Thanks to our amazing volunteers that came out for Orca Recovery Day! Thanks to 24 dedicated volunteers, we were able to plant 417 native plants to help restore a tributary of Covington Creek.
Volunteers planted native trees and shrubs that will grow and help provide the stream with shade, reduce erosion, and help protect water quality. Both the tributary and Covington Creek are historic salmon supporting streams and improving water will help salmon, and more salmon means more food for our struggling Orca.
This event was just one of many throughout Puget Sound. If you weren’t able to make it out this year, look out for next year’s Orca Recovery Day and other volunteer opportunities!
The project took place on a property participating in CREP (Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program) that KCD helps facilitate for farmers in King County. CREP is a voluntary program designed to benefit both farms and fish. The program compensates farmers, through cost share and rental payments, for growing a different crop in streamside areas of their property – that crop is salmon habitat. Kristen, who owns the property, says “The entire CREP program is phenomenal and I’m baffled more people don’t take advantage of it.”
Species planted include Snowberry, Pacific Ninebark, Salmonberry, Nootka Rose, Western Red Cedar, and Pacific and Sitka willow, many of which will be available in the upcoming KCD Native Plant Sale!
Program Manager, Engagement
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.