Saturday, June 19, 2010, is Natural Areas Appreciation Day.
What better way to appreciate some of the most exquisite native ecosystems in Washington State than to improve a trail, help protect it from invasive plants, and take a tour. Help us celebrate our state’s natural areas on June 19. DNR staff will also guide work party volunteers on special tours of the natural area sites.
DNR manages this small but significant system of Natural Resource Conservation Areas (NRCA) and Natural Area Preserves (NAP) − 130,000 acres − to protect native ecosystems and the plant and animal species that depend on them. Many sites also provide access for education, research and low impact public use. NAPs include 35,361 acres at 53 sites (with the highest level of protection for native species and ecosystems). NRCAs consist of 94,479 acres at 29 sites, which protect ecosystems and unique natural features and provide limited low impact public use.
Here are opportunities and contacts for more information to sign up for a volunteer work party and tour of one of these unique sites:
All events are Saturday, June 19, 2010:
Camas Meadows NAP- Work Party and Wildflower Walk
What: This work party will clear small pines to improve habitat for the federally endangered Wenatchee Mountains Checker-mallow. After the work party, DNR biologists will guide a wildflower walk in this spectacular site with large open wildflower meadows dotted with quaking aspen groves.
When: Work party: 9 a.m. to noon. Wildflower walk: 1p.m. to 3 p.m.
What to bring: Bring gloves and a tool for clearing small pines (loppers, hand saw, hatchet etc), also bring a lunch and water.
Contact: Keyna Bugner (360) 925-0906, or Tony Sachet (509) 925-0940
Table Mountain NRCA Hike
What: This fairly strenuous hike up Table Mountain starts at Bonneville Hot Springs. We’ll do some trail clearing and other light trail work along the way. The 8-mile round trip has some very steep and rocky sections, but from the top, spectacular views of the Columbia Gorge and the Bonneville Landslide are well worth the climb. Come learn about rare plant communities on balds, and rare plant and animal species. With luck, we’ll see peregrine falcons that nest on the cliffs, other wildlife and wildflowers.
When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
What to bring: Bring sturdy hiking boots, loppers or handsaw, lunch and two quarts of water.
Contact: Carlo Abbruzzese (360) 575-5056
Mima Mounds NAP Hike
What: This short, easy 1-to-2 mile guided walk over relatively flat ground will be lead by Mima Mounds site stewards Cliff Snyder and Barry Bidwell. They will talk about some of the many theories on how these mysterious mounds were formed. They will point out wildflowers, butterflies and birds. Participants will get a full color 8-page Mima Mounds butterfly guide, and learn about efforts to protect these beautiful prairie and oak forest communities.
When: 9 a.m. to noon
What to bring: Bring walking shoes/hiking boots, binoculars, and a lunch and water if you plan to eat lunch on one of the picnic tables after the walk.
Contact: Carlo Abbruzzese (360) 575-5056
Mount Si NRCA
Little Si Trailhead— Invasive Plant Removal
What: This will be an invasive plant removal project sponsored by the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust. Volunteers will help eradicate Himalayan blackberry, scotch broom, and butterfly bush.
When: 9 a.m. to 3p.m. (volunteers can work a half day)
What to bring: Gloves, grubby clothes and a lunch. Tools will be provided. Information will be provided when you sign up at the website below.
Contact: Visit the Mountains to Sound Greenway website to sign up: http://mtsgreenway.org/volunteer/events.
Mount Si NRCA
Teneriffe Falls Trailhead – Trail work
What: This trail work party is sponsored by the Mountains-to-Sound Greenway Trust. Volunteers will help work on trail maintenance such as installing waterbars and drainage, surfacing and repairing trail tread.
When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (volunteers may work a half day, too)
What to bring: Gloves, grubby clothes and a lunch…and some water. Tools and some water will be provided. Further information will be provided when you sign up at the website below.
Contact: Visit the Mountains to Sound Greenway website to sign up: http://mtsgreenway.org/volunteer/events.
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