Greetings from the Nisqually Watershed!
We are excited to announce the first rain garden installations of the Stormwater & Salmon Habitat project in Eatonville, WA! The installation work parties for Eatonville High School’s two rain garden cells will be held on Friday May 9th and Saturday May 10th. All are welcome to join in, please help us spread the word far and wide. I’ve attached a flyer, feel free to share this e-mail and the flyer. We look forward to digging with you!
When? Where? What should I bring?
Eatonville High School – 302 Mashell Ave. N Eatonville, WA 98328
There will be signs directing volunteers from the EHS entrance to the worksite, which is located just outside the entrance to the EHS pool. We will be working from 10am to 6pm both Friday, May 9th and Saturday May 10th. You are welcome to join us at anytime!
We will have plenty of gloves and digging tools. Refreshing drinks and snacks will be provided under a 10’x10’ shade structure to keep everyone comfortable, hydrated and fueled. If you are going to spend the day with us please remember to bring a lunch.
If you have any further questions please contact James O’Keeffe at:
(253) 376-0199 or jrokeeffe@gmail.com.
Friday, May 9th from 10am to 6pm
– DIGGING AND SHAPING THE GARDENS –
We will work alongside a Washington Conservation Corps work crew to dig out the shape of the two rain gardens. During this phase, we will level the bottom of the gardens and grade the sides. Excess soil will be moved to a designated location. Once the digging is done we will fill in a special soil mixture of compost and native soils.
Saturday, May 10th from 10am to 6pm
– PLANTING!!! –
Saturday is our day to fill the rain gardens with the beautiful palette of plants chosen by our amazing student team. Volunteers will learn best practices for planting many different types of flowers and shrubs. This is an excellent opportunity to increase your knowledge of native and water-wise plants, leaders onsite are happy to answer questions and teach!
The Stormwater & Salmon Habitat Project
Over the last year we have been working with Eatonville High School students, Eatonville business owners and local community members to design low impact development projects that will help mitigate stormwater pollution in the Nisqually watershed. Each project is an opportunity to educate, learn new practical skills, build community and help create a healthier ecology
Our student team of volunteers – Hanna Bridgham, Josie Lamothe, Rachel Price, Kyanna Young, Aryana Warner, Maddie Gray, Kenny Johnson, Cassidy Forler and many more – has been hard at work, drawing up plans for two large rain gardens at the high school. They have also assisted with site assessments and project design at downtown businesses that will be installing low impact development features in the coming months. Special thanks to them for all their hard work and creative input!
Sincerely,
James O’Keeffe
Water Resources Associate
WSU Thurston County Extension