2011-02-14 - Training - Extend Deadline for Care of Wetlands and Streams

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t r y4 ILA i i Z City of Tukwila Jim Haggerton, Mc �,t i V P. D epartment of Communty Development Jack Pace, Dire 290= FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Brandon J. Miles Senior Planner City of Tukwila, Department of Community Development (206) 431 -3684, bmiles @ci.tukwila.wa.us SPACE FILLING UP FOR FREE WETLAND /STREAM TRAINING REGISTRATION DEADLINE EXTENDED Tukwila, WA- February 14, 2011: Registration for the City's free training on February 23, 2011, on the care and maintenance of wetlands, streams and their associated buffers is filling up fast, the City announced today. Over a dozen people have signed up for the training and more have signed up for the hands on workshop on February 26` There is still room for people who want to participate and the City is now opening the registration to anyone, regardless of whether they live or own property in the City. The registration deadline has been pushed to noon on Wednesday, February 25 Located adjacent to the Green and Duwamish Rivers, the City of Tukwila contains over 120 acres of wetlands and more than 50,000 linear feet of streams. Wetlands, steams, and their associated buffers are important elements of the natural environment providing habitat, reducing pollution, and helping to reduce urban flooding. Most of our urban streams provide habitat for salmon. The water in these wetlands and streams eventually finds its way to Puget Sound. Protecting the Sound starts at home. The class is aimed specifically at the weekend gardener. Attendees will learn simple tips and tricks that they can utilize on their property to improve the condition of wetland and streams. Some questions that will be answered by the training include: 1. Why are streams and wetlands important? 2. How can invasive vegetation be controlled without the use of chemicals? 3. What native plants would be good to plant near the wetlands and streams? 4. Where do I get native plants and where can I get assistance with my project? The class will be taught by Sandra Whiting, Urban Environmentalist with the City of Tukwila. Whiting is an accomplished gardener, wetland biologist and has many years of experience working on wetland and riparian restoration efforts A majority of funding for this class comes from a Waterworks Grant from the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks. The class will be held February 23, 2011 at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers at Tukwila City Hall (6300 Southcenter Blvd). The first restoration work party for Cottage Creek will be February 26, 2011 at 9AM at City Hall (meet by the flag pole). The class is free, but registration is required. To register or for more information call Brandon Miles, Senior Planner at (206) 431 -3684 or send an email to bmiles @ci.tukwila.wa.us. Registration deadline is February 23 at noon. BM Page 1 of 2 02/17/2011 W: \Grants \Cottaee Creek Grant Tress Release (DRAFT, 2011.02.14.doc 6300 Southcenter Boulevard, Suite #100 Tukwila, Washington 98188 Phone 206 -431- 3670 Fax: 206 431 -3665