Satsop River Highway 12 invasive plant removal and habitat connectivity volunteer day

Blackberry removal volunteer day to save native flora and support wildlife passage under Highway 12 in southwest Washington

Saturday, September 18

9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Join Conservation Northwest staff and partners as we meet at the Satsop River bridge to remove blackberries from a key wildlife crossing structure and riparian corridor. We are also helping to restore agricultural land for the community through our partnership with engaged landowners.

Supporting wildlife movement under Highway 12 advances regional connectivity and supports our Cascades to Olympics program.

There are ten volunteer slots available for the day, so please register by emailing bstewart@conservationnw.org.

Once you’ve registered, detailed instructions and directions will be sent.

This event will focus on rescuing native plants and trees from invasive blackberry. One of our dedicated project volunteers specifically crafted this restoration objective. Volunteers will continue to play a vital role in shaping the Satsop project as it moves forward.

If interested, you will need to dress appropriately (long pants and sturdy footwear) and bring any trail cutting gear, loppers, sturdy pruners, gloves or really awesome Indiana Jones style hats that you might have. We will have some equipment on-site for use. Do not forget water, food, medications or any other necessary items. We’ll have a volunteer waiver form for you to sign.

FYI: Singing out of tune while working is allowed, however, singing without passion is strictly prohibited.

We hope to see you there!

Wildlife including elk, fishers, cougars and amphibians are on the move between the Olympic Peninsula, Willapa Hills and Cascade Mountains. Riparian corridors like the Satsop River provide critical habitat connectivity through this fragmented landscape. Clearing brush here is the first step in collaborative plans to facilitate wildlife crossing under Highway 12 and other roadways in the area.

This project and our work to support wildlife passage under Highway 12 is being done coordination with Washington State Department of Transportation and Weed Warriors through generous grants from:

James M. Lea Foundation

Tulalip Cares Fund

Thank you!

Stay tuned—we’ll share more information about this wildlife passage project in Southwest Washington soon. Visit our CASCADES TO OLYMPICS webpage for more background.