The City of Issaquah is renowned for the salmon that return each year, but most of the salmon in Issaquah are threatened or endangered. Fortunately, volunteers are helping keep these famous fish alive and swimming by removing weeds and planting trees along Issaquah and Tibbetts Creeks.

Why do salmon need trees? The plants that grow along the bank of the creek play a critical role in determining the quality of the water they find.  Invasive weeds can exacerbate erosion, they provide little to no habitat for the bugs that salmon like to eat, and they don't keep the stream shady enough (warm water can be deadly for fish).  Native evergreen trees shade the creek well, native shrubs reduce erosion, and native plants are also important to other wildlife such as heron, osprey, deer, frogs, and a variety of songbirds. 

In spring and summer, volunteers remove aggressive invasive plants along several different urban stretches of Issaquah and Tibbetts Creeks. Volunteers may also spread mulch to keep those weeds from returning. The work typically includes digging with shovels or ripping up by hand a variety of invasive plants including blackberries, ivy, policeman's helmet, and tansy ragwort.  Each fall, returning as faithfully as the salmon, volunteers plant hundreds of trees and shrubs along the creeks.

It will take several years before the plant communities along the creek banks are healthy enough to sustain themselves. In the meantime, many volunteers are needed each month to make this restoration a success!  Events in 2008 will focus on invasive removal at six sites along Issaquah and Tibbett's creeks.   We look forward to another great year working with the City of Issaquah and local volunteers to help preserve that natural areas that help make this city so special!

There are a number of different project dates for each location this spring and summer so be sure to check the current event calendar to find the best day that works for you or your group and sign-up!  For more information, please contact the Volunteer program at 206-812-0122.