EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY	CONTACT
October 30, 2012	Jeri Rowe-Curtis 425-556-2427

Redmond, WA  —The Urban Forestry Restoration Project, administered by the Washington State Dept. of Natural Resources Urban and Community Forestry Program (DNR), is an exciting opportunity to enhance the capacity of urban forests to manage storm-water and improve air and water quality by improving the health and functionality of trees and forested sites in urban settings. Even more exciting is the City’s opportunity to participate in this program.

Over the next several weeks, a Washington Conservation Corps team will remove the English Ivy, Himalayan Blackberry and English Holly from the Heron Rookery. These invasive non-native plants prevent forested areas from providing our community the full benefits and services of healthy forests by competing for water and nutrients, and in some cases even killing trees. Many undesirable plants that grow in dense thickets also harbor rats and other vermin, creating a public safety hazard as well. Once the unwelcome plants are gone, native vegetation will be planted in its place.

These initial restoration efforts complement the 20-year Forest Management Plant developed as part of the Green Redmond Partnership. To learn more about how you can help keep The Heron Rookery healthy in the future contact Teresa Kluver, Park Operations Supervisor at 425-556-2355 or tkluver@redmond.gov

For more information about the Urban Forestry Restoration Project, visit the Project online or contact Micki McNaughton at (360) 902-1637 or micki.mcnaughton@dnr.wa.gov.

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