On November 10, 2018 conservation districts across Puget Sound held concurrent events to educate, motivate and bring people together on projects to help our struggling orca population. KCD hosted a volunteer planting event on Vashon Island. We didn’t know what to expect on a wet and cool November day and were absolutely thrilled with the turnout! Over 35 volunteers, mostly from off-island, came out to help. Most had never heard of conservation districts before, including Girls Scouts Daisy/Brownie Troop 41706 from Auburn.
Vashon-Maury Island Trust partnered with KCD to do a planting on a 5-acre property stewarded and owned by the land trust along Judd Creek, which bisects one of Vashon Island’s two salmon-bearing creeks.
The motivated team of volunteers worked hard alongside KCD’s Washington Conservation Corp restoration crew to plant an astonishing 1,000 native trees and shrubs in just four hours. They were rewarded for their efforts with a giant pot of veggie chili offered up by a local neighbor, and that good feeling of working hard for a worthy cause.
Looking for more ways to help orcas? Check out 10 Actions You can Take to Save Orcas.
Program Manager, Engagement
O: 425-282-1955 – C: 425-773-1668
Mark joined KCD in the spring of 2018 as Outreach Coordinator. A transplant from Montana, Mark brings with him a decade of experience in conservation and land-use issues. After graduating from the University of Montana, Mark spent several years teaching natural history in and around Glacier National Park. He also completed two terms of service as an AmeriCorps Volunteer with the Montana Conservation Corps. Most recently, Mark channeled his passion for the outdoors working to engage communities on wildlife and conservation issues while working for the Montana Wildlife Federation. When not developing KCD’s outreach program, Mark can be found hiking in the mountains with his wife Tia and their dog River.