The city of Bothell will host the Urban Forestry Restoration Project, administered by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources Urban and Community Forestry Program (DNR). It is an opportunity to enhance the capacity of urban forests within Bothell.

Urban forest restoration helps to manage stormwater and increase air and water quality by improving the health and functionality of trees and forested sites in urban settings. The City of Bothell is excited to partner with DNR to complete some needed restoration maintenance.

Over the next several weeks, a Washington Conservation Corps team will remove the English ivy, Himalayan blackberry, and Reed canary grass from previous restoration sites along the Sammamish River and North Creek. These invasive non-native plants prevent forested areas from giving our community the full benefits and services of healthy forests because they compete for water and nutrients and, in some cases, even kill trees. Many undesirable plants that grow in dense thickets also harbor rats and other vermin, creating a public health hazard. Once the unwelcome plants are gone, native vegetation will be planted in its place where necessary.

“Trees provide many benefits to our local community,” said Janet Geer, the City’s Surface Water Program Coordinator. “Some benefits include; reduced flooding, cooler and cleaner air, shade and habitat for streams and local wildlife, and increased property value.”

To learn more about how you can help keep stream banks and forests healthy, contact Janet Geer at 425-486-2768 or janet.geer@ci.bothell.wa.us.

For more information about the Urban Forestry Restoration Project, visit the project online at www.dnr.wa.gov or contact Micki McNaughton at 360-902-1637 or micki.mcnaughton@dnr.wa.gov.

The Washington State Urban and Community Forestry Program is made possible through a partnership with the USDA Forest Service.