With Mt. Rainier standing impressively in the background, volunteers from Brooks Sports, Nikwax, Filson, Patagonia, Teva, Outdoor Research, Cascade Designs and Stanley, a brand of PMI arrived at the Seward Park Amphitheater on a beautiful morning in Seattle.
Seward Park is an urban gem with over 300 acres of forest, including 120 acres of old growth, providing habitat to a variety of species including a resident bald eagle who swooped by us as if on cue during our morning welcome.
Our project partner, Forterra is working in cooperation with Green Seattle Partnership with a shared goal of restoring and maintaining 2,500 acres of forested parklands by 2025–the largest urban forest restoration project in the nation.
Katie Cava, Outreach Associate at Forterra, discussed the importance of keeping the forest healthy explaining that many of Seattle's trees are nearing the end of their natural lives. At the same time, invasive plants are choking out the seedlings that would replace today's forest. English Ivy and Himalayan Blackberry have been identified as particular threats with their aggressive growth. Our 90+ volunteers were put to work focused on the removal of these invasive species.
Pulaskis and shovels were soon swinging and digging, with cheerful smiles and plentiful sunshine.
The Volunteer Fair featured our project partners from Forterra as well as the Green Seattle Partnership, Nature Consortium, Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, Washington Trails Alliance and Conservation Northwest.
Though every Backyard Collective provides its own variety of delight, it was especially noticeable that our Seattle volunteers were a rock star bunch! Thanks to all for an outstanding day!
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