Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust Volunteer Events
M₂S: The Next Generation

July 22th - July 24th  ●  Stewards of Lake Sammamish  ● 9:00am-3:00pm

Formal Registration for the Stewards of Lake Sammamish is now closed.  However, we would love for you to still join us on one or more of these days!  If you are interested, please leave a message with your name, phone number and the day(s) you plan to attend on Margaret's work cell phone 206.724.5788. 

Welcome to Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust’s M₂S: The Next Generation 2008 summer program!  We have some fun and exciting projects lined up at Lake Sammamish State Park, and we can’t wait to meet you and get started.  Our records show that you have signed up for our Stewards of Lake Sammamish projects on July 22nd - July 24th.  Please note that these events run from 9:00:00 AM to 3:00:00 PM each day, and participants should come prepared for the day’s activities (see list below).  In order to ensure a safe and positive work event, we ask that you review the information below to ensure you come to the volunteer event properly prepared. 

Since safety is our top priority at the Greenway, the volunteer day will start at 9:00:00 AM sharp with a safety briefing and orientation.  You must attend this safety briefing in order to participate in the project, so please be on time!   We will be working until 3:00:00 PM, so come prepared to spend a full day outside.  If you have any questions, please contact us at volunteer@mtsgreenway.org.                                                                                                                              

 
Parents: If you child is not driving his or her self, please pick them up on time at the end of the project—no later than the listed end time, preferably earlier.  Additionally, the parent or guardian must be reachable by phone for the ENTIRE DAY and must be able to pick up the youth volunteer within a half hour of a phone call.  This is especially important in the case of an emergency.*

PROJECT INFORMATION:

Day 1, July 22^nd, Lake Sammamish Lakeshore
Lake Sammamish is important for several species of salmon, many birds and a wide variety of amphibians, insects and other wildlife.  The lake is fed by three creeks:  Issaquah, Tibbetts and Laughing Jacob's.  The work at this site will be along the lakeshore where we will be starting restoration to prepare the site for a major tree planting campaign in the fall.  We will mainly be removing invasive (non-native) weeds: the biggest problem in the area is blackberry.  This site is the entrance point for Salmon headed up the stream to spawn and for juveniles to return to Puget Sound.  Currently the area is extremely degraded by invasive weeds and high levels of foot and boat traffic in the area.  By restoring this area, we hope to improve the rates of survival for native salmon populations in addition to creating natural habitat for other native wildlife in the park!  More background information about projects in the Issaquah area can be found here:  http://www.mtsgreenway.org/volunteer/campaigns/issaquah-basin/  

Day 2, July 23^rd, MTS Nursery
The MTS Nursery is home to over 10,000 native trees and shrubs. The trees and shrubs that are potted at the nursery will grow for 1-2 years before being planted in parks and forests along I-90, providing many benefits to people and wildlife.  In order to keep all the recently planted trees healthy, we have a number of maintenance projects that need to be done- including weeding, watering, and some re-potting.  For more information about the history of the Mountains to Sound Nursery visit: http://www.mtsgreenway.org/volunteer/projects/restoration/mountains-to-sound-nursery  

Day 3, July 24^th, Tibbetts Creek and Wetland
Lake Sammamish is important for several species of salmon, many birds and a wide variety of amphibians, insects and other wildlife.  The lake is fed by three creeks:  Issaquah, Tibbetts and Laughing Jacob's.  Last winter, this site saw a huge planting project where volunteers planted more than one thousand native trees and shrubs.  This spring, removing invasive weeds that can overcome young plants is imperative for their survival.  More background information about projects in the Issaquah area can be found here:  http://www.mtsgreenway.org/volunteer/campaigns/issaquah-basin/

DIRECTIONS:

We will be meeting in the same location each day and walking to the various sites.  From I-90, take Exit 15. Follow signs for Lake Sammamish State Park, go north on 17th Ave NW(turn left if you are on eastbound I-90). Turn left onto NW Sammamish Rd. The main entrance to Lake Sammamish State Park will be on your right in about one half mile.  Drive down the main park road and take a left into the big lot by the picnic shelter; look for event signs and staff.
 

If you get lost or have questions on the day of the event, please call Jennie Zimburean, your volunteer event leader, at 206-604-2753.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Participants should be ready to be outdoors all day, learn, get dirty, and have fun! Pay special attention to the packing list below—even if it is nice out where you live, the weather can be very different at the project site. If you are interested in carpooling to the project site, contact the office for more information.  For other general questions, please visit our FAQ page: www.mtsgreenway.org/volunteer/faqs or contact us at volunteer@mtsgreenway.org. 

WHAT TO BRING/WEAR:

Volunteer events are only fun when it’s safe!  These items will help protect your body from injuries, cold, sunburn, bug bites, dehydration, fatigue and other hazards. 

In order to participate in a work event, volunteers are required to wear the following:

* Long pants (we’ll be working with tools, so no shorts!)
* Sturdy shoes (absolutely no sandals or canvas shoes!)
* Gloves (provided)

In addition, participants should bring the following:
* Layers, including a t-shirt and long sleeve shirt (no tank tops)
* Rain gear
* Big sack lunch
* At least one full water bottle
* Small daypack for lunch, extra layers, etc. 

 We'll provide tools, project materials, and some extra gloves and rain gear.

OUTLINE OF THE DAY:

The work party starts at 9:00:00 AM sharp with a safety briefing.  Please be on time, as we will not allow you to work if you are not present for the safety briefing!  Individuals are also required to sign a Greenway liability release before participating in events.

We will spend the day at the project site, so make sure to bring anything you might need with you.  Event leaders will provide you with all the information you need to do the project, so no experience is necessary!  We will take a noon lunch and we will wrap up work by mid-afternoon to provide you with enough time to get back to the parking area and sign out before 3:00:00 PM.  At the end of the day, we also provide refreshments as reward for all your hard work!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at volunteer@mtsgreenway.org or 206.812.0122.  Looking for other projects to get involved in?  Additional trail and restoration work events are available on our website, mtsgreenway.org/volunteer.

Thanks again for volunteering with us—we couldn't do this without you!

Jennie Zimburean
 

Volunteer Program Associate
Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust
206.812.0122
volunteer@mtsgreenway.org

GREENWAY BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

The Mountains to Sound Greenway connects great recreation, mountain scenery, local history and vibrant communities in a 100-mile landscape along Interstate 90. This corridor extends from the bike and pedestrian trails on the Seattle waterfront through the forests and rugged peaks of the Cascades and down to the edge of desert grasslands of Central Washington. The Greenway includes trails of all kinds, wildlife habitat, parks and camping areas, working farms and forests. These lands are set aside to sustain clean air and water and are a part of plans for urban development that keep green and open spaces accessible to all.

With the increasing population pressures in the greater Puget Sound region, this landscape could easily become a long strip of shopping malls, business parks, and housing developments. The Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust is the organization that works to protect this landscape, improve recreational opportunities and preserve forest lands to combat climate change.  For more information, please visit mtsgreenway.org.