This community steward is an active member of the Community Nearshore Restoration Program in the Hood Canal watershed and provided 36 hours of their time to complete the project. The project is located on a steep slope 100 yards from the Hood Canal shoreline where plantings were provided on the shores of a seasonal stream and wetland. It used native vegetation to enhance the wildlife habitat, prevent erosion and to help manage storm water runoff on the property. Three sites were planted that were located along the fence line, adjacent to a wetland and along the driveway. The fence line location is to stabilize a newly constructed road in the neighboring property. The wetland planting is to enhance the wetland buffer for flood controls and the driveway plants will provide stormwater controls to the canal. 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. This project also used the cost share funds. To continue to build the riparian area, a relationship has been developed between the landowner, Mason Conservation District and Woodbrook Nursery.

Restoration: The three sites were planted with the following plants. These plants will provide root mass to hold on to the soil and prevent slippage down into the road and provide stablilty to flood control at the wetland site. Myrica californica(Pacific Wax Myrtle), Philadelphus lewisii (Mock Orange), Blechum spicant (Deer Fern), Sambucus racemosa (Red Elderberry), Vaccinium ovatum (Evergreen Huckleberry).

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

Funders: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation/Community Salmon Fund and WA Department of Ecology