservation District booth at the Gig Harbor Chum Fest. Cheer on the canoe and kayak racers as they jet around the harbor. Try your hand at fly fishing, paint a fish to imprint on a t-shirt, take an opportunity to learn about marine plants and animals, chow down on a tasty chum burger or hot dog, and learn how local fishermen and environmental groups are working together to improve water quality and fish stocks in Puget Sound.
Volunteer at the Puyallup Fair
Stream Team and Pierce Conservation District will be back at the Puyallup Fair in the Northwest Outdoors Building, surrounded by hands-on activities and other natural resource driven groups. The Puyallup Fair is our largest awareness event, and provides the opportunity to connect with people who may not know who we are, but are enthusiastic once they do. If you want to join us in connecting with the public, recruiting more volunteers, and educating fairgoers on what we do, please contact Melissa at melissab@piercecountycd.org or (253) 845-2973. The Puyallup Fair runs from September 10-26, and all shifts are in 3-hour increments on either Saturday or Sunday.
Curb Marking
Pierce County has two targeted curb marking locations remaining: Spanaway Lake and the Highway 512-Waller Road area. If interested in coordinating your own event, please contact Stream Team.
September is still a great time to curb mark. If you want to work to educate your neighborhood that only rain should go down a drain, please contact Melissa to check out a kit: melissab@piercecountycd.org or (253) 845-2973.
| Pierce Conservation District 5430 66th Avenue East P.O. Box 1057 Puyallup, WA 98371 Phone: (253) 845-9770 Key Peninsula: (253) 884-9474 Fax: (253) 845-4569 Toll Free: (866) 845-9485 E-mail: info@piercecountycd.org |
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