English ivy is an invasive species that kills forest ecosystems, replacing them with ivy monocultures. All through the Northwest ivy threatens the health of forests, as well as the wildlife that dwells in them. Be a part of a growing, region-wide effort to combat the spread of ivy and join us for an afternoon of ecological restoration work on Wednesday, march 10th from 1-5pm at the Red Square bus loop at Evergreen.

We'll be manually removing ivy and replanting with native tree, shrub, and fern species. Bring clothes you don't mind getting dirty, and dress for the weather. We'll provide tools, gloves, snacks, water, and plenty of ivy to pull! Contact: nativeplantsalvage@gmail.com , 867-2166

To get to restoration site you can take the 41 or 48 bus to the Evergreen Red Square stop and we'll be right there! You can also bike (good way to get warmed up for some ivy-pulling) or drive. Parking is $2 at Evergreen, so carpooling is a good idea!

This event is co-sponsered by the Evergreen Grounds Crew, WSU Native Plant Salvage, and the campus group ERC Environmental Rescource Center. 

The Native Plant Salvage Project is hosting an ecological restoration workparty this Friday, February 5, from 1-5pm at the Garfield Nature Trail. The trail/park is being overrun by english ivy but volunteers from the neighborhood and around town have been working to remove it and replant natives for many years. On friday we'll be manually removing ivy and other invasives and replanting native species of trees and shrubs. Please dress for weather and for mud. We will provide tools, gloves, snacks, and hot tea. If you want to come help out, send us an email at nativeplantsalvage@gmail.com.

The trail is on the westside of Olympia with entrances on Rogers st. NW and West Bay Drive. Here is a Google map of the trail (with the rogers st. entrance marked). We'll be working right at the West Bay Drive entrance, but there isn't any parking there so if you are driving I would recommend parking at the Rogers entrance then walking down the trail to the west bay side. If you are being dropped off however, there is a small pullout at the West bay entrance. If you are on bike, you can lock up at the West Bay Drive entrance. If you are on bus, the 45 goes past the Rogers entrance, or you can take the 41, 45, 47, 48, and 49 buses to the roundabout at Harrison and West Bay drive and walk about 10 bocks to the trailhead. 

ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION WORK PARTY IN THE GARFIELD NATURE TRAIL

Sunday May 3, 10am-1pm Join your neighbors and get your hands dirty pulling ivy and planting trees!

FOR MORE INFORMATION Contact: Justin Hellier, Coordinator, Tall Trees Youth Stewardship, at youthstewardship@gmail.com or 360.753.8922.

APPROPRIATE CLOTHING: Wear closed-toed shoes, and clothing that can get a little dirty. If rain is expected, wear clothing that can get wet. We’ll provide gloves.

FOOD & WATER: We will provide hearty, healthy snacks, as well as water. You should bring a water bottle. And if you know you get especially hungry, bring a lunch.

LOCATION: The Garfield Nature Trail is on Olympia’s Westside. More specific directions at http://www.ci.olympia.wa.us/cityservices/par/parks/GarfieldNature.htm Our work will take place in the eastern end of the park, next to West Bay Drive. Parking: There is no parking on the side of the park, however. Park on the Rogers side of the park, and then it’s a quick walk to where you’ll meet us. Intercity Transit: The trail is located on the #45 bus line, which goes between the Mall and the Downtown Transit Center.

I took some pictures of the FLOD today from Heritage Park (while I was there for Arlington NW.) Here they are:

Capitol Lake with Dead Salmon Amid Thick Weeds