King County offers volunteer opportunities on trail, environmental restoration projects

Interested in helping to protect local environmental resources, but not sure how to get involved? Beginning now and continuing through June, the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) offers various opportunities for citizens to participate in environmental preservation and restoration projects.

Currently, volunteers are needed to participate in building and refurbishing park hiking trails. Work parties are scheduled to meet Feb. 14-18, and Feb. 21-25 at King County's Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park near Newcastle. Meetings generally take place from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

"Healthy, accessible and safe trails are a critical piece of the effort to restore natural habitats throughout King County," said Tina Miller, DNRP Volunteer Coordinator. "Our trail work projects are also wonderful opportunities for hikers to learn more about the trails that are available."

Construction of a new trail at Grand Ridge to connect from I-90 to the Duthie Hill Road on the Sammamish Plateau is just one of the projects scheduled for this year. Trail work involves clearing vegetation and duff, installing drainage, leveling the trail to mineral soil and placing gravel where needed.

Trail work will continue through March with the restoration of Taylor Mountain Forest trails in Maple Valley.

King County partners with the Washington Trails Association on these trail projects. No prior experience is needed to participate in a volunteer work crew, and Miller said King County relies heavily on volunteers to help maintain trails.

"Volunteer trail-building and maintenance activities provide new recreation opportunities within communities and improves existing trails for year-round access," she said.

Additional volunteer opportunities are scheduled every Saturday through June, including projects restoring stream and wetland buffer habitat for fish and wildlife, improving water quality and growing native tree and plant species for future projects. Work parties generally meet from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Additional future volunteer events include:

Tree Potting
Volunteers are needed to pot an estimated 40,000 native trees and shrubs at the King County Greenhouse. This is a great activity for all ages.
Every Saturday, March 4 to June 10 - King County Greenhouse, Maple Valley

Native Tree and Shrub Planting
Feb. 11 - Log Cabin Natural Area near Issaquah Creek
March 25 - Oxbow Farm in Carnation near the Snoqualmie River

Maintaining Restoration Projects
Volunteers are needed to help ensure the healthy growth of recently planted native trees and shrubs. Activities include weeding out invasive species and removing blackberries.
March 25, April 22, May 27 and June 24 -- Red Town Meadow at Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park
March 4 and 11 - Sammamish "Releaf" Sites at Marymoor Park
April 22 (Earth Day) - Tolt-MacDonald Park in Carnation near the Snoqualmie River
April 29 - Metzler Park in Auburn near the Green River

Schools, businesses, community groups and other organizations that would like to volunteer at another time can call to arrange an event. More information is available by contacting Miller, 206-296-2990 or tina.miller@kingcounty.gov.