Halloween Tree Planting In Commencement Bay: Tacoma

ABOUT THIS EVENT:
Join us This Halloween as we plant a "Haunted Forest" in this 6.7 acre project along the tidal portion of Hylebos Creek! Costumes highly encouraged! 

The Hauff Prpperty is part of the Commencement Bay Stewardship Collaborative, which is a Natural Resource Damage Assessment suite of restoration sites around Commencement Bay. Through this collaborative, the Trustees and EarthCorps are committed to ensuring that local salmon, flatfish, and birds can grow and thrive in a healthy habitat. 

THE BASICS:
EarthCorps supplies gloves, tools, water, light refreshments and volunteer education. We will provide everything you need to know about tool use and safety, forest health, information on the park, and the importance of the work you’ll be doing. No prior experience necessary, just come ready to learn something new!
 
FOR YOUR SAFETY AND COMFORT, PLEASE BRING:

• Clothing that can get dirty (because it will!)
• Long pants and a long sleeve shirt (helps protect against prickly plants)
• Sturdy shoes that can handle some mud (closed toed shoes are required: work boots, hiking boots, or running shoes are all fine)
• Sack lunch and snacks
• Full water bottle

 
EarthCorps runs our events rain or shine! Remember to check the weather and bring appropriate layers and raingear/sun wear if needed.
 
WHAT WILL WE BE DOING?
While the exact tasks at hand vary, our projects focus on improving the forests and parks in our local cities. Healthy and thriving forests are vital to our community because they absorb and naturally filter rain water, absorb toxins in the air, produce clean oxygen, provide living spaces for wildlife, and they create a place for people to connect with the outdoors.
 
In order to help create healthy forests, we focus on removing aggressive weeds (like English Ivy or Himalayan Blackberry), maintaining areas where these weeds have been removed, and planting trees and shrubs during the rainy season.
 
GROUPS:
If you are coming as a group, the group leaders are expected to have an active and integral role in our events. Leaders, please make yourself known to EarthCorps staff and arrive early in order to meet your group members.
 
YOUTH:
All unaccompanied volunteers between the ages of 12 and 17 must bring a filled out Youth Waiver the day of the event. Youth under 12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. (Note: minimum age for unaccompanied youth at Kirkland events is 14.)
 
Youth and school groups of all ages are welcomed to attend; leaders should contact the Volunteer Team to complete a group waiver.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS:

• Take I-5 South to exit 137 (WA-99 N/54th Ave E towards Fife/Milton).
• Turn right onto 54^th Ave E
• Continue on 54^th Ave E for 0.8 mi
• Turn right onto 4^th St E
• Take first left onto 55^th Ave E
• 55^th Ave E makes a right turn and becomes 57^th Ave E
• The site will be on your left- it is surrounded by a tall chain-link fence with two locked gates, one on each end of the site
• Drive to the end of this block and park at the second (east) gate in the gravel pull out