Five years ago, Thornton Creek outside Jennifer Prekeges’ front door was clogged with reed canary grass. She used to plant her beloved petunias on the bank, but it was now overwhelmed with the six-foot-tall invasive species.
“I hated that dang grass,” Prekeges said. “It got to the point where I couldn’t do anything.”
Prekeges moved into her Shoreline home in 1990. When the invasive grass arrived, she learned it’s nearly impossible to dig up. Mowing is only a short-term solution. The grass is a problem in King County and beyond, choking out habitat critical for salmon and other wildlife.
After contacting King Conservation District in 2019, her creek has been transformed into what she considers “a magical little forest,” full of flourishing native plants. The bright red twigs of her dogwoods are surrounded by sword ferns and black twinberry, a native honeysuckle.
The plants are part of a KCD riparian project in partnership with Prekeges. KCD’s riparian team took care of design, install, and necessary permits. Prekeges was billed for only 10%, and she has since replicated the project on other parts of her creek.
“It was really nice to have expertise from KCD, to know what to plant where,” Prekeges said. “That, and the fact they did all the work.”
Native plants can effectively shade out invasive reed canary grass. They’re also the best way to boost salmon populations, protect water quality, and minimize erosion. KCD’s riparian projects are a benefit to everyone living in the watershed. Prekeges loves that her project draws in hummingbirds she can see from her living room.
“I absolutely recommend KCD,” Prekeges said. “I toot your guys’ horn all the time.”
Prekeges has taken advantage of other KCD resources too, like the district’s native plant sale and free stewardship trainings.
On a recent November day, Prekeges stood on the bridge in her yard and peered down the creek. Encapsulated by her tiny forest, Prekeges proclaimed it as her favorite spot in the yard: “it’s just magical.”
Article by KCD staff, Claudia Yaw
