May 3, 2008

Posted by Keeley O'Connell, (360) 336-1931

We kicked off Spring with heavy rains and 43 hardy volunteers who stuck through the blustry weather to help rid Jetty Island of scotch broom and blackberry. 

Attacking the blackberry forest seemed a daunting task. But Saturday's volunteers made great headway.  We'll be able to install native plants across another half acre very soon!

A group of volunteers from the local kiteboard crew worked on trail maintenance to protect our early March native plantings from being trampled once the Island opens up to the public this summer. 

The osprey are back at Jetty for the season.  The female was very active all day flying over our heads, sometimes with a fish in claw. We saw several bald eagles and the resident gull has laid another two eggs on the derlict pier beside the dock.

Another Snohomish Sound Steward met her 40 hour volunteer commitment during the event.  We had a congratulatory ceremony during the lunch break and presented her with the much coveted (among volunteers People For Puget Sound) logo ball cap as a thanks for her efforts.  And like all of the five other Snohomish Sound Stewards who have donated 40 hours to local habitat, she and her family are showing no signs of stopping!

All in all, it was a blast, but we really are hoping this weather turns soon!

The next Snohomish North Sound restoration event is the May 17 Ivy Pull Out at Picnic Point Park.