Green River Noxious Tansy Seed Head Removal

We were treated to a beautiful warm day for our first autumn stewardship squad this year. The Green River in King County’s 922 acre O’Grady Natural Area was sparkling, which was gorgeous but made squinting for salmon challenging unless you had polarized lenses to reduce glare. Once we knew what to look for, we could spot rapidly darting shadows with the occasional silver flash; we think they were chum salmon–very satisfying to catch sight of!

King County lists two species– tansy ragwort / Jacobaea vulgaris and common tansy / Tanacetum vulgare as noxious. We saw large stands of common tansy and prioritized clipping seed-heads immediately adjacent to the river before the seeds could be wind-disbursed downstream. The seed-heads have to be thrown away in a trash bag rather than composted, to prevent spread. We also kept an eye out for noxious purple-flowering butterfly bush / Buddleja davidii.

While interesting to inspect fish anatomy close up, it was disappointing to find a butter wrapper and lemon rind next to a salmon head, in addition to ordinary litter. The gravel bar we worked on was a pretty spot to enjoy the river and to contemplate the water’s journey down into Elliot Bay, Downtown Seattle.

Green River Restoration & Hopeful Salmon-Viewing.

The Green River Natural Area at O'Grady has been a favourite spot for seeing pink/humpy salmon, whom spawn only in even-years. Unlike 2015 when the fish were incredibly thick, it was hard to spot them this year. Still the Green River (which turns into the Duwamish) is beautiful and offers visitors many pleasures, which the children in particular happily took advantage of.

We worked with King County Parks to dig blackberry and stinky-bob out of original restoration sites, seventeen years old, and towered over by native cottonwoods. A good portion of these original restoration plantings were swallowed up by the meandering, natural river, but such is the way in a riverine habitat.

It is a treat to be able to have the gate opened to drive down to the river during work parties- otherwise it is inaccessible to cars due to the winding mile-long one-way road. The horses out for trail rides were very fun to see. And even the drive itself, out to the outskirts of Enumclaw with lovely, with it's bucolic farm lands and view of Mt. Rainier.

Salmon rush-hour on the Green River.

Noxious Impatiens capensis / spotted jewelweed

The pink salmon were thick & busy, splashing in the sunlight over the shallow gravel beds in the Green River Natural Area at O'Grady- it was the most amazing display of spawning ferocity! We stayed out of the areas most densely populated and watched from the edge. They are also called humpies because the males have an arched dorsal ridge that rises out of the water. Also along the water was noxious but lovely Impatiens capensis / spotted jewelweed. 

Prior to exploring the river and viewing the salmon, we worked with King County Parks to maintain the trail system in the forest by removing rocks larger than a golf ball size. Many horses ride the miles of trails, as well as hikers and trail-runners. The salmon reach far into the forest up the streams, so we are looking forward to returning and helping to restore the forest further. Our little cedars from last spring are looking spry and lush despite the drought!

First of the Summer Swims, on the Green River.

The day was warm, the hike was long, the work was short and the river sparkled. Squad enjoyed many creature sightings in the O'Grady Natural Area including salmon fry/parr darting through the noxious reed canary grass, fresh elk scratchings (removing their antler velvet), a plethora of caddis fly larvae, stoneflies (see last pic), jumbo(!) banana slugs and many Oregon spotted millipedes- not to mention a bonanza of gorgeous salmonberries / Rubus spectabilis and luxuriant stinging nettles / Urtica dioica, which make for a painful picking affair, though the kids hardly minded. After rambling and eating, we reached our work site where a new section of trail is being completed. Our task was to remove rocks larger than a golf ball and chuck them into the woods! Quite fun. After which we cooled off in the Green River (AKA the Duwamish) which was low from the lack of snowmelt this year. King County manages the property as part of the 922-acre Green River Natural Area. Squad has worked at this lovely site on several occasions now, we look forward to further events and maybe even the chance to be invited to a PAWS release! 

Marah oreganus / coastal manroot is a native vine in the Cucurbitaceae, related to pumpkins, cukes, gourdes, etc.

Stonefly molt (one of many in their lifecycle) indicating good water quality. Here is an interesting article from King County on stream health indicators.

The Mighty River Wound its Way Below the Forest in the O'Grady Natural Area.

The Green River is an impressive sight, first your heartbeat quickens and then your breath slows as your body settle into its tiny position amongst the wide splendor.  This was our second time working with WTA in the O'Grady Natural Area outside Enumclaw and was just as gorgeous as the first.  King County now maintains the former farm and has connected-up the trail system, which receives use from equestrians, hikers, ramblers and trail runners.  It stays quiet down by the river because the trailhead is > 1mi (uphill) from it.  

We planted little cedar plugs on a quite steep hillside.  Many kids got stung by fresh juicy nettles and they boasted of who had the most.  We also improved a trail section by reducing the uphill grade to prevent erosion and conversely, graded the downhill side to allow for drainage.  

The friendly side river channel was very fun to play in (reportedly still a good depth in the summertime). In the fall, the spawning salmon are close-up and plentiful under the bridges.  We'll be back!

Claytonia siberica / Siberian springbeauty

Fawn bones.  Likely killed by a cougar.

Farm country on the way to the park.

Claytonia siberica / Siberian springbeauty

With their parent's permission, the children tried the taste of Polypodium glycyrrhiza / licorice fern that grows epiphytically, primarily on big leaf maples.  Actual licorice flavour comes from Glycyrrhiza glabra and is in the legume family.