Cheasty Greenspace Planting & Ivy Pull.

We beat the upcoming flood & wind watch by just a few hours! The Cheasty Greenspace on Beacon Hill is part of a stunning 43 acre woodland right near the heart of downtown Seattle. It was warmly glowing with autumn color all around. Every once in awhile the breeze would stir, sending a batch of solemn leaves eerily fluttering down at an angle. The kids hunted for ivy that has regrown since the seven years ago when it was originally cleared by neighbors, spear-heading the creation of the large trail network and native plantings, now supported by the city and the Green Seattle Partnership, along with countless volunteer hours. After weeding, we planting a smattering of native plants and of course played in woods, climbed trees and found a remnant fort.

Cougar Mountain Autumn Trail Work With WTA.

Looks like a pale..... Amanita?

Now that Squad has been at it for four years, it is exciting when we have the chance to revisit a past stewardship site, tend our previous work or tackle a new task- and we got to do all three! The great folks at King County Parks and WTA led our project, consisting of opening deer-proof cages to weed and re-mulch the native Sitka spruce, grand fir, cedar and Douglas fir trees. In fact….. we just may have planted these trees over two years ago! This is Squad's third+ time at the fairly-new Sky Country Trailhead at Cougar Mt. which was opened with funds from a parks levy approved by voters.

The day was a lovely sunny one amidst a week finally bringing the wet fall weather. We saw many mushrooms and also dog's vomit slime mold (see below)! Autumn colors were out and the moss was thick and pretty above the mysterious old buildings- remnants of past missile testing. Another place to read more about the history of the park is in WTA's article on historic Cougar Mt. hikes from this trailhead. It is always inspiring to work with Pete, who has done over 1,500 work parties! He showed the kids is 50+ WTA saw. The kids, parents and (two!) grandparents worked so hard we finished early. We'll be back in November.

Carkeek Park in the mist- a big ivy pull!

It's hard to believe that the Homeschool Stewardship Squad has been around nearly four years now and this was our first time at Carkeek Park. It is also hard to believe that the marathon summer has come to an end but the misty work party and golden leaves proved it's true. The kids yanked, pulled and raked their little hearts out! We worked to rescue young trees, protect snags and generally reduce the biomass of noxious ivy / Hedera helix. Our hosts, the longtime Weekday Workers volunteer group, supported by the Green Seattle Partnership, will come back to dig roots in a long-term effort to eradicate it from the bed of native plants. It was fun to enjoy the Art in the Park installations, as well as the fish-slide and train. We look forward to returning!

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!

Discovery Park Summer Finale.

Squad had a large group and perfect weather to celebrate the final weeks of summer at Discovery Park with Forest Steward, Matt and his experienced daughter (off school for the teacher-strike). He initiated the blackberry-removal & native planting project on his own volition quite a number of years ago and is now supported in part by the Green Seattle Partnership. We split up into teams to scoop/haul wood chips, dig blackberry and build a stick base to pile the brambles on to ensure they wouldn't reach the ground and re-root.

We had a great mix of new and experienced folks working together to tackle the big jobs, the teamwork amongst the kids was fun to see. One intrepid young volunteer spent 45 minutes between the pines to dig a monster blackberry root mass. Seasoned stewards know that it is imperative to get the crown out or the canes will just grow back. They can be irregularly-shapen but you get a feel for it after awhile.

mossy rose gall

The little fledgling roses hosted a number of mossy rose galls caused by the rose gall wasp. Eggs are laid on the rose, when the larvae hatch and start to feed, their chewing chemically-induces the rose to produce further tissue which builds up into the shape of the gall, in which they overwinter. Very fascinating. Our native roses also host the spiny gall wasp. 

After working hard, we hiked down to the swimming beach at the lighthouse to enjoy the sand, surf and sun. We passed a dead seal, gathered seaweed & enjoyed Mt. Rainier above the sparkling water.