King County Seeks Volunteers for Tree-Planting Events in the Snoqualmie Valley

2004 Archived News

Volunteers are invited to join in restoration projects along the Snoqualmie River on February 28th, March 6th, March 20th, and April 3rd. Native trees and shrubs will be planted at Oxbow Farm, Three Forks Natural Area, and Tolt MacDonald Park, important habitat areas for salmon and wildlife.

Oxbow Farm is the site of an innovative project to use farming techniques in habitat restoration. Invasive species have been removed and will be replaced by native trees and shrubs, and a cover crop was planted to improve soil conditions.

"We're trying to show that farming and protecting the environment and salmon can go hand in hand," explained Luke Woodward, farmer at Oxbow Farm. "And, the more habitat we have around our farm, the better our crops grow, too."

Oxbow Farm is an organic farm that supplies produce and other farm products to farmers' markets and through subscriptions to its Community Supported Agriculture program. It is named for the oxbow pond, connected to the Snoqualmie River, which provides excellent habitat for salmon, birds, and other wildlife.

Stewardship Partners, a non-profit organization, is working in partnership with King County at Oxbow Farm as part of a larger project to work with farmers and landowners on protecting habitat on working rural lands.

"We want to utilize farmer knowledge to grow things more effectively and efficiently," said Larry Nusbaum, Lower Snoqualmie Project Manager for Stewardship Partners. "Local farmers know the landscape, and what will grow where."

The other planting sites are public land: Tolt MacDonald Park in Carnation is in the heart of a prime salmon spawning stretch of the river; Three Forks is important habitat for trout, cougar, bear, and elk.

"Volunteers are the lifeblood of many of our restoration efforts," said Darryl Grigsby, Director of King County's Water and Land Resources Division. "Last year, over 5,000 volunteers planted nearly 26,000 native trees and shrubs with King County."

Event times and locations follow:

• February 28, 2004 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Oxbow Farm, between Duvall and Carnation
• March 6 and April 3, 2004, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Three Forks Natural Area, North Bend
• March 20, 2004, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Tolt MacDonald Park, Carnation

For all events:

• Wear old "work clothes" and rubber boots or heavy shoes. Plantings will occur rain or shine!
• Bring garden gloves if you have them; tools and gloves will be provided
• Pack a lunch and water. Light refreshments will be provided.
• Volunteers under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
• Disability accommodations: Upon request, reasonable accommodations are available. Please contact Elizabeth Loudon, 206-263-6014.

To participate in the Oxbow Farm planting, contact Elizabeth Loudon at 206-263-6014 or elizabeth.loudon@kingcounty.gov.

For other volunteer events, check our volunteer events Web site or contact Tina Miller at 206-296-2990 or tina.miller@kingcounty.gov.

These events are sponsored by the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, Stewardship Partners, King Conservation District, and the Community Salmon Fund.

To learn more about these and other volunteer opportunities with Department of Natural Resources and Parks, read the Dirt: Hands-On Volunteer Opportunities.