Habitat Stewardship

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PRIVATE PROPERTY TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

The PCD Water Quality Program focuses on properties within the Chambers-Clover and Puyallup Watersheds. These areas include Tacoma, Fircrest, University Place, Lakewood, Puyallup and some surrounding areas in unincorporated Pierce County. We focus on streamside urban habitat areas. 

Any property can receive technical assistance that includes a site visit and restoration plan.  There is limited financial assistance available through PCD for habitat private property projects. Sometimes our partner jurisdictions can provide financial assistance for materials, spraying or crew time. This is dependent on the jurisdiction. In addition, there are Watershed Council small grants you may qualify for. All other costs are the responsibility of the property owner.  

To schedule a site visit from a Water Quality Program staff member, please fill out the form. We will be in contact to schedule a site visit. 

Site visit form

Contact Us

  1. Melissa Buckingham

    Water Quality Improvement Program Director
    melissab@piercecd.org
    Phone: (253) 325-8821
    More Information

HELP IMPROVE A RESTORATION SITE

If you want to help improve a restoration site Pierce Conservation District has completed in the past, consider becoming a Habitat Steward. Over the years we have planted dozens of sites, but with ever-present outside threats these sites need ongoing care into establishment.  Have a favorite planting you attended and want to reconnect with that space?  Inspired to help us with our highest priority sites?  

WE ARE LOOKING FOR YOU!

You will receive a valuable, FREE training in restoration and maintenance techniques, volunteer management, project implementation, and much more. Sites will be selected based on need and individual interest. 

Learn how YOU can create and restore wildlife habitat in Pierce County at our habitat steward training. No prior experience necessary, just the desire to get outdoors. 

It's simple to get involved!  Just request a training using our online form HERE.

Join us for a two 1.5hr virtual weekday trainings with a 3 hour training at one of our current Habitat Stewardship sites.  

We place you at a site where there is a need and is convenient for you.

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There are 4 different options available for becoming a Habitat Steward:

Solo Steward  

This option is a closed group geared towards folks who wish to work on their own, or with a friend or family member.  

Small Group Steward  

This steward is comfortable with leading a small group of recruited volunteers up to about 5  

Large Group Steward  

Steward is comfortable with leading large groups of up to 10 volunteers 


Current Habitat Stewardship Sites

Upon completion of our Habitat Stewardship Training, we will work with you to get you placed at a site that works best for you.

Dead Man's Pond, Puyallup

1605 23rd Ave SW 

Once home to the endangered Western Pond Turtle, Dead Mans Pond is a small jewel in Puyallup. The open space hosts an arboretum, native plant demonstration sites, and has a nice canopy cover. Site stewards are working to clear blackberry and other invasives from the under story and planting young evergreen trees as there has been a lack of tree regeneration. 

Thelma Gilmur Park, Fircrest 

The corner of Emerson St. & Evergreen Drive, Fircrest 

Thelma Gilmur Park is an undeveloped, 7-acre site made up of foot trails, interpretive signs, and one-of-a-kind lookouts around a diverse wetland ecosystem. The park was acquired by the City of Fircrest in 1975 which dedicated the space to Thelma Glimur herself on October 24, 1995 in response to her vigorous fight to preserve the land and prevent it from being developed upon. Once a sphagnum peat bog mining location, the park is now home to a wide variety of aquatic plant life which consists of reed grasses, cattails, and native willow, among others.  

Meeker Creek Open Space, Puyallup 

Register for exact address
Originally planted in 2015, this site has come a very long way in the last few years, cared for by PCD Habitat Stewards.  The site is currently in Phase 4 of restoration: Maintenance & Monitoring. 

Silver Creek, Puyallup 

926 12th Avenue SW 

The Silver Creek Habitat Stewardship Group is focusing on removing invasive plants, such as bedstraw, morning glory, Japanese knotweed, ivy and reed canary grass, and establishing native trees and shrubs, with a focus on native Oregon Oak and native flowering plant habitat (to benefit pollinating insects) 

Whittier Park, Fircrest 

901 Contra Costa Ave 

Whittier park sits next to the Leach Creek headwaters, which flows into Chambers Creek and then into Puget Sound.  Stewards are working to clear the understory of the headwater's forest of invasive blackberry and ivy to make way for future plantings.   

Pioneer Place II, Puyallup 

Register for Exact Address 

This 3-acre site is in Phase 2 of Restoration: Planting and Secondary Invasive Removal.  The project began in 2014, and needs some helping hands to continue restoration.  PCD's Habitat Steward hosts monthly work parties, please sign up using our online form, spots are limited due to COVID and go very quickly! 

Manorwood Park, Puyallup 

2207 Manorwood DriveThis 5 acre neighborhood park is located in the South Hill area in Puyallup.  Amenities include beautiful walking trails, and a big toy for kids.

Bradley Lake Park, Puyallup 

531 31st Avenue Southeast
Bradley Lake Park is one of three community parks owned and managed by the City of Puyallup. The park is 58 acres in size and located along the east side of 5th Street SE south of the Puyallup Downs wetland site. The park is located in the South Hill neighborhood and surrounded by low-density residential and commercial properties.  

Bradley Lake Park consists of a mosaic of conifer and deciduous forest, forested wetland, and buffer along the lake fringe.