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The Washington Native Plant Society Central Puget Sound Chapter has many volunteer opportunities that are rewarding and fun. Check out the following events and projects.
Central Puget Sound Chapter Activities
Earth Share of Washington Representative
First Monday on Tuesday Work Party WNPS Nursery
Field Trip Leaders for September
Represent WNPS at Outdoor Fest 2010
Fall Plant Sale Preparation at the Nursery
Final Plant Sale Preparations at the Nursery
Poster Designer--Graphic Skills
Plant Advisor for Fall Plant Sale
Volunteer with Other Groups
King County Noxious Weed Control Program
Magnuson Environmental Stewardship Association
Rare Care—Rare Plant Monitoring
Snohomish County Surface Water Management
South Woods Preservation Group
Stilly Snohomish Fisheries Enhancement Task Force
Washington State Parks Volunteer Stewards
To submit a request for volunteers, fill out the
Become an Earth Share Representative for WNPS
This is a fun and rewarding position which we’d like to fill with the right person. If you enjoy talking to people and would like to tell others about the Washington Native Plant Society you can make a big contribution to WNPS as our representative.
Washington Native Plant Society has been an Earth Share of Washington affiliate since 1990. Their mission is to support environmental groups that help create livable communities and a healthy planet. One of Earth Share’s greatest values to affiliates is its Work Place Giving Campaigns which generate unrestricted donations to environmental organizations affiliated with Earth Share. This provides much needed funding for organizational operations. Last year WNPS received over $13,000. It is like the United Way for environmental organizations.
What does an Earth Share Representative do? You would represent Washington Native Plant Society at Workplace Giving Campaigns that you choose to do. Earth Share arranges hundreds of events at workplaces, where member group representatives talk to employees about their organizations and staff information tables.
You might also serve on an Earth Share committee, attend the Annual Meeting on behalf of WNPS, and help WNPS maintain its good standing with Earth Share. Flexibility is the key with this volunteer position and it makes a big difference to WNPS.
If you’d just like to talk about being an Earth Share Representative for WNPS without obligating yourself, give Catherine a call 206-527-3210 or email wnps@wnps.org.
Sign-up Bonus!
Sign up to be WNPS’ Earth Share Representative by September 6th and join Catherine at:
Tuesday, September 7, from 6:30p-7:45p at Theo Chocolate’s Fremont Headquarters.
Come, sample chocolate, listen to colleagues who share some insights on attending campaign events, have the chance to win a prize, and connect with your fellow ESW representatives! Please invite the people in your organization that will be attending campaign events this fall; even if they haven’t spoken or tabled at a workplace event, this will be a great place for them to mingle with those of you who have.
Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2010; 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
WNPS Nursery, Magnuson Park, Seattle
The weeds have started to overtake our Nursery beds! We need volunteers to get them under control and groom the native plants. Contact Rick Thompson at 425 582-2477 or nursery@wnps.org.
Join the team of folks who put on the Fall Plant Sale. We need a volunteer to handle publicity for the Fall Plant Sale. Publicity contacts and tasks are well documented, so it should be easy to step into this position. All that is needed is some time and enthusiasm. To volunteer, contact Susan Dawson at LaPianta@aol.com.
Field trip leaders sought for September. Share an interesting plant or community with others. Help others delight in native plants or appreciate the changes in communities due to invasives. A weekend day is best. Half or full day trips work equally well. Contact Louise Kulzer at tatooshtakto@gmail.com or call 206-789-0153 to get your trip in the newsletter and on the website!
Saturday, Sept. 18, 2010; 10 AM - 5 PM
The Mountaineers, Magnuson Park, Seattle
We have been invited to be part of the Seattle Mountaineers Outdoor Fest on September 18th. We will have our Educational Booth at the event, and we will be talking to families about native plants. In addition, we are donating cedar seedlings from the Nursery as part of an educational activity for kids. The Mountaineers will be putting on climbing clinics--could be useful for reaching those hard to reach native species. Outdoor gear demonstrations, a backcountry cook-off, beer garden, and photography workshop will be available to volunteers who come to staff the WNPS Education Booth. Sign up with Jim Branson, pseudotsuga@gmail.com or 206 265-2804.
Sunday, Sept. 19 2010; 10 AM - 1 PM
WNPS Nursery, Magnuson Park, Seattle
We need to weed the pots, determine which plants need potsticks, and separate out the plants going to the Fall Plant Sale. There may be some Nursery maintenance tasks as well. Come dressed for the weather and bring gloves, water and a snack.
To volunteer and get directions, contact Susan Dawson at LaPianta@aol.com or Janka Hobbs at urtica@frontier.com. Or just show up.
Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2010; 7 PM - 9 PM
WNPS Office, Magnuson Park
Volunteers are needed for an evening of placing bulbs and seeds in packets, identifying the species, and pricing them. Usually there are great treats for volunteers, including a preview of what will be offered for sale at the Fall Seed, Bulb and Plant Sale.
To volunteer and get directions, contact Susan Dawson at LaPianta@aol.com or Janka Hobbs at urtica@frontier.com. Or just show up.
Sunday, Oct. 10, 2010; 10 AM - 1 PM
WNPS Nursery Magnuson Park, Seattle
We are down to the wire for the Fall Plant Sale! We need volunteers who can weed and groom the plants, set aside the plants that will be sold, and place potsticks. Dress for the weather and bring gloves, water and a snack and lots of enthusiasm.
To volunteer and get directions, contact Susan Dawson at LaPianta@aol.com or Janka Hobbs at urtica@frontier.com. Or just show up.
Put your graphic skills to work for the Fall Native Plant Sale. We need someone to design, print and supply plant sale posters to the Plant Sale Publicity Coordinator for distribution. Usually we need one large (18" x 24") laminated poster in color, and small versions of the same poster printed up for distribution. The Fall Sale takes place October 16, 2010. We need to have our color posters ready for outreach events the first week of September. We will provide examples of past artwork and guidance about the text and best place to have the printing done.
Your poster will get lots of exposure at fall fairs and on the CPS Chapter website.
If you can help with this, please contact a Fall Plant Sale CoChair: Susan Dawson, lapianta@aol.com or 425-432-3879; or Janka Hobbs, urtica@verizon.net or 425-869-2370.
Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010; 10 - 3 PM
We need a volunteer who is knowledgeable about native plants and who can advise people about the best plants to purchase for their gardens or sites. Native Plant Stewards or Growing Wild consultants would be great in this role. If you like helping people make decisions based on your knowledge, please contact Susan Dawson lapianta@aol.com
425-432-3879.
Madrona Woods is in need of volunteers to help carry out stream bank restoration. Work parties are scheduled once a month on the fourth Saturday of the month, except for July and August. Groups of volunteers can be scheduled on other dates that are convenient for the group. Contact Ann Bucher 206-323-8325 to sign up or get more information.
Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010; 9 AM - noon
Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010; 9 AM - noon
Kiwanis Park, 1405 10th St. W, Kirkland
Join the Friends of Kiwanis Park in restoring this Lake Washington treasure. Bring shears, clippers, shovels, gloves, energy, enthusiasm, friends and family. We will provide coffee and munchies.
To sign up and get directions, contact Carol Lee Power, 425 828-4220 or carolpower@verizon.net
For information on volunteer activities for IvyOUT please go to http://ivyout.org/volunteer.htm.
Wetland Plant Nursery
Friday, Sept. 10, KingCD Wetland Plant Nursery
Friday, Sept. 17, KingCD Wetland Plant Nursery
Friday, Oct. 8, KingCD Wetland Plant Nursery
Friday, Oct. 22, KingCD Wetland Plant Nursery
Saturday, Oct. 23, KingCD Wetland Plant Nursery
Volunteer work parties go from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. on an on-going basis.
SW Grady Way & Longacres Dr., Renton, WA
Learn about growing native plants for stream and wetland restoration projects while helping to perform critical nursery tasks. Activities include starting plants from seed, divisions, and transplants, or help maintain nursery stock by watering and weeding. We host 3-4 events per month, for dates and more information please email Adam Jackson, at volunteer@kingcd.org or go to our website http://www.kingcd.org/pro_vol.htm.
King CD will provide all the tools. To sign up, call 206-282-1908.
Directions: Heading North 405 from I-5 interchange: Take exit 1 (Tukwila- West Valley Highway). Turn a left at the end of the off-ramp onto Interurban Ave. Turn right at the first light onto Grady Way. Turn left (1st left) onto Longacres Drive (approximately 1/4 mile). The nursery is located on the left-hand side of Longacres Drive at the intersection of Longacres Drive and Grady Way. The nursery has a green chain link fence around it, a gravel driveway and is across the street from the Renton Wastewater Treatment Facility.
Heading South 405: Take exit #2A, (SR 167/Rainier Avenue South). Immediately merge into the far left lane and turn left onto Grady Way, heading west. Stay on Grady Way for approximately 1 mile until you pass Oakesdale Ave SW. Turn right onto Longacres Drive. The nursery is located on the left-hand side of Longacres Drive at the intersection of Longacres Drive and Grady Way. The nursery has a green chain link fence around it, a gravel driveway and is across the street from the Renton Wastewater Treatment Facility.
To find out about weed removal work parties in the Upper Snoqualmie, see the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust website at www.mtsgreenway.org.
To join a planting event, call Tina Miller, 206-296-2990 or e-mail her at tina.miller@kingcounty.gov to register and get directions. Planting events are from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Magnuson Park Promontory Point Habitat Enhancement
Sunday, Sept. 11, 2010; 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. (every second Sunday)
Thursday, Sept. 16, 2010; 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. (every third Thursday)
Magnuson Park Promontory Point
Rescue newly planted native plants from invasive species. Another chance to better the habitat. Come for an hour or more; every minute helps. Lots of fun work to do! We supply the tools and gloves. Please bring a lunch or snack and water.
Meet at the Education Pavilion; enter Magnuson Park at NE 65th St, drive east to boat launch parking lot. Turn right just past the new wetlands and look for the yellow “VOLUNTEER” banner and signs.
Contact Bonnie Miller at 206-524-8713 (H) or 206-227-2612 (C) or bmiller@serv.net.
Magnuson Park North Forest Remnant
Saturday, Sept. 18, 2010; 10 AM - 2 PM (every third Saturday)
Magnuson Park at NE 65th St. and Sportsfield Dr.
Maintain native plants in the woods at the North Forest Remnant. We supply the tools and gloves. Please bring a lunch or snack and water.
Meet at North Forest Remnant, NE 65th Street and Sportsfield Drive. Enter Magnuson Park at the 65th Street entrance and turn left at the bottom of the hill. Look for the signs!
Contact Tom Kelly at tpaulkelly@hotmail.com or Bonnie Miller at 206-524-8713 (H) or 206-227-2612 (C) or bmiller@serv.net
Native Plant Border at Magnuson Community Garden
Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010; 9 AM - 1 PM
Magnuson Community Garden, east of The Brig, next to the Dog Off Leash Area
Planting and maintaining the native plants in the Boarder of the Community Garden.
Contact Tom Kelly at tpaulkelly@hotmail.com or Bonnie Miller at bmiller@serv.net or 524-8713 for directions and information.
Help restore Seattle's largest remaining continguous forest. We have work parties 3 to 6 days a week, year round. Restoration activites may include invasive removal, mulching, site maintenance, and planting native trees, shrubs, and emergents. During our Saturday work parties, and for larger events, we hire musicians to come out and serenade our volunteers while they work.
Directions: We have more than one main work site, so please RSVP for specific dates, and we will send you directions to where we will be that day.
Volunteers must wear work clothes that can get dirty, long pants, and sturdy close-toed shoes. We work rain or shine, so please come prepared for the weather. We provide gloves, tools, and granola bars. Please bring a water bottle, and we will have jugs to refill it.
Contact Marisa Ordonia, 206-923-0853 or volunteer@naturec.org
There are many opportunities to volunteer to restore sites with People for Puget Sound. To see details about these events, check their events calendar at http://www.pugetsound.org/connect/events. You can learn more by contacting Dhira Brown at 206-382-7007 or restoration@pugetsound.org
Are you interested in an opportunity to contribute to the conservation of Washington’s rare plants and at the same time visit premier exa.m.ples of Washington’s native ecosystems? Volunteer as a rare plant monitor with Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservation and help collect valuable information on status of rare plant populations. Rare plant monitors visit known populations of rare plants all around the state to check and report on the condition of the population and its habitat.
For more information, visit our website at www.depts.washington.edu/rarecare or contact Rare Care at 206-616-0780 or at rarecare@u.washington.edu.
Every month Seattle Parks and Recreation offers lots of ways to get involved. Get in shape by joining a work party! For projects this month, check the website www.seattle.gov/parks/getinvolved.
Shadow Lake Bog Nature Preserve
21656 184th Ave. SE, Renton 98058-9719
Shadow Lake Bog will be the scene of the annual Frog Frolic on Saturday, Sept. 18th, 1 PM – 6 PM. Shadow needs volunteers who are knowledgeable about native plants, especially bog species, and can guide tours down the boardwalk at 2 PM, 3 PM, 4 PM and 5PM.
What’s in it for you? There will be a potluck, a silent auction, and live bluegrass music by the VZ Valley Boys.
If you want to help out, contact Mikhaila Gonzalez 425-432-4914 or info@shadowhabitat.org. To learn more about the Frog Frolic, check their website www.shadowhabitat.org.
Volunteers are needed for nursery tasks in Snohomish County. Help with bare root potting at the Native Plant Nursery on most Wednesdays and Fridays. Sign-up by e-mailing Anna Heckman a.heckman@co.snohomish.wa.us or contact Greg Dunster at (425) 508-6709 (cell), or 425-388-3464 ext. 4661.
For more information see the Surface Water Management Division Calendar of Upcoming Events.
Saturday, Sept. 18, 2010; 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
The third Saturday of every month —Come and join the fun! Help South Woods Preservation Group (SWPG) remove invasive plants from South Woods. There is plenty of ivy, holly and blackberry for everyone. For more information about SWPG, see http://savesouthwoods.org.
Bring tools if you have them, such as pruning shears, loppers, shovels, tarps. If you don't have tools, come anyway; we'll have some extras. Dress for the weather and don't forget your gloves, water bottles and lunch.
To sign up, contact Bettelinn Brown at 206-363-5517 or bettelinn@hotmail.com
Directions: From I-5 (Exit 175) go east toward Lake City on NE 145th St. one mile to 25th Ave NE. Turn left onto 25th Ave NE and go 0.3 mile to NE 153rd St. Turn left into Shorecrest High School parking lot.
For information, check http://stillysnofish.org/get_involved/upcoming_activities.html
Volunteers participate in a variety of herbarium activities including the mounting, accessioning, and shelving of plant specimens. This is a great chance to work with plants from throughout the Pacific Northwest (they are still interesting even when they are dried and flattened), and with others who share your interest in the flora of our region. No previous herbarium experience is necessary; we provide training. Also needed are volunteers with computer skills such as data entry and web page design. The Herbarium is located in the basement of Hitchcock Hall (Botany Building) on the UW Campus For more information go to http://depts.washington.edu/wtu/volunteers.htm.
Washington State Parks is looking for individuals who would like to become volunteer stewards for selected parks. Some of the possible parks include Mount Spokane, Riverside, Stea.m.boat Rock, Sun Lakes, Gingko/Wanapum, Dalles Mountain Ranch, Beacon Rock, Fort Columbia, Fort Canby, Leadbetter Peninsula, Moran, Deception Pass, and Larrabee. These parks all include stretches of natural area which need to be monitored and maintained. Individuals will be asked to commit at least two years.
For more information contact: Robert A. Fimbel, Washington State Parks, 7150 Cleanwater Lane, Olympia, WA 98504. Phone 360-902-8592 or e-mail robert.fimbel@parks.wa.gov. Robert can provide you with a Natural Resources Volunteer Steward Description, which details volunteer expectations and benefits for this position.
Ca.m.as (Camasia qua.m.ash)
© 2006 Ja.m.es Ellingboe