Contact:
Carolyn Duncan, DNR, 206-296-8304

One-thousand volunteers make a difference ReLeafing the Sammamish

One thousand volunteers spent National Make a Difference Day at Sammamish ReLeaf, a massive effort to put trees and shrubs back on the banks of the Sammamish River. The volunteers planted 13,000 native trees and shrubs at four sites in Redmond, Woodinville and Bothell to improve water quality in the river for people and fish.

"It is inspiring to see so many people spend their Saturday helping save salmon and improving our quality of life in King County," said King County Executive Ron Sims. "As we look to the enormous chinook salmon recovery job we face in coming years, the Sammamish ReLeaf serves as an example of the power of partnerships we will need to succeed."

Sammamish ReLeaf is a $2.5 million public private partnership of proportions and results not seen before in fish habitat restoration. Previously, King County’s Mammouth Sammamish in 1994 was the largest volunteer restoration effort when 6,000 plants were planted by 1,200 volunteers.

King County coordinated the Sammamish ReLeaf that included the Sammamish Watershed Forum, the cities of Redmond, Woodinville and Bothell and the national nonprofit group American Forests. Major funding was provided by Eddie Bauer with additional support from ARCO.

American Forests is showcasing Sammamish ReLeaf as its premiere event for Global ReLeaf for the Puget Sound. American Forests is working nationwide to plant 20 million trees by the year 2000.

Sammamish ReLeaf is also a pilot project for the Sammamish Watershed Forum, and the elected leaders of cities in King and Snohomish that are within the natural watershed boundaries. The Forum makes recommendations to King County on environmental policies, programs and projects. Restoring a half-mile section of the Sammamish River was the Forum’s highest priority. Participating jurisdictions budgeted over $160,000 to restoring the riverbank.

"This huge turnout reaffirms my belief that all of us working together can make a difference in our environment today and as a legacy for tomorrow," said Rosemarie Ives, Redmond Mayor and Chair of the Sammamish Watershed Forum. "Restoring the banks

of the Sammamish has been part of our vision for seven years and it is great to know that so many people care about that the quality of life on the Eastside includes a healthy Sammamish River for salmon and people."

Sammamish ReLeaf plantings covered total of one-half mile of riverbank. The massive volunteer effort replaces trees and shrubs that were cleared from the riverbanks during the 1960s as part of flood control measures. Water quality in the Sammamish river have deteriorated since then.

Updated: October 26, 1998