Why it matters
Your morning of planting helps bring salmon home.
NSEA volunteer events have brought neighbors together to improve the health of their own watersheds since 1991. Volunteers plant native trees and shrubs along creeks and remove invasive plants like Himalayan blackberry. As those riparian (aka streamside) forests grow, they shade the water and help keep it cold, clean, and clear for salmon.
Find a work party
Pick an event and join us!
Registration is recommended for every work party, and a few events require it because space is limited. Check each listing for details.
What to expect
What happens at a work party
- Check inFollow the signs from the parking area to the bright blue NSEA tent, where a staff member will check you in. Some sites include a short shuttle ride to the work area. The shuttle is wheelchair accessible and seats 13.
- Meet your small group leaderYou’ll join a small group and pick up gloves and tools. Your group leader will show you how to complete the day’s restoration tasks, so you get all the training you need right at the site.
- Get to work!Improve habitat alongside your neighbors. NSEA staff are nearby the whole time to answer questions. Someone usually takes photos of the event; let the photographer know if you’d rather stay out of them.
- Wrap upReturn your tools, drop your gloves in the glove hamper, and catch the shuttle back to parking if your site used one. Most work parties wrap up by noon.
The work
The tasks change with the season and the site.
Planting
Plant native trees and shrubs along creeks. We’ll show you how to set each one up to survive its first summers.
Removing invasives
Pull invasives like blackberry and English ivy so young native plants have room to grow.
Caring for older sites
Spread mulch, weed around past plantings, and free growing trees from their protective cages and blue tubes.
Nursery potting
Pot native trees and shrubs to restock our native plant nursery for future restoration projects.
Good to know
Things for you to remember
What to wear
Work parties happen rain or shine, and you will probably get muddy! Wear layers, sturdy shoes, and long pants you don’t mind getting dirty.
What we provide
Tools, work gloves (sizes XS to XL), instructions, restrooms, water, coffee, tea, and light snacks. Just bring yourself.
Ages
All ages are welcome, and work parties make a great family outing. Volunteers under 18 bring a completed Youth Liability Form, and volunteers under 14 come with an adult.
Running late?
No problem. Staff wait at the sign-in tent until at least 10am, so come join us when you can.
This does not apply to Stream Team or Summer Stewards events.
Need to leave early?
That works too! Tell your small group leader and they’ll show you where to drop your tools and gloves.
This does not apply to Stream Team or Summer Stewards events.
Accessibility
Sites vary, and some involve uneven ground or slopes. We can provide written planting and tool instructions, and we’re glad to help you find an event where you can work safely. Email Sarah at sbrown@n-sea.org.
Join us
Come plant trees with us!
Work parties run year-round, most on Saturday mornings, and registering takes a couple of minutes. We’ll see you at the blue tent.
Questions? Reach our Stewardship Program Manager, Sarah Brown, at sbrown@n-sea.org or 360-715-0283 x109.