The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission announces that it will receive assistance from the Urban Forestry Restoration Program to help improve forest health and visitors’ experiences in Dash Point State Park in Federal Way.
The Urban Forestry Restoration Project provides a six-person Puget SoundCorps crew to successful applicants to help with urban forestry maintenance and restoration tasks that restore the ecological health and functionality of the forest. The crewmembers will be working with Parks staff at Dash Point State Park during the month of May. Like many urban parks, the ecosystems at Dash Point face pressure from surrounding development; especially, the introduction of non-native plants and wear-and-tear on the landscape by high visitor use.
“Dash Point State Park has a number of forest health issues including invasive plants, end-of-life alder and some diseased conifers,” said David Cass, a forester with State Parks. “The Puget SoundCorps crew will be a tremendous help in restoring the park’s forest ecosystem, protecting Puget Sound water quality, improving visitors’ safety and experiences at the park, and making us a better neighbor.”
The Puget SoundCorps crew work will include: removing or treating holly, ivy, blackberry and other invasive plants throughout the park, planting or reseeding disturbed areas with native plants, helping to assess aging and diseased trees that might pose a risk to public safety, removing competing brush around recently planted western red cedars, and preparing trails and campsites for the 2016 camping season.
About the Urban Forestry Restoration Program:
The Washington State Department of Resources administers the Urban Forestry Restoration Program. DNR’s Urban and Community Forestry Program is made possible through a partnership with the USDA Forest Service. Puget SoundCorps is part of the broader Washington Conservation Corps program administered by Washington Department of Ecology. Puget SoundCorps crews work on projects that help restore and protect water quality in Puget Sound. The Washington Conservation Corps is supported through grant funding and Education Awards provided by AmeriCorps.
About Washington State Parks:
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission manages more than 100 state parks and properties totaling approximately 120,000 acres. The Commission provides a variety of recreation opportunities for citizens and provides stewardship protection for a diverse array of natural, cultural and historic resources. State Parks’ statewide programs include long-distance trails, boating safety and winter recreation.
