Duwamish River Restoration in Seattle's Industrial Center.

Squad was enthused to return to T-105 Park where we have tended an estuary restoration site for many years close to the heart of Downtown Seattle (see a few in previous posts). The fantastic non-profit, EarthCorps has a wonderful team of Sound Stewards who host our work in many hidden spots through out Puget Sound and its rivers.

This former superfund site is flourishing beautifully amidst the busy industry immediately surrounding it. After crossing the long habitat-rich channel, we focused our attention on two tasks. The first was targeting a weedy mustard species sprouting en masse amongst the native plants. The second was transplanting beach grass from one area in order to help it expand into another, along the shoreline. 

Being not far from the mouth of the river, the park has heavy tidal influence and the walk out required extra balancing across logs (splash!) or additionally walking the long way around.

Duwamish River Restoration at T-105 with EarthCorps- Bucket Brigade II

The kids cheered loudly when they heard they were going to form a bucket brigade again at T-105 Park.  We reviewed the importance of the river for salmon, and discussed challenges the restoration faces, including noxious weeds.  Noxious Populus alba / white poplar re-sprouts in full force all over the site, including from downed and decaying trunks!  (photo below)  The kids leapt into place and the buckets started flying as we continued sheet mulching the native plantings with cardboard and wood chips.  They derived a good deal of satisfaction from executing an important role in a fast operation; though I'm sure the spilled buckets, giggles and ridiculous traffic-jams had something to do with it.   Enjoyable as well, was meeting a slough (pun intended) of new EarthCorps leaders.

Bucket Brigade Sheet Mulching at T-105 on the Duwamish.

Brrrr….!  This was a chilly Squad, the kids were one-upping each other on the most layers worn.  It was impressive to see ice all the way up the restored slough-channel, in which the tide was quite high so we hiked around it, rather than crossing it to the restoration site.  We began with a short explanation of a watershed, in this case the Green-Duwamish Watershed.  (See your King County watershed here)  I wasn't so sure the kinds would find the coordinated discipline involved in a bucket-brigade enjoyable, but they had a blast!  Great idea Dhira.  Much mulch was dumped onto the cardboard we spread out for weed control.  A great time with EarthCops on the Duwamish River in the heart of Seattle. 

Fur ID…..?

mossy rose gall (click pic for link)