Ling Niu is a Redmond software engineer from China - with daughter
In a torrential downpour on Saturday morning, twelve of us gathered under a tent set up along the path that parallels the slough, just south of the Leary Way Bridge. Our group was composed of Redmond residents and crew members of local nonprofit Earth Corps.
We were there to replant tree and shrub seedlings in the open area by the slough. The idea is to create a “mini wilderness” to the maximum extent possible, so as to improve and preserve the salmon and wildlife habitat. City of Redmond environment officer Peter Holte instructed us in how to dig holes in the dirt and then remove seedlings from their pots and plant them properly. The seedlings had previously been set out in their desired locations, so we just had to find them and set to work.As the morning progressed, the rain subsided considerably, and more residents showed up to help. The newcomers were instructed and assisted by the Earth Corps crew members. These young folks were made up of Americorps Volunteers and a young woman and man from Morocco and Cambodia. (Go to http://www.earthcorps.org/ to learn more about their environmental restoration work.)
The reforestation effort has been going on for several years. Nearby were 10 foot high trees that had been planted three years ago on the bank of the slough. Jane, who was there with her daughter, said she had helped plant them back then. Funds for this work come out of the stormwater runoff control fees paid annually by Redmond homeowners.
By the time 12 noon rolled around, Peter estimated that we had planted 200 to 300 seedlings. Despite being wet and muddy, we all felt pleased and proud of our work!
photos and story
by John Reinke
Redmond resident
I absolutely love your picture of the mom and daughter planting the seedling tree. Congratulations on your volunteerism and achievements on the Sammamish R. I look forward one day bringing my daughter to your restoration site and walking on a path through the forested buffer.
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