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

Feb. 7 native plant salvage at Redmond Ridge; 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 plants from areas that are slated for development, and then replants the rescued vegetation at restoration sites.

Once replanted, these 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 Feb. 7 at a site in the Redmond Ridge area that is slated for development. After spending the morning foraging in 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 can take plants home at the end of the day, every volunteer who participates in the day’s activities will take home the knowledge that their work has helped King County with the important job of restoring streams and wetlands, and protecting native plants and animals.

Directions to the Redmond Ridge salvage site: From I-405, I-5 or Hwy. 520: take eastbound 520 through Redmond and continue north onto Avondale Road. Turn right (east) onto Novelty Hill Road. Turn right (south) onto Redmond Ridge Drive Northeast. Turn left onto Northeast Market Place Drive. Watch for signs directing volunteers to the 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

Native Plant Guide

King County Water and Land Resources