FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 13, 2011
Earth Day Volunteer Activities at Washougal Oaks and Mima Mounds Natural Areas on April 23
Participants to do important work and experience a natural area
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Natural Resources is seeking volunteers to join Natural Areas managers on projects to celebrate Earth Day, on April 23, 2011. One event will be at planting native vegetation at Washougal Oaks Natural Area in Clark County. The other project is at Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve near Olympia.
This is a great opportunity for the public to experience these important native ecosystems and be a part of protecting their integrity into the future.
Washougal Oaks Natural Area
| What: | Riparian planting along Lawton Creek |
| When: | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. |
Where: | Meet at Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge trailhead about 3 miles east of Washougal on the right as you head east. It’s just after you enter the Columbia Gorge Scenic Area boundary. DNR and participants will carpool from Steigerwald to the site. To get directions go here: http://www.fws.gov/ridgefieldrefuges/steigerwaldlake/driving.html |
| Please bring: | Bring gloves, shovel, sturdy boots, lunch and water. Dress for the weather. DNR will bring snacks and water. |
Activity: | Participants will plant native trees and shrubs along Lawton Creek. Invasive plants like Himalayan blackberry have been controlled during previous events, and the area is ready to be re-established with natives that will help provide shade and eventually large woody debris to the salmon bearing creek.
Contact Carlo if you want to participate: Carlo Abbruzzese: 360-575-5056, carlo.abbruzzese@dnr.wa.gov |
Mima Mounds NAP
| What: | Restore native prairie and tour this unique area |
| When: | 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. |
Where:
| From South bound I-5, take exit 95, go west on Hwy 121 toward Littlerock. In Littlerock, continue west on 128 to ‘T’, turn right on Waddell Creek Road, Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve entrance is about 1 mile on left. |
| Please bring: | Gloves and raingear; DNR staff will provide water, and light refreshments. |
Activity:
| Participants will pull scotch broom with weed wrenches to restore the native prairie. Noon refreshments and prairie tours as requested will occur in afternoon.
For information: Natural Area Manager Birdie Davenport: 360-596-5144, roberta.davenport@dnr.wa.gov |
Media Contact: Jane Chavey, Senior Communications Manager, 360-902-1721, jane.chavey@dnr.wa.gov
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