DESCRIPTION
Wild Fish Conservancy (WFC) and partners (Stillaguamish Tribe, Snohomish County, and Snohomish Conservation District) are proposing to develop a pilot program in which students restore riparian and upland functions by planting native vegetation during their school years. To the extent possible students will return to the same site or an adjacent site each year from kindergarten through high school. Students will be encouraged to plant the number of trees needed to off-set their carbon, oxygen or wood foot-print. Goals: The primary goals of this project are to: 1) improve riparian and upland ecological functions along stream channels which support salmonids and listed species by planting native vegetation 2) increase support for Chinook recovery by engaging students in restoration efforts in the watershed 3) off-set carbon, oxygen and large woody debris impacts. The CO2/O2 program will be partnered with the Stillaguamish Inmate Program and Stillaguamish Living Laboratory Program. Inmates will be responsible for prepping planting sites prior to restoration efforts (including removing invasive species), plant maintenance, and planting left-over native vegetation (if needed). Stillaguamish staff will establish case study test plots on site, work directly with Summit Academy to develop a cultural/educational curriculum, and coordinate student planting field trips. Students will be involved with the planting plan, planting native vegetation and some plant maintenance. Students will
Wild Fish Conservancy (WFC) is proposing to implement a pilot project in which students restore riparian functions and associated processes by planting native vegetation. Restoration work completed during this project will help to improve watershed processes and water quality for chinook salmon and also build community support for salmon recovery in the Stillaguamish Watershed by getting willing students and their parents involved in the process of recovery. The primary goal is to restore, to the extent possible, the natural processes that create and maintain cool, clean, and complex fish habitat for Chinook salmon and other salmonids utilizing the lowest 0.51 miles of Pilchuck Creek and 0.37 miles of the Lower Stillaguamish River and Eagle Creek drainage. Riparian trees planted during this project will provide fish with shade, cover, and allochthonous inputs; help moderate water temperatures; filter sediments and water quality contaminants; and provide habitat for insects, birds, and other animals. Eventually, the trees will provide a source of large woody debris to the channel . Water quality improvements will be afforded not only to the project reach but also to the mainstem Stillaguamish River immediately downstream from the site.
