Ongoing
Activities
Monthly Meetings
Botanical Workshops
Field Trips
Chapter Information
Membership
WNPS Home
Contact Information
Links
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
Nursery Monitors - Summer Watering
First Monday Nursery Work Party
TrailsFest - Educational Outreach
Native Plant Stewardship Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer with Other Groups
King Conservation District-Wetland Nursery
Magnuson Park Environmental Stewards
Rare Care - Rare Plant Monitoring
Snohomish County Surface Water Management
South Sound Area Kayakers--Pulling for the Natives
South Woods Preservation Group
Stewardship Partners--Rain Gardens
Washington State Parks Volunteer Stewards
To submit a request for volunteers, fill out the
June through September
Pick a week this summer to watch over the WNPS Nursery. We need one volunteer a week. Nursery monitors are expected to visit the WNPS Nursery two to three days during their volunteer week. The monitor's primary responsibility is to report irrigation system problems to the Nursery Manager or the Botanist. Volunteers may have to hand water some plants. You should expect to spend up to two hours per visit at the Nursery.
To sign up, contact Rick Thompson at 425 582-2477 or nursery@wnps.org.
We need a few members to help put together field trips for our Chapter. Responsibilities include coordinating leaders for locations and descriptions of trips, submitting trip descriptions to the newsletter, assisting leaders with general information (guidance about mileage payment, indemnity forms, WNPS membership registration, etc.). Hey, Look! Leading a field trip isn't even on the list of responsibilities!
Contact Brianne Cohen at hikaribri@gmail.com (preferred), or 206 465-5055.
Note: No First Monday work party in June.
Monday, July 6, 2009; Noon - 4 PM
WNPS Nursery, Magnuson Park
There will be plenty of weeding to do and the plants will need TLC over summer. Please come and put things in order. Bring gloves, your favorite weeding tool, and enthusiasm.We will provide snacks and direction.
To sign up, contact Rick Thompson at 425 582-2477 or nursery@wnps.org.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
We need a couple of knowledgeable WNPS members to tell hikers and other fairgoers about the native plants they may see along the trails. If you staff the WNPS Education Booth at this event, you will have a chance to try out different activities and learn about vendors who focus on hiking. It is a chance to share your knowledge and encourage more people to join WNPS. TrailsFest is held at Rattlesnake Lake, where the Visitor's Center is an exemplar of native plantings in an institutional setting, and it includes a green roof.
To volunteer, contact Jim Branson, pseudotsuga@gmail.com or 206-265-2804.
Saturday, June 27; and Saturday, July 25, 9 AM - Noon
1405 10th St. West, Kirkland 98033
Work has just begun for this season. Ivy and blackberry are sprouting and planted areas need maintenance. Bring your good energy, community spirit, water bottle, and any tools that might help, such as clippers, shovels, and gloves. Five-gallon buckets will be useful to bring and/or donate.Limited tools will be be provided by the Kirkland Parks Dept. Please wear clothes and closed shoes that you don't mind getting dirty. We will have cookies and coffee.
For questions and to sign up, please contact Carol Lee Power, carolpower@verizon.net or (425) 828-4220.
Driving Directions to Kiwanis Park from I-405 Southbound: take the NE 124th Street exit (exit 20) and turn right onto NE 124th Street. Turn left onto 100th Avenue NE which becomes 98th Avenue NE which becomes Market Street. Turn right off Market onto 16th Ave. W, then proceed down to 10th St W and turn left. End at 1405 10th Street W, Kirkland.
Driving Directions to Kiwanis Park from I-405 Northbound: take the NE 85th Street exit (exit 18) toward Kirkland and turn slight right onto NE 85th Street / WA-908 which becomes Central Way near the downtown area. At the end of Central Way turn right onto Market Street then left onto 16th Avenue W. Turn left onto 10th Street W. End at 1405 10th Street W, Kirkland.
Madrona Woods is in need of volunteers to help carry out streambank restoration. Work parties are scheduled once a month on the third Saturday. 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.
Watershed Park
4530 112th Ave. NE, Kirkland
Saturday, June 20, 2009; 9 a.m. - Noon
We will be removing invasive species and planting native plants. Wear work clothes, and bring gloves, rain gear, water bottle, clippers or pruning shears, lopping shears and a shovel if you have them.
Snacks and soda drinks provided. The Houghton Wildlife Habitat Team will provide information on backyard wildlife certification.
To volunteer, contact Sharon Rodman at greenkirkland@ci.kirkland.wa.us or 425 587-3305.
Driving Directions: From 520, take the 108th Ave. NE Exit. Merge onto 108th Ave. If coming from the west, merge onto 108th Ave. NE. If coming from the east, turn right onto 108th AVe NE. Go striaght on 108th Ave NE. Turn right/east on NE 53rd St after B.E.S.T. HIgh School. Turn right/south on 112th Ave NE. Park along 112th Ave near our booth.
From Kirkland: Drive south down 108th Ave NE past NW University. Turn left/east on NE 53rd St. Turn right/south on 112th Ave NE. Park along 112th Ave. near our booth/sign-in table.
For information on volunteer activities for IvyOUT please go to http://ivyout.org/volunteer.htm.
Volunteer work parties go from 9 AM – 1 PM, 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 me or go to our website http://www.kingcd.org/pro_vol.htm
King CD will provide all the tools and gloves. Volunteers should wear closed-toe shoes. To sign up, contact Adam Jackson, volunteer@kingcd.org, phone 425 282-1908.
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.
Volunteer opportunities at the Department of Natural Resources and Parks are listed on their calendar at http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/pi/calendar.htm.
Sponsor: Friends of Lincoln Park
First Saturday of every month
9 a.m. - noon.
We need volunteers to help us remove blackberry, ivy, clematis and other invasives, and plant natives in 80 acres of beautiful mature woods in Lincoln Park in West Seattle. We also need help maintaining areas that have already been cleared and planted. This is an ongoing project. Interested volunteers are wecome to take part in planning the work, selecting plants, or taking on a particular project. Lincoln Park has some of the highest level of native plant diversity in the City. It is a real gem with extensive woods and beach, along with ball fields and children's playgrounds.
Directions: Lincoln Park just north of the Vashon Ferry dock. Meet in the north parking lot on Fauntleroy Way SW at the kiosk just across from Rose Street.
Bring: Dress in layers with sturdy shoes/boots and good protection from blackberries. Bring gloves and your favorite tools (hand clippers are the major tool). We'll have mini-tillers, extra clippers and weed wrenches.
Sign Up: Contact Sharon Baker 206-935-1769 H; 206-464-1068 C; sbaker@u.washington.edu.
Magnuson Park North Forest Remnant
Third Saturday of every month, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Weed, mulch and generally maintain this area of the park.
The site is at the North Forest Remnant, NE 65th St and Sportsfield Drive. Look for the signs! We will supply tools and gloves. Please bring a lunch or snack and water.
To sign up, contact Tom Kelly at tpaulkelly@hotmail.com or
Bonnie Miller at 206 524-8713 or bmiller@serv.net
Magnuson Park Promontory Point Habitat Enhancement
Third Thursday of every month, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Another chance to improve the habitat. Come for an hour
or more. Every little bit helps.
Meet at the Education Pavilion. Enter at 65th St., drive east to the boat launch parking lot, look for yellow "Volunteer" banner and signs.
To sign up, contact Bonnie Miller at 206 524-8713 or bmiller@serv.net.
Every Saturday, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
The Nature Consortium hosts volunteer work parties year-round on almost every Saturday. Each work party begins with a short informal forest ecology workshop. During the fall and winter months we remove invasive species, mulch and plant native plants and trees in the West Duwamsih Greenbelt. Performing artists "play in the woods" during many of our work parties and include singers, instrumentalists and dancers.
Volunteers who come for 2 full work parties (8 hours) will receive a free Nature Consortium T-shirt.
Bring tools and gloves, a full refillable water bottle and lunch. We provide granola bars. Long pants and closed-toed shoes are required. Dress appropriately for weather and mud (i.e., synthetic materials and fleeces). We work rain or shine.
The locations vary and RSVP is required to attend. The directions are posted on www.naturec.org. To sign up and get directions, contact Alyssa or Amy, 206-923-0853. volunteer@naturec.org. Provide your name, address, phone number, email, age, and work prty date of interest.
Are you interested in an opportunity to contribute to the conservation of Washington’s rare plants and at the same time visit premier examples 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.
Volunteers are needed for nursery tasks in Snohomish County on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Help with bare root potting at the Native Plant Nursery on most Wednesdays and Fridays. Sign-up by e-mailing christopher.wright@snoco.org.
For more information see the Surface Water Management Division Calendar of Upcoming Events.
Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009; 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Mill Creek YMCA & North Creek Park
The YMCA is looking for a volunteer who is knowledgeable about Washington's flora and fauna to join their field trip to North Creek Park. The volunteer would share their knowledge of the surrounding area, plants, and animals, and if possible, bring along sample materials.
The YMCA is located in Everett at 13723 Puget Park Dr., Everett 98208; they will provide transportation to the park.
If you are interested in helping, contact Leslie Ray, 425 357-3038, or lray@ymca-snoco.org.
Saturday, June 20, 2009; 10 AM
Hope Island State Park
This event on Hope Island State Park will be focused on pulling tansy and thistle. They have already removed over a ton of these noxious weeds. There will be several escorted kayak launch sites and a State Parks motorboat to transport non-boaters from Arcadia Point to the island. South Sound Area Kayers will be proivde gloves, tools, snacks, drinks and free camping on June 19th and 20th.
To sign up, contact Gerry Hodge gnthodge@hotmail.com
Saturday, June 20, 2009; 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.
Rain Garden Installation Workshops
June 19-20: St Mary's Church, 620 20th Ave. S, Seattle, WA 98144
July 17-18: BF Day Elementary School, 3921 Linden Ave. N, Seattle 98103
July 25-26: Codiga Park, Tukwila, 12535 50th Pl. S, Seattle, WA 98178
August 1-2: Covington Library, 27100 164th Ave. SE, Covington 98042
August 8-9: Fairwood Library, 17009 140th Ave. SE, Renton 98058
Help Stewardship Partners build rain gardens on these dates at these locations. See the process from start to finish. This is a hands-on workshop where volunteers will learn all they need to design and install a rain garden at home. The workshops begin at 9:30 AM and go until 4:30 PM. Dress for weather and bring gloves, boots and your favorite tools. Stewardship Partners will provide refreshments and hand tools.
To sign up, contact Becky Abbey, ba@stewardshippartners.org or call 206 292-9875
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, Steamboat 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.
