King County grants will help local organizations protect and strengthen natural resources

2005 Archived News

Four local area organizations were awarded environmental stewardship grants ranging from $10,000 up to $50,000 this month for habitat restoration and natural resource conservation and education projects.

"It is clear from our current round of awardees that our grant program continues to empower our communities in protecting King County's natural heritage," said County Executive Ron Sims. "Whether eradicating noxious weeds in Lake Geneva or working on salmon recovery efforts along Issaquah Creek, these projects will enhance and improve the quality of life for residents throughout King County."

The 2005 Round One grant recipients are:

City of North Bend – Ribary Creek Restoration at Tollgate Farm, $35,000

This project, a partnership between the City of North Bend, the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust, and Ron Crouch, a local farmer, will restore habitat conditions along Ribary Creek on the publicly owned Tollgate Farm. The project includes fencing of at least 1000 feet of Ribary Creek to limit cattle access, removal of invasive weeds and planting of native trees and shrubs to restore riparian vegetation.

Heron Habitat Helpers – Kiwanis Wildlife Corridor, $10,000

This is the second phase of a project to convert a parcel of steep land near Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail tracks from an invasive non-native species dominated landscape to a restored native plant community. Vegetation restoration creates a better wildlife corridor (food and cover throughout the year) which is vital to the adjacent Kiwanis Ravine in Magnolia, home to Seattle's largest nesting colony of great blue herons.

Lake Geneva Property Owners Association – Lake Geneva Noxious Weed Removal Project, $17,000
This project will eradicate the noxious weeds in Lake Geneva, located east of Auburn, especially Eurasian water milfoil and non-native water lilies. Volunteers will monitor the lake for future infestations and educate the public on the ongoing needs for the health of Lake Geneva.

Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust – Issaquah Creek Restoration at Lake Sammamish State Park, $50,000

This project kicks off ecological restoration efforts along Issaquah Creek within Lake Sammamish State Park as part of ongoing salmon recovery efforts in the watershed. Specifically, this project seeks to restore several hundred feet of the creek bank and more than two acres of the riparian buffer by removing non-native, invasive Japanese knotweed and Himalayan blackberry and re-planting the site with native vegetation in an effort to restore habitat for both fish and wildlife.

Round 2 proposals are due on July 1, 2005. Applicants can ask for up to $50,000 to restore water-dependent habitats. Grants up to $15,000 are also available for environmental education and interpretation projects and grants up to $10,000 are available to restore native upland habitat. Projects can be located anywhere in King County and in Snohomish County watersheds draining into Lake Washington. Applicants can include schools, municipalities and community-based organizations.

Last year 54 grantees received funding for their innovative projects through the King County Exchange programs, totaling more than $1.3 million in award money. For more information, visit the Grant Exchange Web site at http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/pi/grants.htm or contact Ken Pritchard at 206-296-8265.