We have worked many a task at Stewardship Squad, from wielding the weed wrench, to hauling stones and of course weeding, planting and mulching. This time however, was our first for sheet-mulching on a large-scale. The native plants contend with hedge bindweed (Convolvulus sepium) and poison-hemlock (Conium maculata) at the riverside restoration site- the cardboard layer underneath the woodchips helps smother existing rhizomes, plants and seeds. This restoration project was begun by an interested employee at the adjacent BECU headquarters, who's employer supported the efforts and they grew! Other partners and the City of Tukwila are involved now. May we all be as inspired to better our surroundings. The Homeschool Stewardship Squad was happy to help. And glad for the steamy mulch piles on a chilly day.
Cheasty Greenspace native planting.
The kids had a terrific time planting natives, pulling ivy and playing (forts!) in the misty woods. A fellow homeschooler helped found a neighborhood stewardship group in their backyard, the Cheasty Greenspace near Beacon Hill. They have excellent long-range goals and many work parties under their belts.
Coal Creek Trail with WTA. Destroying a trail!
This was an exciting work party with the Washington Trails Association because we ruined a trail the first time! A portion of the Coal Creek Trail on Couger Mountain is often soggy, so this section was re-routed. We helped to transplant sword ferns / Polystichum munitum directly into the old trail so as to fill it back in. We had to leave a small path though, as the new section wasn't completely open and indeed trail-runners bobbed and weaved through the kids and the ferns as we worked. This was our first quite cold event for autumn 2013! A few headed out early and some had to warm their toes in their packs. Notable also were the very exciting truck rides up to the work site and brownies shared by another friendly WTA veteran volunteer!
Wetland planting with the Nature Consortium
Planting native wetland in the muddy parts of the lovely West Duwamish Greenbelt was good fun. After a brief intro on species and spacing, the kids especially enjoyed eyeing the mucky expanse to choose a suitable planting spot for their sedge (Carex sp.) and soft rush (Juncus effusus). Shovels in!
Trail work with the Washington Trails Association
Stewardship Squad is building steam, working out on the Evans Creek Preserve trail again with the Washington Trails Association. The children were very inspired to meet the legendary volunteer Pete who has over 1,000 work parties under his belt. There was much talk of working to earn their five-work-party hard hats with their name on it.
