Help the Forest at Juanita Woodlands in Kirkland! (West Side) (copy)

Why Your Volunteer Service is Important

Forests need to have diversity in order to be healthy and thrive.  When forests are thriving, they can provide many benefits to our community like filtering pollution, mitigating erosion and storm damage, providing habitat for wildlife, and creating green spaces where people can connect with the outdoors. Aggressive weeds like English Ivy and Himalayan Blackberry were brought to this area for their desirable characteristics of staying green all year round or for their tasty fruits.  These plants, however, have upset the balance that our forests need to survive and thrive. Removing these aggressive weeds and planting native plants can help restore balance to a damaged ecosystem.

Youth

Young people under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.  Any minors under the age of 18 attending the event without a parent or legal guardian must also bring a signed Youth Waiver to event in order to participate. 

What to Expect

The event will begin with a discussion that includes information about King County Parks, the park that you are serving in, why this work is important, tool use, and safety.  King County will supply work gloves, a jug of water, light snacks, all instructions, and tools. Please plan to arrive on time for the start of the event and allow extra time to find parking. The plan for the day is to dig up blackberry sprouts that are starting to re-grow as well as spread protective woodchip mulch around the site to get it ready for planting in the fall.  

What to Bring

• Layers of clothing that can get dirty. Jeans, thick pants or dress/skirt with leggings underneath, any outfit that covers legs is appropriate
• Shorts or capris are not recommended
• Rain jacket and rain pants (or sunblock and a sun hat!)
• Closed–toed shoes are essential. Sturdy sneakers, rain boots or hiking boots are ideal
• Full water bottle and snacks

Meeting Spot: We will be meeting in the park, across the street from 11803 76^th Ave NE

By Bus: Be sure to check current routes and schedules at tripplanner.kingcounty.gov. Keep in mind that some parks may be difficult to access by bus.

Parking: Find legal parking on nearby neighborhood streets

Directions from 405 N.  (This park is just south of Big Finn Hill Park off Juanita Dr. NE)

• Exit 405 at 20A, for NE 116^th
• Keep left at the fork to continue toward NE 116^th
• Turn left onto NE 116^th
• NE 116^th turns slightly right and becomes NE Juanita Dr., which then turns into Juanita Dr. NE
• Continue on Juanita Dr. NE
• Turn left onto NE 123^rd
• Turn left onto 76^th Ave NE
• We will meet opposite 11803 76^th Ave NE, marked on the map with a red star