One of our wetlands is getting a boost towards a healthier future. Port Blakely Communities recently began a project to establish approximately 11,000 native plants in a local wetland. New plants include redstem dogwood, ocean spray, Pacific ninebark, wild lily of the valley, hazelnut, and Nootka rose. The project, located south of Park Drive at 10th Street, will continue through May 2009. In the coming months, you will see an above ground irrigation system working to give the new plants a good start. This is a temporary system that will be removed once the plants are well established.

Monitoring of the wetland will continue over the next 10 years. The survival of the new plants and the overall wetland health will be documented as a resource for the design and maintenance of wetlands in years to come.

Contractor Tera Dynamic Inc. was selected for the project due to their years of experience with wetland construction. The design of the project was completed by Sarah Cooke PhD. of Cooke Scientific. It was also reviewed by the City of Issaquah’s Major Development Review Team (MDRT) and the Rivers and Stream Board.

Volunteer to Help Wetlands

Would you like to lend a hand in preserving and protecting our wetlands? The Issaquah Highlands’ award-winning Adopt-A-Wetland program welcomes new volunteers throughout the year. Adopt-A-Wetland volunteers lead bi-monthly work parties to perform preservation and maintenance of local wetlands. They also help to educate the community about the region’s wetlands. To learn more, please contact the IHCA at 425-427-9257.