HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-01-11 - Training - Care of Wetlands and Streams on Feb 23 1 ILAh,
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i City of Tukwila Jim Haggerton, Mayor
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v Department of Community Development Jack Pace, Director
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact
Brandon J. Miles
Senior Planner
City of Tukwila, Department of Community Development
(206) 431 -3684, bmiles @ci.tukwila.wa.us
City of Tukwila Offers FREE Training on the Care of Wetlands and Streams
Tukwila, WA- January 11, 2011 -The City of Tukwila is proud to announce that it will offer a
free class for Tukwila residents on the care and maintenance of wetlands, streams and their
associated buffers. The training will be held Wednesday, February 23 from 6:00 PM 9:OOPM
in the Council Chambers at Tukwila City Hall. Participants in the training will have the
opportunity to apply what they learn in class to an ongoing stream restoration effort at Cottage
Creek on the grounds of City Hall.
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 the Puget Sound.
"Salmon restoration and cleaning up Puget Sound starts at home notes Mayor Jim Haggerton.
"This class will provide homeowners and residents the basic understanding of how to be good
stewards for and improve the wetland and stream environments on their property," he added.
James Rasmussen, Coalition Coordinator with the Duwamish Clean Up Coalition has lauded the
City of Tukwila for the proposed program. "Congratulations to Mayor Haggerton and the City
of Tukwila for being proactive on wetland care. If we all do our part we can change the world
(or at least our part of it)
The class is aimed specifically at the weekend gardener. Attendees of the class will learn simple
tips and tricks they can utilize on their property and homes to improve the conditions 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 are some native plants would be good to establish near the wetlands and streams?
4. Where do I get native plants and where can I get assistance with my project?
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6300 Southcenter Boulevard, Suite #100 Tukwila, Washington 98188 Phone 206- 431 -3670
Fax: 206 -431 -3665
The class will be taught by Sandra Whiting, Urban Environmentalist with the City of Tukwila.
Whiting is an accomplished gardener, wetland biologist and has may years of experience
working on wetland and riparian restoration efforts.
A majority of funding for this class is funded by a Waterworks Grant from the King County
Department of Natural Resources and Parks.
"I want to thank King County for their support in this program," noted Mayor Haggerton.
"Without their support we would be unable to host this important program he added.
The class will be held February 23, 2011 from 6:00 PM 9:00 PM in the Council Chambers at
City Hall (6300 Southcenter Blvd). The restoration party for Cottage Creek will be February 26,
2011 from 9:00 AM noon at City Hall (meet by the flag pole).
The class if 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 18 Tukwila residents and/or property owners get priority in
allotted spaces.
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