Submitted by The City of Tumwater
During the month of June, a SoundCorps team will work together with City of Tumwater staff on a project in Tumwater’s DeSoto Canyon, a tributary to the Deschutes River. Workers will remove non-native and invasive species such as English ivy, Himalayan blackberry and Japanese knotweed to benefit the environment and protect water resources.
This Urban Forestry Restoration Project, administered by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Urban and Community Forestry Program, works to enhance the capacity of urban forests, manage stormwater, enhance air and water quality by improving the health of trees and forested sites in urban settings.
“DeSoto Canyon is severely overrun with ivy, impacting large maples, firs and cedar, and covering large areas of the forest floor, creating an ivy monoculture inhibiting the growth of beneficial native plants. Working in partnership with the team from DNR will help the City restore this area,” said Tumwater Mayor Pete Kmet.
These invasive non-native plants stress forested areas by competing for water and nutrients, and in some cases even killing trees. Many undesirable plants that grow in dense thickets also harbor rats and other vermin, creating a public safety hazard. Once the unwelcome plants are gone, the City will work to plant native vegetation in its place.
DNR’s Urban and Community Forestry Program is made possible through a partnership with the USDA Forest Service. SoundCorps is part of the broader Washington Conservation Corps program administered by Washington Dept. of Ecology. SoundCorps crews work on projects that help restore and protect water quality in Puget Sound. The Washington Conservation Corps is supported through grant funding and Education Awards provided by AmeriCorps.
For more information about the project, visit the project website, contact Micki McNaughton, (360) 902-1637, micki.mcnaughton@dnr.wa.gov, or call Dan Smith, City of Tumwater Water Resources Program Manager at (360) 754-4140.
