4/21/08

Posted by Keeley O'Connell, (360) 336-1931

We had 70 folks brave the 5-7 inches of snow in Everett to attend Earth Day at Union Slough yesterday.  Groups from REI in Alderwood, Stock Pot soups in Everett, and Everett Boeing joined us, as well as several Sound Stewards and some general volunteers. 

Volunteers cleared scotch broom and blackberry from an estimated 24,000 sq ft of riparian zone, uncovered several hidden native shrubs and trees and mulched them.  Everyone loved using the weed wrenches, of course, and we had a Gator 4x4 cruising the site delivering mulch and offering folks rides the 1/2 mile back to the refreshment stand and restroom. 

It was really cold, and we were graced with rain, sleet, snow and several sun breaks throughout the day.  We had one strong, wet gale during lunch where volunteers hid out in their cars.  I figured that was the end of it...but no, around 50 folks stuck it out to the bitter end at 2 pm!

A terrific event, and I can't wait to show it off the the Port of Everett staff making a site visit on Wednesday to discuss using goats at the site to clear scotch broom.