This community steward was motivated by the adjacent landowner and spent 6 hours to implement a planting plan that provides measures to enhance the native vegetation within the 85' of marine shoreline buffer area of a property located on Hood Canal. The purpose of this project is to enhance the existing buffer area with the addition of native trees and shrubs. The planting reduces sediment and nutrient loading into Hood Canal during rain events by providing for more efficient filtration of surface runoff that is detrimental to salmonid recovery. The planting will also enhance native buffer plant diversity and improve wildlife habitat. The landowner has been provided an initial introduction which provided the opportunity to talk about marine riparian benefits and work to increase their confidence to provide productive quality salmon habitat. The Mason Conservation District provided a Conservation Planting Plan that is designed to provide guidance on the addition of appropriate native plants for the site. To continue to build the riparian area, a relationship has been developed between the landowner, Mason Conservation District and Belfair Valley Nursery.

Restoration: This property was planted with Cornus alba 'Bailhalo' (Halo Dogwood), Acer circinatum (Vine Maple), Ribes sanguineum (Red-flowering Currant), Philadelphus lewisii (Mock Orange), Arctostaphylos uva ursi ( Kinnikinnick ), Myrica heterophylla (Wax Myrtle)

Project Sponsors: Mason Conservation District/Critical Area Buffer Restoration, Hood Canal Coordinating Council/Marine Riparian Initiative

Funders: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Community Salmon Fund and WA Department of Ecology and the Hood Canal Coordinating Council