Description
Come join EarthCorps in working at Panther Lake Open Space, a 78.72 acre greenspace which serves as wonderful habitat with a year-round body of water and forested walking trails. Open space trail system around Panther Lake connects to the BPA Trail and the West Campus Trail. Wetland areas such as Panther Lake provide essential wildlife habitat and attractive places for people to relax, stroll and learn about rich natural ecosystems. Volunteers should expect to remove invasive plants and perform restoration site maintenance in an effort to restore this urban forest.
The Basics
EarthCorps supplies gloves, tools, water and snack bars. We will teach you everything you need to know about tool use, safety, forest health, and the importance of the work you will be doing. No experience necessary, just come ready to learn something new! Be sure to sign in at registration when you arrive.
This video may give you a better idea of what to expect.
What will volunteers be doing at the event?
While the exact tasks can 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 filter rain water, produce clean oxygen, provide living spaces for wildlife, and create a place for people to connect with the outdoors.
In order to help create healthy forests, the work can include:
- Removing aggressive weeds (like English Ivy or Himalayan Blackberry)
- Maintaining areas where these weeds have been removed (weeding or spreading mulch)
- Planting trees and shrubs during the rainy season (often ~Oct.-Feb.)
Groups
If you are coming as a group, the group leaders are expected to have an active role in our events. Please get in touch with volunteer@earthcorps.org before the event to make sure everything is in order. On the day of the event, make yourself known to the staff (in bright yellow vests) and arrive early in order to help guide your group members.
Youth Policy
Youth under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or responsible adult. All volunteers between the ages of 14 and 17 that are not with a parent or guardian must bring a filled out Youth Waiverthe day of the event.
Youth and school groups are welcome to attend; leaders should contact the Volunteer Team to take care of all necessary preparations.
Directions
Approximate Address: 450 SW Campus Dr, Federal Way, WA 98023
By Car, from I-5:
- Take Exit 142-B in Federal Way.
- Head West on S. 348th Street. You will cross over Enchanted Parkway and Pacific Highway.
- After passing the park ‘n’ ride on the south side of the road, the road curves north and becomes SW Campus Drive.
- Look for the orange Earth Corps sign and pull into 3rd or 4th entrance into the King County Aquatic Center. Everyone will be meeting at the lot behind the Aquatic Cente
