Fishtales - Spring 2006

The Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association

Squalicum work parties making tremendous headway
by Stephanie Williams

Restoration work parties continued on Squalicum Creek throughout the winter months with the help of dedicated volunteers. Though it is the ideal season for planting dormant native plants, winter can be a difficult time to motivate people to work outside. However, with mild winter weather and lots of community support, eight work parties took place on private properties along Squalicum Creek this winter! This valuable program is funded by a Centennial Clean Water Fund grant through the City of Bellingham.

Eagle Scout candidate, Jake Riley helped organize four work parties in December and January. Jake, his family and volunteers from the Scout Program removed 15 garbage bags of ivy and several large mounds of blackberries, and planted nearly 150 native plants on a property site along Squalicum Creek. All of this hard work amounted to 82 volunteer hours, thanks to the Scouts.

On December 29th, Vicky Walkinshaw and 27 volunteers from the Nooksack Valley High School Multicultural Club started restoration on another property site along Squalicum Creek. Students, teachers, and friends associated with Nooksack Valley High School and Nooksack Valley Middle School teamed up to chop down 30 feet of blackberries, haul out 660 pounds of garbage, and plant nearly 150 native trees and shrubs. A nice day and lots of enthusiasm brought the site closer to a sustainable riparian habitat. A smaller group from the Multicultural Club returned to the same property in February with Starbucks employees to earn money for schools in Nooksack Valley. A program set up by Starbucks Corporation donates up to $1000 to schools who generate 100 volunteer hours for a local non-profit organization. Kudos to this win-win program!

A strong partnership forged with Whatcom Community College biology teacher Doreen Dewell, enabled NSEA to start work on yet another property site along Squalicum Creek. Dewell gives students the opportunity to receive hands-on biology experience by scheduling volunteer work parties with NSEA. Students from Dewell’s classes have participated in five work parties since summer 2005.

Recently, students took part in two work parties performing tasks such as tearing out enough ivy to fill 20 garbage bags, removing large blackberry mounds, consolidating yard waste and installing three terraces. Thanks to Doreen Dewell and her enthusiastic students.

Spring is a great time to remove invasive species and plant native vegetation. If you would like to volunteer on a riparian restoration site on Squalicum Creek, join us on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month from 2-4 PM, call 360-715-0283 or email volunteer@n-sea.org for details.