Invasive plants will be removed from Swan Creek Park and adjacent Pierce County property over the next few weeks as part of the Washington State Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) Urban Forestry Restoration Project. Non-native invasive plants such as English ivy and Himalayan blackberry will be removed by a Puget SoundCorps team starting Aug. 12.
“Trees play an important role in managing stormwater that impacts the quality of our streams, rivers and Puget Sound,” said Micki McNaughton, DNR special project coordinator. “The work by this team to remove invasive plants will help keep our trees healthy, ultimately contributing to healthy waterways in Pierce County, among other benefits.”
The project, administered by the DNR Urban and Community Forest Program, is intended to enhance the urban forest, manage stormwater, and improve air and water quality by improving the health and functionality of trees and forested sites in urban settings.
Invasive non-native plants prevent forested areas from providing the community the full benefits and services of healthy forests by competing for water and nutrients, and in some cases even killing trees. Once the unwelcome plants are gone, native vegetation will be planted in some areas.
Learn moreSwan Creek is one of Pierce County’s focused water quality streams under its Raise the Grade Program. That means additional water quality inspections, invasive weeds removal, and stormwater improvements are currently underway. Contact Lisa Spurrier, project manager, at (253) 798-6158 or visit www.piercecountywa.org/raisethegrade to learn more.
Visit the Metro Parks Tacoma Swan Creek Park webpage or contact Joe Brady, Metro Parks Tacoma natural resources manager, at (253) 305-1014, to learn how to help keep Swan Creek Park healthy in the future.
To learn more about trees and urban forests in our community, visit the Pierce County website and the City of Tacoma website.
You may also visit the Urban Forestry Restoration Project webpage or contact Micki McNaughton at (360) 902-1637 or micki.mcnaughton@dnr.wa.gov to learn more about the project.
The Washington State Urban and Community Forestry Program is made possible through a partnership with the USDA Forest Service. The Puget SoundCorps, a part of the broader Washington Conservation Corps program, is supported through grant funding and Education Awards provided by AmeriCorps.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Teresa Lewis, Pierce County Public Works and Utilities Puyallup River Watershed coordinator(253) 798-2480tlewis1@co.pierce.wa.us
Micki McNaughton, Urban and Community Forestry Program special project coordinator(360) 902-1637 micki.mcnaughton@dnr.wa.gov