As we come to the end of the 2017 planting season, we wanted to share some stats that we’ve been given from our fantastic volunteer coordinators.
As part of the County’s 1 Million Trees initiative, King County Parks hosted volunteers for tree planting events this fall and winter on many of its properties. Planting a million trees by 2020 is a target action in King County’s 2015 Strategic Climate Action Plan.
By the numbers
Volunteers planted a total of 26,204 native trees and shrubs at 35 different King County Parks sites in 2017. This effort included planting 16,820 trees for the 1 Million Trees – Climate Change Initiative. This is an increase of 5,000 trees over the 2016 effort for this program. More than 1,200 individuals put in nearly 4,300 hours to make this happen.
Students rock
Students from Salmon Bay planted 34 trees and 193 shrubs in just one afternoon! Way to go Salmon Bay!
Snow won’t stop us
In two events that the Department of Natural Resources and Parks put on this fall for employees, we planted 268 trees. Check out this time-lapse video of the planting event when it snowed.
February 24 volunteer opportunity
We have another volunteer opportunity at Big Finn Hill Park on Saturday, Feb. 24 from 10a.m.-2p.m.. The project for the day is to plant native trees and shrubs in an area formerly filled with Himalayan blackberry.
Big Finn Hill Park is a 220-acre multi-use park. It is an active recreation site and a wooded urban oasis along Juanita Drive in Kirkland. With its variety of flora and terrain, visitors occasionally spot deer, owls, hawks and eagles.
What to expect
Event will begin with a discussion that includes information about King County Parks and Big Finn Hill Park in particular, why this work is important and tool use and safety. King County will supply work gloves, a jug of water, light snacks, all instruction and tools. Young people under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Any minors under the age of 18 attending the event without a parent or legal guardian must also bring a signed youth waiver in order to participate. Please plan to arrive on time for the start of the event and allow extra time to find parking.