Habitat Restoration Updates & Events
Summer is more than Bulrush
July’s work crews spent most of their time in wetlands searching for ricefield bulrush. This is our annual pilgrimage to stopping the spread of a Washington State class A invasive. Volunteers walked both the Ruddy and Canvasback wetlands with their hori hori in hand looking for an increasingly elusive plant. While the numbers of individual ricefield bulrush are down, the search continues since each plant can carry enough seeds to quickly reestablish an unwanted population.
We are trying a more equipment-focused approach to wetland #6 including reflooding to encourage a second growth round of bulrush. The overall Refuge approach is to deplete the seed bank so we are treating, mowing, disking, and reflooding towards that end.
 Looking into August we will be finishing up with bulrush and starting our restoration efforts in the recently logged “Oak Release” area. We are hoping to start an 'Oaks Thursday' volunteer day to help out with trails construction, invasive and erosion control, and planting come fall and winter.
We are also beginning the construction of our High Tunnel to propagate native materials sourced from the refuge to help stop accidental introductions of invasive plants and pathogens. We will be looking for some dedicated volunteers starting around October to help stock and maintain the facility.
Make your own mark on habitat restoration efforts and support us today.
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Saturday, August 3rd, celebrate the large restoration project that will be starting at 
