It’s officially tree planting season! NREP is partnering with the Nisqually Land Trust, and the Nisqually Tribe to plant over 4,000 native trees and shrubs in riparian habitats. Riparian zones are the areas that border rivers and play a vital role in salmon recovery. A healthy riparian zone is rich with biodiversity and will have plenty of plant and animal species to provide shelter, shade, and food for salmon. With the help of our incredible volunteers, we have almost finished restoring an old berry farm into a native riparian habitat, and are currently working on planting native species on the Lackamas Flats protected area. We are always looking for more volunteers so grab your family, friends, or come solo for a fun and worthwhile opportunity! Follow this link to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lackamas-flats-planting-with-nisqually-river-education-project-registration-185040279457
Volunteers listening to Courtney from the
Nisqually Land Trust give a demonstration on tree planting
Restoring native riparian habitats is not only a great way to brush up on your plant identification, it can also be a way to connect with the environment and learn more about how natural systems function. During our planting events, volunteers work with a variety of species and learn how these plants benefit the environment. Fruit bearing shrubs like twinberry, serviceberry, and red flowering currant provide food for small mammals, birds, and insects, while other plants like snowberry and vine maple make for great shelter. Big trees like douglas firs and western red cedar provide necessary shade and natural logjams in which salmon can find much needed rest of their journey up and down the river. Native riparian zones are not only good for salmon, they’re good for humans too! Healthy riparian zones help prevent flood damage by minimizing erosion and providing adequate floodplains for the water to flow into. Learn more about what it takes to protect riparian habitats and join us at Lackamas Flats between now and November 18th. We hope to see you there!
Students from a local school planting native shrubs
