Wow, four-hundred might be a new Stewardship Squad record for the number of bare root plants potted up. We enjoyed very warm sun and a nice crowd at the King Conservation District's wetland plant nursery for planting red osier dogwood and salmonberry into pots for future-use in restoration projects. The kids checked the flooded beds for signs of their beloved tadpoles, but will have to come back in the spring for much activity. They worked so swiftly that they also had plenty of time for the usual tag, hide & seek and epic snacking- essential components of most activities. We look forward to using these plants out in the field at future work parties.
Big Native Planting in the Cheasty Greenspace, Beacon Hill.
Stewardship Squad always has a great time at Cheasty. It is satisfying to nourish a misty urban forest right next to Downtown with a big batch of homeschoolers. On this day, we planted native woodland (& edge) species in mulched areas that were perviously garbage heaps & head-high blackberry thickets- cedar, hemlock, sword fern, currant, mahonia, grand fir, vine maple & goat's beard. The Angeline Trailhead we worked at boasts a stately staircase & retaining wall made by a passionate stone-salvager who harvests vintage slabs off of historic buildings coming down around the city, for use in public park stone-works- what a gift to us all. Afterwards the kids had a big romp through the trail system, which the local community continues to develop admirably with the help of many donors and the Green Seattle Partnership.
Squak Lodge Trails: A New Park!
Squad greeted 2015 in a crystal-dripped moss palace. Veiled in mist, we trucked up Squak Mountain to hike into a new trail being constructed in King County's new nature park, Squak Lodge Trails. We first worked here back in September with the WA Trails Asscn, the site has an interesting former use. The kids took up the challenge of grading slopes and shoveling cut & fill, with the usual hardy sword ferns replanted along the sides. A beautiful afternoon.