Thanks to funding received from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to the City of Kirkland, a Washington Conservation Corps team will be tackling the removal English ivy, Himalayan blackberry, English holly and other invasive plant species from selected areas in Kirkland parks.

Once the unwelcome plants are gone, native vegetation will be planted in its place. The crew will also help to rehabilitate the Northeast 73rd Street rain gardens and will be leading a Martin Luther King Day of Service forest restoration volunteer event at Carillon Woods Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 21. Project and volunteer information can be found at www.greenkirkland.org.

Invasive non-native plants prevent forested areas from providing the full benefits and services of healthy forests by competing for water and nutrients, and in some cases even killing trees. Many undesirable plants that grow in dense thickets also harbor rats and other vermin, creating a public safety hazard.

The work of the Washington Conservation Corps is part of the Urban Forestry Restoration Project, sponsored by the DNR’s Urban and Community Forestry Program, which provides communities the opportunity to enhance the capacity of urban forests to manage storm water and improve air and water quality by improving the health and functionality of trees and forested sites in urban settings.

This work will bring the City of Kirkland closer to meeting the goals outlined in the Green Kirkland Partnership’s 20 Year Forest Restoration Plan.  To learn more about how you can help keep Kirkland parks healthy in the future, contact Sharon Rodman, Green Kirkland Partnership supervisor, at greenkirkland@kirklandwa.gov, or visit the Green Kirkland Partnership’s website at www.greenkirkland.org.