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Carbon sequestration project needs help with tree planting, Jan. 30 at Island Center Forest

Planted trees will capture carbon, send nutrients to soil in unique experiment

A cutting-edge experiment to determine the value of compost and other organic matter in improving carbon-sequestration in soils is under way on Vashon Island, and volunteers are needed to help move this effort ahead.

A work party is set for Jan. 30 at Island Center Forest, where volunteers will help plant 1,100 native trees. The work site is adjacent the King County Solid Waste Transfer Station entrance, 18900 Westside Hwy SW, Vashon.  Volunteers should enter through the transfer station. Parking is limited, and carpooling is appreciated.

The Friends of Island Center Forest and King County, in partnership with the University of Washington, are leading a community demonstration project to study the use of compost and its ability to capture and store carbon, while rebuilding the fertility of degraded soils.

The study is under way at an old “borrow pit” in the forest, where topsoil and other materials have been excavated and a barren landscape with little ecological value currently exists.

By planting thousands of trees and using natural composting materials to promote their growth, researchers hope to improve soil conditions at the site, while at the same time capturing carbon in the organic material.

The work party is scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteers should expect to get dirty, and old clothes, work boots and work gloves are necessities. Gloves and shovels will be provided for those without – but bring your own, if you can.

The work will go on, rain or shine, so be prepared for inclement weather.

Snacks and refreshments will be provided, and participants under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. School and community groups are encouraged to participate, and reasonable accommodations can be made for people with disabilities.

To help King County plan for the amounts of tools and refreshments, interested volunteers should call Jo Sullivan, at 206-296-8361; or jo.sullivan@kingcounty.gov.

Related information

Biosolids

Island Center Forest

King County Department of Wastewater Treatment

King County Department of Water and Land Resources

King County Parks - Your Big Backyard