Vashon Island with WCC KCD

When we see the letters KCD, King County comes to mind but what's the D stand for? After spending some time with fellow Washington Conservation Corps members we find the true meaning of KCD, King Conservation District. It does irk them a little when people link KCD with the governmental entity of King County; King County government has nothing to do with the King Conservation District.  KCD serves landowners and residents of King County (within their district lines.)  Are they going to serve you a ticket if you are unlawfully using your land?  The answer is a straight up no.





KCD is actually a steward for our natural resources.  Is the water quality in the stream crossing your backyard polluted?  Are you losing the fight against blackberry, english ivy, and holy on your farm? How about your soil, is it healthy? KCD can help! And, those are only a few examples.  You can learn more by visiting their website at www.kingcd.org

Loading up wheelbarrows before heading to Vashon Island

Lots of wheelbarrows

 WCC, Issaquah DNR Ultimate High Five is lending our strength and power for the next two days in an effort to restore a private landowner's property from a blackberry and holy choked stream and incorporating native species in riparian and surrounding areas.  This enhances water and soil quality and creates a new habitat for wildlife.

 The property is located on Vashon Island, that translates to... a ferry ride!

By the time we arrived at the site, the blackberry was already taken care of.  A few holy plants remained tucked underneath trees and corners.  The solution is weed wrenches combined with WCC crews; a lethal combination for invasive plant species.

While a handful of crew members work on the holy the rest of us are planting and placing hundreds of plants.

With 11 crew member we finish planting before the day is over.  However that doesn't mean we sit on our butts and wait for time to fly, it means we start on our next task. Mulching.

 The picture above with Rachel and Luke does not do too much justice on the tricky path.  One has to roll down a hill with muddy holes along the way, navigate between the newly planted plants, cross a plywood bridge over the stream, and dodge any returning wheelbarrower.  That about sums up the first day.

Day 2

Leslie = Supervisor

Leslie is our supervisor.  Luke is out sick unfortunately. 

There's a two step mulching process.  The first step begins with cardboard cutouts; triangles or circles or squares, what ever shape you like, are punch out of the cardboard to fit the little plants in.  Step two pile on the mulch.

A creative stretcher used to carry sheets of cardboard

At the end of the day we are treated to coffee!  Thank you KCD.  

The two days on Vashon Island flew by super fast.  With 11 people the villains and heroes game is definitely a good way to warm up after lunch   We give you WCC KCD an ultimate high five.