DISCOVERY BAY — Volunteers are being sought to plant trees Thursday and Saturday at Snow Creek Forest Preserve.
The tree-planting, jointly sponsored by the Jefferson Land Trust and the North Olympic Salmon Coalition, will be on a 73-acre property recently purchased by the land trust to be a permanent wildlife habitat.
The planting will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days.
The goal is to preserve and protect a salmon breeding area by planting 1,000 trees, including about 15 different species, according to Emily Bishop, the salmon coalition’s education and outreach assistant.
“We hope that some of the newly planted trees will provide shade for the creek within two or three years,” Bishop said.
“This will cool the water, as high temperatures can endanger juvenile salmon.”
Wildlife habitat
Snow Creek provides spawning and rearing habitat for steelhead, cutthroat, coho and summer chum salmon, according to a news release.
Bear, deer, elk, bobcat, coyote, cougar, osprey, spotted owl and bald eagles are known to use the area.
Additionally, marbled murrelet habitats are located to the east and west of this portion of Snow Creek, the release said.
According to the salmon coalition’s website, participants will travel south on U.S. Highway 101 and turn right on Snow Creek Way West, which is designated by boulders at the road’s entrance.
They then will follow the road past grain silos, go over a short bridge, continue onto Mountain View Drive, turn left onto Skyview Court and park in an open field on the right. Directional signs will be in place, according to the website.
Tools and gloves will be provided, but volunteers are asked to bring warm, waterproof clothes and boots, water and lunch.
Those interested in helping with stewardship and restoration should email cclendaniel@saveland.org.
Volunteers should contact Bishop at outreach@nosc.org or 360-379-8051 prior to the event.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
