Habitat restoration event helps Cedar River watershed ecology, popular fly fishing area

The non-profit group Friends of the Cedar River Watershed is organizing a unique, educational, fly fishing-themed habitat restoration event at King County’s Cavanaugh Pond Natural Area on Saturday, June 12.

From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., volunteers will remove invasive species that threaten habitat, thus allowing room for native vegetation to re-establish.

Many other activities will take place throughout the day, including an ecology presentation by King County aquatic scientist Ray Timm. Workshops will include fly fishing casting and fly tying demonstrations, plus aquatic insect identification sessions.

The goal is to engage community members in restoring and learning about the importance of our native ecosystem’s functions, while addressing threats to our local forests and waterways.

More than one million King County residents rely on the Cedar River watershed for clean drinking water, while its lands provide numerous recreational opportunities, including hiking, wildlife viewing and fishing.

At 44 acres in size Cavanaugh Pond Natural Area is managed by the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks and provides diverse fish and wildlife habitat, including riparian forests and wetlands. The area is noted for its abundant bird and wildlife populations, and is a favorite area for sockeye salmon spawning.

Volunteers interested in restoring this critical habitat and to participate in this event, or for more information about the Friends of the Cedar River Watershed, may contact us at nisa@cedarriver.org.

This project is a collaborative effort with King County Parks, REI, Emerald Water Anglers, and the Washington Fly Fishers Club.

For more information please contact: nisa@cedarriver.org.

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About Friends of the Cedar River Watershed:  Friends of the Cedar River Watershed is a non-profit organization inspiring conservation and protection of the Cedar River / Lake Washington watershed through restoration, education, and stewardship. The Friends focus on working with community volunteers to improve fish and wildlife habitat, educate river visitors and community members, and engage community groups and governments in water quality improvements.

King County Parks - Your Big Backyard - offers more than 25,000 acres of parks and natural lands, including such regional treasures as Marymoor Park and Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, 175 miles of regional trails and a world-class aquatic center. By cultivating strong relationships with non-profit, corporate and community partners, King County Parks enhances park amenities while reducing costs. Learn more at http://www.kingcounty.gov/parks/.