Nature calls: Help King County Parks plant vegetation, maintain backcountry trails

It takes a lot of effort to maintain King County Parks’ renowned parks, trails and natural areas, and citizens are invited to lend a hand this winter by participating in one of several upcoming volunteer work projects.

Volunteer crews will help Parks staff plant native vegetation to enhance stream corridors, forests and wetlands. The work improves wildlife habitat by providing shade and helping keep water cool and controlling runoff and erosion.

For more information, or to sign up for any of the planting events listed below, contact King County Parks and Trails Volunteer Coordinator Tina Miller, 206-296-2990, or tina.miller@kingcounty.gov.

Events are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., unless otherwise noted.

Dates and locations:

Saturday, Jan. 15 - 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Juanita Woodlands, Kirkland

Monday, Jan. 17
Sammamish Rowing Club at Marymoor Park – additional wetland restoration events are scheduled for Jan. 29, Feb. 12 and Feb. 26. Contact Rachel Maranto at 206-849-4406 to register.
Cavanaugh Pond, along the Cedar River

Other planting dates with King County Parks:

• Feb. 5 – Log Cabin Natural Area along Issaquah Creek
• Feb. 12 – Beaver Lake Natural Area in Enumclaw
• Feb. 26 – Lower Lions Natural Area along the Cedar River
• March 5 – Skyway Park – stream enhancement
• March 12 - Tolt-MacDonald Park – hedgerow planting
• March 19 – Marymoor Connector Trail – native trees and shrubs
• March 26  – Chinook Bend Natural Area along the Snoqualmie River

Backcountry trail projects – 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

• Jan. 4-8 and Jan. 11-15 – Grand Ridge Park
• Jan. 17–22 and Jan. 25-29 – Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park
• Feb. 1-5 and Feb. 8-12 – Taylor Mountain Forest
• Feb. 15 – 19 and Feb. 22-26 – Grand Ridge Park

Sign up with Washington Trails Association for any of these backcountry trail projects at www.wta.org, or call 206-965-8561.