King County needs volunteers to help save native plants for future habitat restoration

March 7 native plant salvage in Maple Valley; Volunteers also needed at nursery

Instead of wasting native plants during land-clearing activities, King County’s Native Plant Salvage Program recruits volunteers to recover these valuable resources from areas that are slated for development, and then replant the rescued vegetation at restoration sites.

Once replanted, these rescued native plants get a new lease on life and, in turn, continue to enhance local habitats. The replanted native trees and shrubs help reduce erosion, restore and shade streams, wetlands and estuaries, and improve fish and wildlife habitats throughout King County.

Volunteers are needed for a day in the dirt on March 7 at a Maple Valley site that is slated for development. After spending the morning foraging the flora, volunteers are needed in the afternoon to pot these rescued native plants at the King County native plant holding facility near Sammamish.

Volunteers can get their hands dirty for a worthy environmental cause from 9 a.m. to noon at the salvage site or from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the native plant holding facility.

While volunteers who help pot the plants can take one home for their own garden, every volunteer who participates in the day’s activities will take home the knowledge that their work has helped King County with the important task of restoring streams and wetlands, and protecting native plants and animals.

Directions to the Maple Valley salvage site: From I-405 near Renton, take Highway 169 to Maple Valley. Drive past the Maple Valley Market and McDonalds in Maple Valley. Turn left on Southeast 240th Street. Turn left on 231st Avenue Southeast. Turn left on Southeast 239th Place. Turn left on Southeast 238th Street to arrive at the salvage site.

Directions to the Native Plant Holding Facility: From I-5 or I-405, take I-90 east to Highland Drive (exit 18) in Issaquah. Stay left on the off-ramp to continue onto Highland Drive through several lights. Turn right onto Issaquah–Fall City Road. Just past Endeavor Elementary School, stay straight onto Duthie Hill Road. The holding facility is located in Duthie Hill Park (on the right) at 27101 Duthie Hill Rd.

Gloves, tools and light refreshments will be provided. Volunteers are reminded to dress for the weather and be prepared to get dirty. Sturdy shoes or boots are recommended. A parent or guardian must accompany children under 16 years old.

For more information or to sign up for either event, please contact Cindy Young at 206-296-8065 or e-mail cindy.young@kingcounty.gov. To learn more about King County’s Native Plant Salvage Program, visit the Web site at http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/stewardship/volunteer/plant-salvage-program.aspx.

Related Information

Native Plant Salvage Program

King County Water and Land Resources