The first salmon of the season on Miller Creek was sighted last Saturday at the Cove in Normandy Park, and stream steward Dennis Clark is putting the call out for volunteers this Saturday (Oct. 17th) to “help create a more healthy stream for this fish and its buddies.”

Here are the details:

WHAT: Help plant 37 trees and do a final bit of weeding on Miller Creek (at South 144th St. west of Des Moines Memorial Drive) in Burien. You’ll work under the yellowing leaves of the cottonwoods and enjoy a classic fall day out-of-doors.

• Do you care about a healthy environment for your children?
• Do you want to improve Highline for fish, wildlife, and people?
• Do you like caring for trees that you’ll be able to watch grow year by year?
• Do you want to get rid of the stress of the workweek by whacking non-native, invasive weeds?
• Do you want to meet some of your Highline neighbors?

If so, recruit your friends and family and join us to help restore a section of Miller Creek!

We will weed and mulch around trees and shrubs planted in October 2007 and October 2008; we will plant some new trees

What do you need?

• An eager attitude
• Sturdy shoes or boots
• Water bottle
• Gloves (if you have them)
• We provide gloves, tools, and snacks!

WHEN: Planting time is 9am this Saturday, October 17. With enough volunteers, we can get the work done in two hours.

WHERE: South 144th Street, one block west of Des Moines Memorial Drive (northeast Burien, just north of SR 518 and east of SR 509 (see map below).

INFO: For more details, download the flier here (PDF)

RSVP: RSVP so Dennis can provide enough tools and doughnuts for all. If you are a student, please have your parent/guardian download and complete this form (.doc file).

Want to plant trees but can’t make this date? I have another planting project with a private group that would welcome other volunteers on Sunday, October 25, 9 a.m. Let me know if you’d like to join.

This project is a cooperative effort of the Cities of Burien, Normandy Park, and SeaTac; the Port of Seattle; and King County. These governments are working with residents to improve water quality and create healthy streams in the Miller and Walker Creek basins.

Advance sign-up is encouraged to help us plan.

For sign up and questions, contact Dennis Clark, Miller/Walker Creek Basin Steward, dennis.clark@kingcounty.gov, or by phone at: 206-296-1909.

In August, a portion of Walker Creek in Normandy Park was reconstructed to make it a better fish habitat, and this Saturday (Oct. 3rd) from 9am to Noon, volunteers will be the first members of the public to see the restoration (the Walker Preserve remains closed while the new pedestrian bridge is being constructed).

Volunteers are sought to help remove the remaining ivy and other invasive plants around the restored area to ensure its revegetation with native plants is wildly successful.

• Do you want to be the first to see the recent Walker Creek restoration?
• Do you care about a healthy environment for your children?
• Do you want to get rid of the stress of the work week by whacking non-native, invasive weeds?
• If so, recruit your friends and family and join us to help restore a section of Walker Creek!

Here are the details:

WHAT: Walker Creek Preserve Stewardship Work Party

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 3rd from 9am to Noon

WHERE: Walker Creek Preserve in Normandy Park; enter through a gate off First Ave South just south of Normandy Park Assisted Living Center at 16625 First Ave South.

If driving, your parking options include:

• Two-three spaces for high clearance vehicles just inside the gate
• Four-five spaces at the far southeast corner of the Assisted Living center (staff said it would be okay for us to use this area); immediately turn left after entering off First Ave.; cars will have to park head-to-tail
• Three spaces in the small lot at SW 171st St. and Second Ave. SW
• On the street along S. 168th St. on the east side of First Ave. S.

INFO: We will continue the work of removing English ivy from trees and the forest floor along Walker Creek.

What do you need?

• An eager attitude
• Sturdy shoes or boots
• Water bottle
• Gloves (if you have them)

We provide gloves, tools, and snacks!

This project is a cooperative effort of the Cities of Normandy Park, Burien, and SeaTac; the Port of Seattle; and King County. These governments are working with residents to improve water quality and create healthy streams in the Miller and Walker Creek basins.

RSVP: Please RSVP in advance so a donut with your name on it is saved; to sign up or get more info, contact Dennis Clark, Miller/Walker Creek Basin Steward, at:

• dennis.clark@kingcounty.gov
• 206-296-1909

by Dennis Clark
Miller/Walker Creek Basin Steward

On Monday (Sept. 21st), a merry band of men who never lost their childhood sense of joy in playing in streams set off down Miller Creek in Burien and Normandy Park. Their grown up mission was to carefully assess and, where necessary, remove debris jams that block upstream salmon passage. With coho salmon due to return next month, now was the time to do this work.

Stream steward Dennis Clark, assisted by enthusiastic volunteers Andy Batcho, Jim Buchman, and Dave Evans, organized the project. Accompanying them was a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife biologist, the aptly named Larry Fisher. The B-Town Blog’s own Michael Brunk, who thought he came along merely to take photos, also ended up helping to move the largest logs.

Click below to view his Photo Slideshow:

Click to View Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

Salmon are persistent and agile fish and often can swim under, through, and over what appear to be complete blockages. However, in smaller streams such as Miller and Walker Creeks, some jams are complete blockages that would limit the ability of the fish to reach the upper parts of the stream where they would lay their eggs (spawn). At the same time, tree trunks and limbs in the stream provide an important role in creating pools where young salmon rear. Wood also provides shelter where young fish can hide from predators such as great blue herons. Consequently, the team carefully assessed each log/debris jam before deciding to take action. Larry provided the expertise and authority to determine which jams should be removed. Removal of jams in the stream – and most activities affecting the stream channel – require state approval. Based on their evaluation, the team disassembled two blockages. A third was too big for the equipment they had and they’ll return later this week to disassemble a part of that.

The debris jams on Miller Creek were on private property and the team thanks the various property owners who graciously granted property access.

This work complements ongoing efforts to improve streamside habitat, both by private property owners and through organized volunteer projects stretching from the Cove in Normandy Park to the restoration site on Miller Creek at S. 144th St. in Burien. October offers volunteer restoration opportunities on Miller and Walker Creeks on three Saturdays:

• Oct. 3rd
• Oct. 10th
• Oct. 17th

Learn more at the volunteer webpage here.

If you’re interested in volunteering on future stream blockage removals, contact Dennis at 206-296-1909, or via email: dennis.clark@kingcounty.gov.

Our friend Dennis Clark, Miller/Walker Creek Basin Steward, sends us this unusual event – a “Happy Hour Weeding” gathering from 5-6pm on Wed., July 22nd at the Miller Creek restoration project.

Here’s what Dennis had to say:

“Because I received no advance sign-ups for Saturday’s weeding party at our restoration project on Miller Creek at S. 144th St., I’m going to cancel that event.

We will not surrender to the weeds, however!

On the premise that people want to reserve the beautiful weekends we’re enjoying this summer for fun activities, we’re going to try something a little different: a short weeding on a weekday evening.

To make it easier to squeeze volunteering for our streams into your busy summer schedules, I’m asking for just ONE HOUR OF YOUR TIME during 5 p.m. – 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 22. You can stop by on your way home from work, whack some weeds, and then head off knowing you did your part to help steward the stream. It’ll be “happy hour” for us and “unhappy hour” for the weeds.

The location is on South 144th Street, two blocks west of Des Moines Memorial Drive in Burien.

We have several different weeding-type tasks to get done:

• Carefully unwind the bindweed (morning glory) climbing up our two-year old trees and shrubs
• Dig up those blackberry canes coming back using the tiller-mattock hand tools – fortunately, the canes are small and weak thanks to two-year’s worth of good grubbing
• Clip grass from around the willow stakes with shears

With a dozen people, we’ll get this work done quickly and we won’t need to return to the site until the fall!

PLEASE BRING:

• Sturdy shoes
• Clothes that won’t get stained by grasses
• Gloves if you have them (I have plenty if you don’t)
• Your enthusiasm!

TIME:

• 5 – 6 p.m., Wednesday, July 22

LOCATION:

• South 144th Street, two blocks west of Des Moines Memorial Drive in Burien.

Dennis also adds:

“If you wish, RSVP, although RSVPing is not necessary – simply come on by and put in a little time on our project.

During the event, you can reach me at 206-369-8339 (but please do not leave message).”

by Dennis Clark
Miller/Walker Creek Basin Steward

If Burien ever gets a semi-pro (or heck, why not Pro?) sports team, I think they should be called the Burien Beavers.

Burien is once again home to beavers, or at least one beaver. Last week, I received an e-mail from a neighbor of the Walker Wetland in Burien.  He was wondering why the water level in the wetland had come up in the last few weeks when we’ve had no rain.  I visited the site and sure enough, the water level was over a foot higher than it usually is.  Downstream the water was slack — and high — until I reached the cause: a low dam of sticks and mud.  Beavers! Beavers used to be present in the basin but the last one was killed some years ago.  Poking around in the deep water of the wetland, I came face-to-face with one of the soggy rodents.  He dove and I didn’t see him again.

The beaver — or beavers — has chosen a good location from the perspective of fish in Walker Creek.  There’s no spawning habitat upstream of its dam and the increased size and depth of the wetland will provide good rearing habitat for coho salmon outplanted by Trout Unlimited.

It’s possible the beaver migrated from the Northwest Ponds on Des Moines Creek, where its counterparts have been as busy as, well, beavers.

First otters, now beavers! Who knew how wild our stream basin would become?!

While no photos of Burien’s smallest hydraulic engineer are yet available, you can see pictures of his work at the Miller/Walker stream blog here.

So…what do BTB Readers think of the “Burien Beavers” idea? Please Comment below…

[Dennis Clark is King County's Public Outreach/Stewardship Coordinator for Green/Duwamish and Central Puget Sound Watershed Salmon Habitat Recovery (WRIA 9), as well as the Miller/Walker Creek Basin Steward. Read his blog here.]

This Saturday (Mar. 21st) Spring will have sprung so it’s time to get your garden gloves on, dig out those pruning shears and help the Walker Wetlands by removing invasive plants from 10am to Noon.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Walker Wetland invasive plant removal work party

WHEN: Saturday, March 21st from 10am to Noon

WHERE: Walker Wetlands, located at sw 176th near Des Moines Memorial Drive

RSVP: Advance sign up is encouraged to help plan. Please contact Dennis Clark, Miller/Walker Creek Basin Steward, dennis.clark@kingcounty.gov, or phone: 206-296-1909.

INFO: Here’s a link to a PDF Poster with more info. Link to King County’s page is here.

Celebrate spring (Vernal Equinox is March 20) by volunteering at your local wetland!

Here’s your chance to see the big wetlands at the head of Walker Creek up close.

The City of Burien purchased the wetlands in 2005 to preserve the upper portion of Walker Creek.  While the wetlands themselves continue to serve as a giant sponge and filter benefiting the creek, the edges of the wetlands need a bit of care.

There’s some litter to clean up and then we’ll dig up those pesky blackberries that threaten to overwhelm the healthy native vegetation around the edge of the wetlands.

This is your chance to take a peek inside the wetlands before the vegetation leafs out.

What will the volunteers do?
Volunteers will help protect the health of the Walker wetland by removing invasive, non-native plants. The biggest problem is Himalayan blackberry. Volunteers will cut the canes and then dig up the root balls – hard work but satisfying. Volunteers of all ages are welcome but children need to be
accompanied by a parent or an adult.

Why are we doing this stewardship project at the Walker wetland?
The Walker wetland was purchased by the City of Burien in 2005. The Walker wetland sustains the health of Walker Creek by storing and then slowly releasing water. The water also is filtered by the wetland plants. Lastly, the wetland is home to birds and small animals.

Stewardship is needed to preserve the health of the wetland and the larger Walker Creek stream basin.

While the wetland is basically healthy, invasive plants are creeping in around the dryer edges. This stewardship project will help control this unwanted vegetation.

What do volunteers need? The requirements are simple!

• An eager attitude
• Sturdy shoes or boots (you will not be walking in the wetland itself but if it’s raining, you’ll want footwear that keeps your feet dry)
• Leather-palmed gloves (we also will have plenty to loan)
• Filled water bottle
• We provide tools and snacks!

Who’s organizing this event?
This project is a cooperative effort of the Cities of Burien, Normandy Park, and SeaTac; the Port of Seattle; and King County. These governments are
working with residents to improve water quality and create healthy ecosystems in the Miller and Walker Creek basins.

Parking
Park on S. 176th St. east of Des Moines Memorial Drive. Please do not park on Des Moines Memorial Drive.

Celebrate spring in the green – the green of the Walker Wetland!

View Larger Map

Just got word from Dennis Clark, Miller/Walker Creek Basin Steward, that Workshop #3 on monitoring coordination for Miller and Walker Creeks has been changed from this Wednesday, Nov. 19th to Thursday Dec. 4th.

The new date is Thursday, December 4, 7 – 9 p.m.  The workshop will run from 7pm-9pm and will be at the ERAC Building, 15675 Ambaum Blvd. SW.

This date change will allow more interested people to participate.

To catch everyone up-to-date, Workshop #2 focused on coordination of monitoring of water flow, water quality, and habitat conditions on Miller and Walker Creeks. Workshop #3 will continue those discussions.

WHAT: Miller/Walker Creeks Monitoring Coordination Workshop #3

WHEN: Wednesday, November 19, 7 – 9 p.m.

WHERE: Educational Resource and Administrative Center, 15675 Ambaum Blvd. S.W., Burien (note – this is  new location for these workshops).

INFO: New participants are welcome.  However, if you did not participate in Workshop #1 (Sept. 24th) and/or Workshop #2 (Oct. 29th), please review the materials for and from the first workshops:

• Workshop #1 Agenda (Word .doc)
• Workshop #2 Agenda (Word .doc)

Reviewing these materials in advance (along with others located here) will make your participation more productive for both you and the rest of the participants.

Workshop #3 will focus on:

• Finalizing and prioritizing answers to question #1 discussed at Workshop #1: What water quality/quantity/habitat issues are we concerned about?
• Brainstorm ways to better manage and coordinate monitoring

Please let Dennis know if you have any questions or suggestions:

Dennis Clark
Dennis.Clark@kingcounty.gov
206-296-1909

View Larger Map

This summer isn’t the only thing that’s moving fast these days – so are the numerous invasive weeds!

Now you can combine summer fun with your inner extreme gardener by taking part in a major weed-whacking expedition in the Miller Creek area of Burien on Sat. July 19th, from 9am to 11am.

The goal is to protect the investment in the native trees and shrubs volunteers planted there last October.

We call it Speed Weed-Whack Volunteering!

TASKS:

• Carefully unwind the bindweed (morning glory) climbing up the new trees and shrubs
• Dig up those blackberry canes coming back using the tiller-mattock hand tools – fortunately, the canes are small and weak thanks to last year’s grubbing
• Spread the remaining mulch on trees with buckets
• Clip grass from around the willow stakes with shears

With a dozen people, this work will get done faster than a morning glory weed can sprout, and work won’t need to be done at the site again until the fall.

The location is on S. 144th St. about two blocks west of Des Moines Memorial Drive in Burien (see map below).

It is recommended that you bring:

• Sturdy shoes
• Re-usable water bottle
• Gloves if you have them (I have plenty to loan)
• Your enthusiasm!

Please RSVP by 10am, Friday, July 18 to ensure that there are enough tools for all.  But if you decide to come at the last minute, don’t worry as there will be a few extra tools.

Rumor has it that there will also be donuts provided!

More info here, or contact Dennis Clark at (206) 296-1909.

View Larger Map