2/24/2018 UPDATE: THIS PARTY HAS BEEN CANCELED.
Come volunteer with us as we plant native trees!
February 24 10 am – 1 pm
* Utopia, just east of Sedro-Woolley, partnership with Skagit Land Trust
Directions: From Sedro-Woolley eastbound on Highway 20, turn right (south) on Hoehn Rd. Turn left (east) onto Utopia Rd. Follow signs for parking. Parking is very limited, so please carpool. Driving time from Sedro-Woolley: 10 minutes. https://goo.gl/maps/XeUW62qmyyC2
This planting is in partnership with The Skagit Land Trust
As always, we will provide boots and gloves to those who want them. We will have snacks and coffee available to keep us going.
Utopia is a beautiful and rich site that we often visit. It is home to many species of animals and plants. We find evidence from elk, coyote, bobcat, owl, deer,and beaver along with birds and amphibians.
Whenever we plant trees and shrubs near the river, we are adding the diverseness and richness to the Riparian Area, land that directly impacts the river. This area acts as a buffer to the river to help mitigate pollutants, heavy water flow, and trash on its way to the river. Plants along the river bank have a great advantage in their helpfulness. Overhanging trees shade the water and help to keep it cooler, in turn keeping oxygen-depleting algal blooms in check. Plant roots hold the soil in place, helping to keep the banks from eroding away and keep the river from having too much sediment, clearer water is easier for salmon to breathe, see, and smell in.
This site is owned by the Skagit Land Trust and together, we are able to help improve the area.
This event is a great way to get out and do some work to improve salmon habitat. We will be by the river and cool things always happen near a river.
To RSVP, please email volunteer@skagitlandtrust.org so that we know how many people will be attending!
Did you plant this habitat?
From the FieldPicture 1. The first glimpse of the mystery bird.
It’s always wonderful to be able to spend a day in the field, regardless of the weather. The excitement is heightened when something infrequently seen is spotted. That happened on February 14 to a small contingent of Skagit Fisheries staff. While halfway through a stewardship visit to a property owned by Seattle City Light, SFEG staff encountered an unusual avian shape in a tree about 20 feet above the ground. It was roughly the size of a robin, but of a different silhouette, see picture 1. Closer inspection revealed that it was in fact a pygmy owl, picture 2. A little research back in the office revealed that this tiny owl species preys on small song birds, rodents and large insects, and nests in cavities of trees. For some reason this particular species will not use human constructed nest boxes, another reason to preserve natural places, especially with dead tree snags.
Picture 2. Another look at this bird shows it is a pygmy owl, and good at camouflage!
This particular property has been the site of multiple restoration projects, dating back to the mid 2000’s. What made this observation extra special was that this particular Douglas fir that the owl was roosting in was most likely planted by a SFEG volunteer on a cold, wet morning in February, much like when it was observed.
By Stewardship Coordinator Bengt Miller, photos by himself and Restoration Technician Lindsey Juen.
Annual Meeting and Celebration
Join us to celebrate how much we have accomplished this year thanks to YOU.
Click here to find out all the details and to purchase tickets.
Planting Party @ Utopia
2/24/2018 UPDATE: THIS PARTY HAS BEEN CANCELED.
Come volunteer with us as we plant native trees!
February 24 10 am – 1 pm
* Utopia, just east of Sedro-Woolley, partnership with Skagit Land Trust
Directions: From Sedro-Woolley eastbound on Highway 20, turn right (south) on Hoehn Rd. Turn left (east) onto Utopia Rd. Follow signs for parking. Parking is very limited, so please carpool. Driving time from Sedro-Woolley: 10 minutes. https://goo.gl/maps/XeUW62qmyyC2
This planting is in partnership with The Skagit Land Trust
As always, we will provide boots and gloves to those who want them. We will have snacks and coffee available to keep us going.
Utopia is a beautiful and rich site that we often visit. It is home to many species of animals and plants. We find evidence from elk, coyote, bobcat, owl, deer,and beaver along with birds and amphibians.
Whenever we plant trees and shrubs near the river, we are adding the diverseness and richness to the Riparian Area, land that directly impacts the river. This area acts as a buffer to the river to help mitigate pollutants, heavy water flow, and trash on its way to the river. Plants along the river bank have a great advantage in their helpfulness. Overhanging trees shade the water and help to keep it cooler, in turn keeping oxygen-depleting algal blooms in check. Plant roots hold the soil in place, helping to keep the banks from eroding away and keep the river from having too much sediment, clearer water is easier for salmon to breathe, see, and smell in.
This site is owned by the Skagit Land Trust and together, we are able to help improve the area.
This event is a great way to get out and do some work to improve salmon habitat. We will be by the river and cool things always happen near a river.
To RSVP, please email volunteer@skagitlandtrust.org so that we know how many people will be attending!