Pierce Pierce Conservation District promotes resource Conservation conservation through District Mission: innovation and cooperation.

Volume 12 - Issue 3 CONSERVATION ACROSS PIERCE COUNTY FALL 2015 Published Quarterly Local High School Represents WA State At National Envirothon Competition Inside... The Pierce Conservation District was Held during the last week of July, the proud to support the Pierce County national competition proved to be Envirothon teams from Eatonville, a fun and exciting challenge for the Conservation Corner Sumner, and Puyallup High Schools State team. Competing • Pre-Orders for Annual and Tacoma’s Science and Math against 51 other teams from across the Native Plant Sale Institute (SAMI) at the South Puget U.S. and Canada, SAMI finished 32nd, • Dept. of Ecology Farm Sound regional Envirothon meet on and recorded their highest score of Workshops May 7. All put in strong showings, the event in the current issue topic. and the SAMI-Team A took first place Habitat Improvement Congratulations to SAMI for represent- for the fourth time in the past five ing Pierce County and Washington • Meet our New years, winning them a trip to State. Team Member State at this national event. If you • Fall Planting Schedule With no signs of slowing down, SAMI are interested in learning more about • Great Family Events won the Washington State Envirothon Envirothon, local competitions, or meet at the end of May, taking the how to start a team, contact Jayme Harvest Pierce County top score in the oral presentation Gordon at jaymeg@piercecountycd. • Meet Our New on this year’s current topic, Urban org or (253) 845-9770 ext. 102. Team Member & Community Forestry, and placing • Take a Tour of Our ahead of Garfield- and Mark Community Green Spaces Morris High Schools for the opportunity to attend Nationals in Missouri. On the Farm • Winter Farm Preparation • Fall Classes and Workshops

Water Quality Improvement • Stream Monitor Workshop • Fall Stream Monitoring Schedule • Drought Reminder • Local Water Quality Data • Fall Volunteer Opportunities • Meeker Creek Restoration Project

Also • Pierce County Farm Forum • Volunteer With Us The winning team at the South Puget Sound Regional Envirothon Competition hailed from the at the Science and Math Institute (SAMI) in Tacoma. SAMI went on to win the state meet, and repre- sent Washington at the North American Envirothon championship in Missouri this past summer.

Sidebar photo courtesy of Alisa Schindler, Redpoint Photography.

1 Conservation Corner Annual Native Plant Sale: Pre-Order Now Until January 22 for Pick-Up February 26 & 27 The District offers almost 30 native tree These bare root plants have well- and shrub species for home landscapes developed roots and are easy to and conservation purposes, including: handle, transport and plant. naturescaping (low-water requirement We strive to provide you with large landscapes), rain garden installations, quantities of high quality and afford- wildlife enhancement, reforestation, able bare root trees and shrubs, as wetland and stream enhancement, and well as tree protector tubes, and erosion control, as well as landscap- Plantskydd animal repellant. ing around homes and farms. Native plants have evolved to grow in the soils, topography, and climate of CONTACT . This gives them Order on-line at: decided advantages, including greater resistance to pests and better abil- www.piercenativeplantsale.com ity to withstand wet winters and dry Or request an order form summers. It is for these reasons that by contacting René: conservation districts across the state (253) 845-9770 x106 promote the use of native plants.

CONTACT US: PIERCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT Phone: (253) 845-9770 Fax: (253) 845-4569 Toll Free: (866) 845-9485 Red HARVEST PIERCE COUNTY: (253) 278-6215 Flowering Currant EMAIL/WEB: [email protected] [email protected] Brighten your spring with www.piercecountycd.org the wonderful blooms and www.piercecountycd.org/streamteam scent of this native shrub. Happy in sun or shade, MAIL: the Red Flowering Currant P.O. Box 1057 will bring you plenty of Puyallup, WA 98371 bird visitors throughout the season: hummingbirds OFFICE LOCATION: early on for the flower 5430 66th Avenue East nectar; robins and spar- Puyallup, WA 98371 rows later for the berries.

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2 Working With Landowners to Clean Up Our Water Starting in fall of 2015, the Depart- Staff will be in the field in 2015 ment of Ecology will be working with with several priority areas: Mud Prevention and Waste landowners and other partners in the • South Prairie Creek Management Workshop Puyallup and White River watersheds and its tributaries OCTOBER 5, 6–8 p.m. to solve water quality problems. This is the start of a more focused effort • Boise Creek South Prairie to implement existing water cleanup Learn techniques to avoid muddy • Pussyfoot Creek plans for these watersheds. There are pastures this winter. We will also dis- several completed water cleanup plans • Second Creek cuss how to properly store and com- for these watersheds, but those of post manure so that instead of con- greatest concern for this effort include: Ecology’s field protocol this year tributing to water quality problems, will include partnering to provide this waste product will be turned • Puyallup River Fecal Coliform into a beneficial material in time for outreach, ensuring more specific application onto gardens or pastures • Puyallup River BOD (Biological information is reaching landowners, next spring. Expect plenty of time Oxygen Demand) and Ammonia offering site visits, and provid- for discussion and questions. Each ing clear timelines for action. • South Prairie Creek Fecal Coli- class participant will go home with form and Temperature Ecology will also partner with conserva- a thumb drive full of practical tips. tion districts and agriculture groups More information about these and to host workshops for landowners so other water cleanup plans can be producers can learn about the current found at Ecology’s website: http:// health of their watershed, and the www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/tmdl/ resources available to promote a healthy Learn how to effectively manage your live- TMDLsbyWria/tmdl-wria10.html operation and protect clean water. stock property to keep contaminants from reaching water bodies such as South Prairie Ecology staff will be working with land- Creek at the upcoming Mud Prevention and owners in the Puyallup and White River Waste Management. See page 9 for details on the class and how to register. watersheds to identify and fix water quality problems. The evaluation pro- cess used by Ecology will identify water quality problems, prioritize work and directly follow up with landowners to help them fix water pollution problems.

CONTACT If you have questions about Ecology’s water cleanup effort contact Donovan Gray: (360) 407-6407 [email protected] If you would like assistance with improving water quality in your area, contact Donovan or the Pierce Conservation District: (253) 845-9770

3 Habitat Improvement District Welcomes New Habitat Improvement Coordinator Bill Simper joined as Bill’s current priority projects include Habitat Improvement overseeing several seasonal crews work- Coordinator in June 2015. ing on knotweed control in the Nisqually The position involves and South Prairie Creek watersheds. managing the knotweed Upcoming work for the fall and winter eradication program as well will involve planning and implementing as a broad array of other habitat restoration re-plantings in areas associated projects such as recently cleared of invasive knotweed. the restoration of native “Careful spatial data collection and vegetation and environ- record keeping will help to improve mental education. He brings long-term planning efforts and to the program experience allow us to track changes in species in project management, composition over time, ultimately biological monitoring, leading to a positive change in ripar- invasive plant control, and ian vegetation communities.” geographic information Bill recently moved systems. “The goal is to set up to Washington from natural systems that will Austin, Texas where “Control- he worked for Travis ling the maintain themselves with County as a Natural Bill Simper is shown here con- spread of little or no continued Resource Specialist, ducting a flight-line survey of invasive species is a Reddish Egret breeding colonies human intervention.” maintaining and challenging technical in the Laguna Madre region of - Bill Simper improving habitat for the Texas Gulf Coast. problem that I hope to endangered neo- contribute to helping tropical migrant solve in Pierce County. Habitat restora- birds at the Balcones Canyonlands tion is like landscaping writ large. The Preserve. A graduate of the University goal is to set up natural systems that of Texas, he holds a Master’s degree will maintain themselves with little or in Population and Conservation Biol- no continued human intervention.” ogy from Texas State University.

Bringing the Northwest Outdoors to the Washington State Fair Each year, the District joins other out- native plant displays, a kids’ fishing tion District will have a booth once door and recreation groups to make pond, archery range, snowshoe track and again where our staff and volunteers up the Northwest Outdoors Building several other interesting attractions. New will talk with fairgoers about what at the Washington State Fair, which to the building this year is a photo we’ve been up to, our upcoming vol- will run from September 11th – 27th booth, where fairgoers can use props and unteer opportunities and workshops, at the Puyallup Fairgrounds. While attire to create the ultimate Northwest and other interesting topics. Be sure you’re taking a break from scones, picture with their family and friends. You to visit the Northwest Outdoors Build- roller coasters and skee ball, stop can then use tags and social media to ing during your annual visit to the by the NWOB to enjoy a piece of the share with everyone how much fun Washington State Fair and see all that great outdoors. The building features you’re having at the Fair. The Conserva- it has in store for people of all ages.

Sidebar photo courtesy of Alisa Schindler, Redpoint Photography.

4 Volunteers are needed for fall plantings. Always fun and sometimes a little Fall Plantings: muddy, these events are a great way to roll up your sleeves and connect Volunteer Opportunities with other community members for a hands-on opportunity to participate in local habitat improvement projects. Abound For the Chance to Projects are subject to change, so please contact Jayme Gordon (253) 845- Put Plants in the Ground! 9770 x 102 or [email protected] to register and receive directions and other project information.

SEPTEMBER 26 OCTOBER 3 OCTOBER 17 OCTOBER 24 Wollochet Bay South Fork Ball Creek Clarks Creek 9 a.m.–12 p.m. Muck Creek 9 a.m.–12 p.m. 9 a.m.–12 p.m. With funding support 9 a.m.–12 p.m. This planting will Long covered by grass from the Lu Winsor Blackberries and reed complete the effort to and blackberries, grant and KGI Watershed canary grass will be restore a diverse and more than 800 feet Council, the District is replaced with native healthy stream buffer of Clarks Creek—an working with Green Hills conifers, deciduous trees, along the headwaters of important salmon- Farm to plant more than and shrubs to enhance Ball Creek near Orting. bearing tributary to 200’ of an unnamed the riparian area along In partnership with the lower Puyallup tributary to Wollochet the South Fork of Muck PCC Farmland Trust, River—will be planted Bay at their horse Creek in Graham. This volunteers have installed with native trees and boarding facility near planting will help 500 plants since last shrubs to establish Gig Harbor. Establish- improve water quality year. This fall, another a long-term solution ment of these plants and wildlife habitat along 300 or so western red to keeping water is intended, in part, to this important chum cedar, salmonberry, and temperatures cool and filter and cool surface salmon stream in the other species will replace creating critical fish water run-off before it Nisqually watershed. blackberries and grass and wildlife habitat. enters Puget Sound. that previously separated the stream from the adjacent farm fields.

Bring the Whole Family Out for these Great Fall Events

Point Defiance Fall Family Garden Festival Garden Festival SEPTEMBER 20, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. OCTOBER 10 Point Defiance Pagoda 10 a.m.–2 p.m. 5400 N. Pearl Street, Tacoma 98407 WSU Master Gardeners Demonstration Garden All of the gardening resources you 2607 W Pioneer could ever need will be in one place Puyallup, 98371 at the Point Defiance Garden Festival. Lectures, vendors, plant sales and A day of free, family fun food will all be part of this event. is coming to Puyallup for the Fall Family Garden Salmon Homecoming Festival. Come enjoy kids OCTOBER 3, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. activities, free healthy Clarks Creek Hatchery snacks, demonstrations and a discount tree sale. 1416 14th St SW, Puyallup, 98371 Join us in celebrating the return of salmon with live music, educa- tional activities and biologist-led tours of the hatchery. There will also be food vendors on hand.

5 Harvest Pierce County District Welcomes New Harvest Pierce County Program Specialist Mason Durfee joined the PCD team as the Harvest Pierce County Program Specialist in July. As part of the Urban Agriculture wing, they support the Gleaning Project, educational workshops, and many community food projects throughout the county. They have a background in organic farming, having apprenticed at several CSA (Community Sup- ported Agriculture) projects in Vermont and Oregon, and studied sustainable growing practices in Oaxaca, Mexico. They hold a Bachelor of Science in Community and International Development from The University of Vermont. “Over the last 7 years, I have had the opportunity to work Harvest Pierce County Program Special- with some amazing organizations ist Mason Durfee picking pumpkins at around the country that are working a patch in Snohomish. to build sustainable food systems,” they said. I am excited to bring these experiences to my role with the Harvest Pierce County team.” ships within the whole community With the growing season in full swing, and figuring out how we can work over the next few months Mason’s together to solve the challenges we focus will be coordinating the Gleaning face in building a just and healthy food Project--working to system. It’s about capture food from digging deeper and residential fruit trees, “It’s also about developing asking important gardens, and farms relationships within the whole questions about and share the harvest community and figuring out our relationship with food banks and with the land, food how we can work together...” and each other.” hot meal sites in - Mason Durfee Tacoma and beyond. Mason also “What is amazing will be teach- about this project is that it’s not just ing a class about fruit tree main- about picking apples and dropping tenance in the winter as part of them off at the food bank,” they said. the Edible Garden series. A native It’s also about developing relation- of Rhode Island, Mason lives in Tacoma with their partner Mae.

6 Take a Tour of Pierce County’s Community Managed Green Spaces Saturday, SEPTEMBER 12 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Gallucci Learning Garden Meet at Gallucci Learning Garden Founded by the Tacoma Urban Land Trust, this garden on the corner of S located at S 14th & G Street 14th and G street Tacoma’s only urban demonstration garden. Managed by a Pierce County boasts a tremendous group of volunteers, this garden hosts weekly free classes from bee keeping range of communally managed green to botanical illustration and donates all produce to the Guadalupe House and spaces from Food Forests to demon- St. Leo’s. Visit www.galluccilearninggarden.org for more information. stration gardens and everything in between. Since 2010, the number of these spaces has increased from 10 to now 75 community gardens, orchards, South Tacoma Community Garden and food forests. Each of these sites One of Tacoma’s newest community garden, this garden exemplifies the ideal is designed, organized, and managed relationship between business and community. The property is owned by by volunteers. Tending these sites is Motors Northwest located on S 70th and S Puget Sound and is tended by no small feat and requires ongoing committed neighbors eager to bridge the gap between the South Tacoma maintenance, volunteer management, neighbors and business district. and community engagement. But the rewards of participation are great: a strong connection to neighbors and community, time spent in nature, a Veggie Co-Op substantially healthier diet, and a This is a communally managed farm on Franklin-Pierce School District prop- safer, more beautiful neighborhood. erty in Summit-Waller. About 30 volunteers come together to design, tend, For the past five years, we take the harvest, donate and learn together as well as occasional work with students. opportunity in the early Fall to Thousands of pounds of produce have been donated by this site alone. celebrate these community spaces with our annual Harvest Tour. We host both a Bus Tour and Walking Tour which capture the wide range of Swan Creek Park Food Forest communally managed food produc- This is Tacoma’s first formal Food Forest and is managed by Forage Pierce ing green spaces in Pierce County. County. From apple trees to mushrooms, a rich diversity of plant life can You are welcome to visit any of the found at this forested site. Located next the Swan Creek Park Community gardens at your convenience, but we Garden at E 42nd and E Roosevelt St, there are many educational opportuni- do recommend that you reserve a spot ties especially related to Permaculture at this beautiful spot. (especially if you are interested in the Bus tour as seats fill up quickly). To the right is a snap-shot of some of the gardens visited on the tour. For a full list of gardens, a map of the community gardens in Pierce County, and to register for the Bus or Walking Tours, please visit www.harvestpierce- county.org or call (253) 278-6215.

7 On the Farm Getting the Farm Ready for Winter Fall is the time for a lot of the routine fertilizer if adequate rain does not fall management tasks that need to be done until late October or if the temperature on the farm. It is also a prime oppor- drops to or below freezing in October tunity to do any last minute prepara- (or earlier), which is often the case tions for the long, wet winter ahead. in western Washington. When this happens, it is best to store the fertil- Dragging izer over the winter and use it the Running a drag or harrow is a good next spring. Once there is a frost, the idea anytime during the summer, but fertilizer may be leached beyond the it is an especially good idea to do this root zone before the now slow-growing one last time in the fall to distribute plants can use the fertilizer. This will manure piles before the winter rains result in ground water contamination. come. Small, relatively inexpensive chain drags can be found to pull behind a lawn Weed Management tractor or small pickup, or something Fall is a good time to cut back black- as simple as weighted down bed springs berries and other weeds to prevent can be used to do this job as well. nutrient storage in their roots over the winter. Spot Seeding Fall is a good time to Emptying Manure Storage Bins over-seed bare and thin Cleaning out the manure bins one last spots in the pasture. If time in the fall is also a good idea to left bare over the winter, prepare as much room as possible for it is most likely that winter storage. Composted manure can they will be sprouting be spread on the fields in September weeds in the spring. or early October, used to mulch garden If sufficient rain falls beds over the winter, or can be removed in September to initi- from the property through the district’s ate new grass growth, manure share program or by taking apply the last 15% of it to a facility that utilizes manure. the annual nutrient Please call the district to get on the needs of the pasture. manure share program list or obtain the The district has a list of facilities that accept manure. first one’s free soil Preparing for Manure Storage sampling program if you would like to If you do not currently store your determine what type livestock’s manure over the winter, and the amounts of consider doing so to facilitate proper nutrients that may composting and to prevent the pile from be lacking in your overtaking your property and becom- soil. Do not apply ing an eyesore as well as a source of (continued on page 14) Pierce County Farm Forum Workshop Series

The Pierce County Farm Forum is hosting a series of workshops on topics you care about. Get valuable information on Irrigation Wells, Food Hubs, Agritourism, Food Safety, and more. Learn more at www.piercecountyfarmforum.com.

Sidebar photo courtesy of Alisa Schindler, Redpoint Photography.

8 Fall Classes for Farm and Home* Horse Farm Tour Agriculture Roundtable Hay, Layer Hen and SEPTEMBER 2, 5:30–7:30 p.m. Breakfast Club Cattle Farm Tour Graham 4th Friday of Every Month, 9–10 a.m. NOVEMBER 8, 1–3 p.m. Visit this 10 acre horse farm that has Orting Bakery, Orting recently been put up for sale. During her 212 Washington Ave N., Orting, WA Visit a 36 acre, 70 year-old farm which five years there, the landowner cross- Each month, the AgCOI coordinator, has been brought back from neglect by fenced and improved the pastures, created the WSU Extension Pierce County Direc- the current owners over the past nine heavy use areas by the barn with gravel tor and the Pierce County Ag Program years. The owners have applied the footing material and a drain that directs Manager will be having breakfast in the manure generated from their cattle and water around the barn and into the delicious Orting Bakery. If you are an chickens onto the fields which had been pastures, and a manure storage structure existing farmer, or even just following an hayed without any inputs for many years in which to compost the horse’s manure interest, join us over a cup of coffee to and were much depleted and in desperate before applying it on the pastures in the talk about any specific issues that you need of nutrients. Through cross fencing spring and fall. Along with touring the would like help to resolve on your farm. and rotational grazing and weed manage- farm, we will also discuss what to look We may not be able to solve the problem ment, they have managed to decrease the for and avoid when purchasing a farm here, but you will have our undivided amount of weeds- primarily thistle on the property, and what to do to prepare a attention, and we can work together property, and have increased the amount farm property to get it ready for sale. as a team to come up with a plan of of forage and hay produced on the farm. where to go to get the problem solved. Hay Field Renovation Tour Food Hubs: What are They and SEPTEMBER 10, 5:30–7:30 p.m. Farm Economics Does Pierce County Need One? Roy OCT. 21, 6–8 p.m. NOVEMBER 18, 5-8 p.m. Visit a farm with a 12 acre hay field that Gig Harbor (please register Please Register for Exact Location was renovated in the fall of 2013. Learn for exact location) Join us for this workshop that will why the landowner chose to renovate, Many small farms in Pierce County explore the concept of a Pierce County the steps taken to work the ground, face economical struggles. Come to a Food Hub and will result in next steps the amendments used as directed by workshop and get ideas for how to make to support the local food market in a free district soil sample analysis, your farm more lucrative, or at least less Pierce County. During the evening, we and the follow-up weed control done costly. We will discuss typical farm costs will hear more about what a food hub in the spring of 2014. Learn the pros and budgeting models, as well as avail- does, see examples of different models and cons of renovation and how to do able funding programs. Hear a success in the region, and get your feedback it right to get the results you want. story of a beginning farmer making ends on what aspects of a centralized meet while also caring for the land. facility to facilitate the aggregation, Climate & Farming Workshop Contact Sofia Gidlund to register and SEPTEMBER 24, 6-8 p.m. get more details at sofiag@piercecoun- processing and distribution of locally produced food would be most beneficial. Pierce Conservation District tycd.org or (253) 845-9770 x 105. Forterra and Healthy Communities New risks are emerging from the threat Rabbit Processing Workshop Planning LLC are hosting this workshop. of global climate change, and Pierce Light refreshments will be served. County needs to be equipped with the NOVEMBER 5, 5-7 p.m. adaptability to handle temperature Join us at a commercial poultry and Mud Management/Winter extremes, less predictable water systems, rabbit farm that grows ducks, turkeys, Farm Projects and changing soils to name a few of the chickens, and rabbits! This workshop held NOVEMBER 19, 6–8 p.m. effects. This workshop will be an overview right on the farm, will cover everything of the research on climate change in from picking to processing your rabbit Key Peninsula (please register the Pacific Northwest, and a few mitiga- for food and pelts. Please email Chris- for exact location) tion strategies that will help to lower [email protected] to register. With 38-54 inches of rain every year agriculture’s carbon footprint at the mud can easily become a problem on the same time. Please register to the right. farm. Mud harbors bacteria and diseases and causes more problems than a lost CONTACT boot. Learn what you can do both in the short-term and long-term to eliminate Please contact René or Sofia to (253) 845-9770 mud on your farm. We will also discuss register and receive directions [email protected] other good winter projects for the farm. to the workshops:: [email protected]

*See page 3 for additional farm workshop, “Mud Prevention and Waste Management Workshop”.

9 Water Quality Improvement Stream Monitor Hands-on Workshop SEPTEMBER 26 The workshop will be held out in the 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Key Peninsula area to highlight the The district will hold a stream monitor- need for stream monitors in the water- ing workshop on Saturday, September shed. The Key Peninsula-Gig Harbor- 26, from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. This workshop Islands (KGI) watershed covers an area is open to anyone interested in becom- of 158 sq. miles, and has 179 miles of ing a stream monitor or learning more shoreline. Many of the streams are rela- about water quality sampling. The tively short, and flow directly into the training will cover why we monitor, Sound. The watershed is also home to a water quality testing, flow measure- number of commercial and recreational ments, and habitat assessment, shellfish beds that can be impacted by with time provided for participants poor water quality from nearby streams. to practice sampling techniques. Once trained, volunteers will then CONTACT be assigned to a stream site of their To register for the stream choosing and can begin sampling at monitoring workshop, their convenience. Data collected by please contact Isabel: stream monitors is periodically shared [email protected] with partner jurisdictions. Volunteer (253) 845-9770 x103 stream monitors play a key role in stream stewardship by raising awareness Directions to the workshop of pollution problems and providing location and other information water quality data that the community will be sent upon registration. can use to protect local streams.

Fall Stream Drought Reminder Our summer of record high tempera- Monitoring tures and record low stream flows is Schedule continuing, creating challenging conditions for fish. With many of our Quarterly monitors: Schedule monitor- rivers running at 10% of normal flow ing session between September 21, the Washington Department of Fish 2015 and December 14, 2015. & Wildlife is urging folks to report Bimonthly monitors: Monitor stream sightings of fish that have become site September and November. stranded while migrating upstream All stream monitors: Don’t forget at the website: http://wdfw.wa.gov/ to complete a habitat assessment conservation/drought/. They are also form for your stream site anytime asking people to refrain from building between August and October. rock dams across streams. These dams don’t allow fish to move upstream to find cooler water, spawn and feed. You can report dams you have discovered (Pictured in sidebar) Washington Conservation Corps crew members work to remove a rock dam on by emailing [email protected] South Prairie Creek to help migrating salmon make or calling toll free 877-933-9847. it upstream to spawning grounds.

10 Local Water Quality Data In the Spotlight: Creeks Highlighted this Quarter

Mark Dickson Creek Stream Monitor: Cyndy Dillon Rocky Creek Stream Monitor: Dan Handa

KGI WATERSHED

PIERCE COUNTY WATERSHEDS

r ite Rive CHAMBERS-CLOVER Wh WATERSHED PUYALLUP RIVER WATERSHED

Carbon River P uya llup NISQUALLY RIVER Rive WATERSHED r Mark Dickson Creek is a short stream located in the Key Peninsula – Gig Harbor – Islands

Nis (KGI) watershed. It flows into Ray Nash Creek qua lly Ri ver which is a salmon bearing stream in its lower reaches. Volunteer collected data for dissolved oxygen (blue) and water temperatures (green) are shown in the graph above. The state water quality standard for both parameters are represented in the graph by the same color dashed lines. Since 2013 there have been several occasions when Mark Dickson Creek has not met the state standard for dissolved oxygen and for water temperature. The low dissolved oxygen and higher water temperatures occurred during sum- mer and early fall when water levels tend to be lower and air temperature higher. Pierce County’s Raise the Grade Program will focus on improving water quality problems in Mark Dickson Creek.

Rocky Creek is also located in the KGI watershed and flows approximately 5 miles from Wye Lake in Kitsap County to Rocky Bay in Pierce County. Rocky Creek supports runs of chinook, chum, and coho salmon. Volunteer collected data beginning in fall of 2013 for dissolved oxygen and water temperatures are shown above. The state standard for dissolved oxygen (blue) and water temperature (green) are also represented on the graph above. For this time period (Oct 2013 to June 2015) water temperature is meeting state standards while there was one inci- dence of low dissolved oxygen during this time.

11 Water Quality Improvement Volunteer Opportunities this Fall!

Murray Creek McKinley Business Planting District Depave Planting SEPTEMBER 26 OCTOBER 3 9 a.m.-12 p.m. 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Hardy volunteers needed to help Hot off the heels of a very successful plant 150 trees and shrubs along community depave, where 50 volun- Murray Creek on Camp Murray. The teers removed 2,000 sqft of asphalt digging is tough – the soil is loaded in under 2 hours, we are gearing up with rocks, but the reward is worth for planting. To prepare for planting it. Murray Creek is home to a run on October 3 we had BNBuilders and of kokanee salmon that spend their Rino Construction remove an addi- entire lives in Murray Creek and tional 5,000 sqft of concrete, remove American lake, never reaching salt 12” of compacted soil, and replace water. These plants will increase the beds with Tagro. All contrac- canopy cover and keep the kokanee tor services and soil product were stream water cool and clean. To RSVP donated to the project – Thank You! contact Melissa at (253) 845-9770 We have hundreds of shrubs and x109 or [email protected]. groundcover to place, so we are looking for many hands. If you are (Pictured in sidebar) District interested in participating in help- Executive Director, Ryan Mello, ing this business district out, contact helps Depave the McKinley Melissa at (253) 845-9770 x109 or Business District. Over, 8,000 [email protected]. sqft of pavement was removed in June and we need volunteer support to replace it with trees and shrubs on October 3rd!

Campers at this summer’s Pierce County Eco-Explorers Adventure Camp learn how to do water quality testing and macro-inverte- brate sampling.

Sidebar photo and photo on page 13 courtesy of Brian DalBalcon Photographyy.

12 CONTACT To RSVP for any of these planting projects, please contact Melissa: [email protected] (253) 845-9770 x109 Volunteer Opportunities this Fall!

Meeker Creek Project creek, reduce in-stream temperature trees on-site that had to be removed, OCTOBER 17, OCTOBER 31, through riparian cover, and restore and from the stockpile of root wads the NOVEMBER 7, and NOVEMBER 21 Salmon spawning and refuge habitat. City obtained as a donation from a local 9 a.m.-12 p.m. for all dates If you have driven by the Meeker WSDOT project where they went unused. Restoration site lately, you’ll see that And those large dirt piles? To reduce The City of Puyallup is currently the new meandering channel is tak- material export as much as possible underway on construction of the ing shape. The floodplain has all been the dirt from the excavated areas has Meeker Creek Riparian and Stream excavated, and the low-flow channel been kept on site, and used to create Restoration Project. The project, located with shore armoring, woody material, the designed mounded areas which along Meeker Creek, just prior to its and streambed cobble is nearly com- will be planted later this fall to create confluence with Clarks Creek, will plete. Connection of Meeker into the new habitat and stabilize the soils. remove 1,000 linear feet of the 4,385- new channel is expected to be made foot Meeker Creek from the trapezoidal PCD and Puyallup will partner this in mid-August. After the channel is ditch and place it in a natural, mean- fall to install native trees and shrubs complete, efforts will move to filling dering stream channel. This project and we are looking for interested in the old ditched area, connecting will also restore over 100,000 square volunteers. Join us at any of our three those outfalls left in the ditch area, and feet of riparian area while creating planting dates. To RSVP contact installing a new water quality device. floodplain storage. These efforts will Melissa at (253) 845-9770 x109 or help meet requirements for the City Reduce & reuse? Absolutely! All woody [email protected]. to support total maximum daily load material that has been used thus far (TMDL) requirements imposed by the on this project has come from NPDES Stormwater Permit. The restoration project and riparian planting Volunteers remove pavement from the will contribute to McKinley Business District. Once planted, not only will the neighborhood be more an increase in beautiful, but the new green space DO levels in the will help remove nearly 200,000 gallons of polluted stormwater from Puget Sound annually.

Fun Fact! Removing 1,000 square feet of pavement can eliminate over 24,000 gallons of polluted storm water from our rivers and streams!

13 (“Getting the Farm Ready for Winter” continued from page 8) water contamination. Manure storage Liming can be as simple as piling it up at least Reminder! If it has been a few years since you 50’ from any open surface water and have limed your fields, or especially if Don’t forget about the farm covering it with a tarp, or may involve you have never limed your property, it equipment and services building structures that facilitate rapid may be time to do so! Liming results provided by the District: and complete composting of the mate- in improved soils, better forage yields, rial. Please call the district for bin First one’s free soil and improved palatability. Neutralizing ideas, designs and composting tips. sampling for pastures, the soil through liming will enable hay fields, and com- elements crucial to plant growth such Checking and/or mercial crops as phosphorus, to become available Installing Gutters for use by plants. Liming also adds Manure spreader rental Don’t forget to check the gutters and calcium and sometimes magnesium, Poultry processing downspouts on buildings adjacent to two other crucial elements to the soil, unit rental livestock holding areas to make sure they and makes them available to plants. are functioning. The animals may have Electric fence Liming also improves certain soil proper- crushed or disconnected the downspout, construction tool loan ties which results in improved water and or rodents may have clogged the outlet air relationships in the soil that help Hay probe loan pipe with nesting materials. After you plants to grow better. The amount of fix the crushed downspout for the Manure share program lime needed would be determined with third time, you may consider running a soil sample, and the district also has a it through a heavy corrugated plastic list of companies that sell lime in bulk. pipe or building a box around it with 2x4’s. If there isn’t a roof runoff system Installing Paddock Footing present to divert water away from the One last thing to do to prepare for winter livestock holding area, you may consider if you haven’t already done so, is to installing one to decrease the amount bring in footing material for livestock of water going into the area and to keep holding areas. The footing material will are breed specific and they all must be the clean roof water from becoming provide a mud free area for the animals installed properly, so call the district contaminated with livestock manure. to hang out in for the winter and will for instructions. A site development allow you to keep permit may be required to create these the animals off the impervious surfaces, so contact us or pastures to prevent the Pierce County Development Center over grazing when to find out what you may need. the grass is dormant If you need any specific information and compaction when for any of the above management the soil is saturated. practices, please contact our farm Footing materials can program team. Although we may not be hogfuel, gravel, be able to physically help you cut those sand or a combina- weeds or spread that manure (we’ll tion of materials. be too busy doing that on our own They all have their farms!) we will be happy to give you pros and cons, some any recommendations you may need.

14 September October

Sept 2 Horse Farm Tour, 5:30–7:30 p.m. Oct 3 McKinley Business For more info contact René at District Planting, [email protected] or (253) 9 a.m.-12 p.m. For more info 845-9770 x106. contact Melissa at melissab@ Sept 10 piercecountycd.org or Hay Field Renovation Tour, (253) 845-9770 x109. 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. For more info contact René at renes@piercecoun- Oct 3 Salmon Homecoming, tycd.org or (253) 845-9770 x106. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. For more info Who We Are: contact Chris at christophert BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Sept 11 – 27 WA State Fair Volunteers Needed, @piercecountycd.org or 10 a.m.–10 p.m. For more info (253) 845-9770 x112. Jeanette Dorner, Chair contact Chris at christophert@ Sheila Wynn, Vice-Chair Oct 3 piercecountycd.org or call South Fork Muck Creek David Seago, Auditor (253) 845-9770 x112. Planting, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. For Scott Gruber, Member Sept 12 more info contact Jayme at Take a Tour of Pierce County’s [email protected] Ernie Bay, Member Community Managed Green Spaces, or (253) 845-9770 x102. 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. For more info contact Micaela at micaelac@ Oct 5 Mud Prevention and Waste DISTRICT STAFF piercecountycd.org or call Management Workshop, 6–8 Melissa Buckingham, Water Quality Improvement (253) 306-3457. p.m. For more info contact René and Monitoring Program Director Sept 20 at [email protected] or Chrissy Cooley, Agriculture Community Point Defiance Garden Festival, (253) 845-9770 x106. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. For more info of Interest Coordinator contact Chris at christophert@ Oct 10 Fall Family Garden Festival, Micaela Cooley, Urban Agriculture Education piercecountycd.org or 10 a.m.–2 p.m. For more info and Outreach Coordinator (253) 845-9770 x112. contact Chris at christophert Selena Corwin, Senior Finance and Sept 24 @piercecountycd.org or Climate & Farming Workshop, (253) 845-9770 x112. Administrative Director Pierce Conservation District, Mason Durfee, Program Specialist Oct 17 6–8 p.m. For more info contact Meeker Creek Channel Sofia Gidlund, Key Peninsula, Gig Harbor, and Restoration and Planting, Chrissy at christinec@pierce- Islands Watershed Program Manager countycd.org. 9 a.m.–12 p.m. For more info Chris Goodman, Water Quality Monitoring Sept 25 contact Melissa melissab@ Agriculture Roundtable Breakfast piercecountycd.org or Program Technician Club, 9 a.m.–10 a.m. For more info (253) 845-9770 x109. Jayme Gordon, Habitat Improvement and contact Chrissy at christinec@ piercecountycd.org. Oct 17 Ball Creek Planting, Environmental Education Program Director Kathryn Mahan, Budget and Fund Sept 26 9 a.m.-12 p.m. For more info Volunteer Water Monitor contact Jayme at jaymeg@ Development Coordinator Workshop, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. For piercecountycd.org or Kristen McIvor, Urban Agriculture and more info contact Isabel at (253) 845-9770 x102. [email protected] or (253) Local Access Program Director 845-9770 x103. Oct 21 Farm Economics, 6-8 p.m. For Ryan Mello, Executive Director Sept 26 Murray Creek Planting, 9 a.m.–12 more info contact Sophia at Isabel Ragland, Water Quality Monitoring p.m. For more info contact Melissa [email protected] Program Manager or (253) 845-9770 x105. at [email protected] or Bill Simper, Habitat Improvement Coordinator (253) 845-9770 x109. Oct 23 Agriculture Roundtable René Skaggs, Farm Planning and Agricultural Sept 26 Breakfast Club, 9 a.m.–10 Assistance Program Director Wollochet Bay Planting, 9 a.m. For more info contact a.m.-12 p.m. For more informa- Chrissy at christinec@ Chris Towe, Habitat Improvement and tion contact Jayme at jaymeg@ piercecountycd.org. Environmental Education Program Coordinator piercecountycd.org or (253) Allan Warren, Community Engagement Manager 845-9770 x102. Oct 24 Clarks Creek Planting, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. For more info contact Jayme at jaymeg@ NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE piercecountycd.org or Puyallup Field Office (253) 845-9770 x102. (253) 845-9272 November Oct 31 Meeker Creek Channel Res- toration and Planting, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. For more info Our Sponsors Nov 5 Rabbit Processing Workshop, contact Melissa at melissab@ 5-7 p.m. For more info piercecountycd.org or The Pierce Conservation District would like to contact Christinec@pierce- (253) 845-9770 x109. thank businesses who have helped sponsor the countycd.org. publication of The Tahoma View. If you or your business would like to become a sponsor please Nov 7 Meeker Creek Channel Nov 19 Mud Management/Winter call (253) 845-9770. Restoration and Planting, Farm Projects, 6 p.m.-8 p.m. 9 a.m.–12 p.m. For more For more info contact Sophia info contact Melissa at at sophiag@piercecountycd. [email protected] org or (253) 845-9770 x105. or (253) 845-9770 x109. Nov 21 Nov 8 Meeker Creek Channel Hay, Layer Hen, and Cattle Restoration and Planting, Farm Tour, 1 p.m.-3 p.m. For 9 a.m.–12 p.m. For more more info contact René at info contact Melissa at [email protected] or [email protected] (253) 845-9770 x106. or (253) 845-9770 x109. Nov 18 Food Hubs: What are They Nov 27 Agriculture Roundtable and Does Pierce County Need Breakfast Club, 9 a.m.-10 a.m. One?, 5 p.m.–8 p.m. For more For more information contact info contact Chrissy at chris- Chrissy at christinec@ [email protected]. piercecountycd.org. Sidebar photo courtesy of Alisa Schindler, Redpoint Photography.

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CONSERVATION ACROSS PIERCE COUNTY Upcoming Events...

• McKinley Avenue Planting • Volunteer Opportunities • Fall Classes

The Tahoma View is published quarterly. Call (253) 845-9770 or email info@ piercecountycd.org to receive this free publication, or if you wish to be removed from the mailing list. | Pierce Conservation District is a subdivision of state government created to promote the conservation of natural resources in Pierce County. | Pierce Conservation District programs are available to all without discrimination.

Editor: Allan Warren

Volunteers remove pavement from McKinley Busi- ness District. Nearly 8,000 sqft of pavement will be replaced with 12 trees and over 600 shrubs on October 3rd. Come join us and get your hands dirty! Photo courtesy of Brian DalBalcon Photographyy.