Come join in tending the Schneider Creek Forest. I restore wild vegetation for foraging, teach watershed ecology and tell stories about bioregional restoration.
The sixty acres of the Schneider Creek Ravine is the largest and most biodiverse forest remnant in West Olympia–a quiet refuge of cedar, maple, Douglas-fir and hemlock, with a understory of ferns, bleeding heart, waterleaf, vanilla leaf, yew, and lilies, and a vibrant riparian corridor with skunk currant, snowberry, nettle, devil’s club, and a community of cutthroat trout. My community owns a portion of the ravine where I do restoration.
The ravine is cut into private lots but lacks stewardship. Ivy and holly encroach in the understory but the forest is still strong. The beaver colony once at the corner of Division and Harrison are gone and the watershed is cut, paved and drained. But the the land is eternally forgiving, and waiting for our friendship. I would like to develop a mutual-aid community to restore the West Bay/Schneider Creek Plateau, its waters, wetlands, soils, biomass and ecological diversity–amid a thriving human settlement rich with fruit and gardens. Through that work, and in partnership with rural strongholds I’d like to restore a regenerative bioregional culture.
There is always work to be done depending on the season. Meet at the end of Woodard Ave NW. I know the plants, and can tell stories about watershed ecology and bioregional restoration. I have 32 years of practical experience in horticulture, ecological sciences, and restoration in the Salish Sea. All ages welcome.
Click on the event title on the calendar below for details. PLEASE CHECK TO VERIFY THE DAY BEFORE A FIELD DAY! We work in varied weather but may avoid rain, and exploring may make you wet!