Forterra is proud to announce a Community Restoration Grant award to Issaquah Alps Trails Club (IATC).
IATC aims to conserve, educate, and advocate for the land, wildlife, and trails of the Issaquah Alps for present and future generations.
With this funding, IATC will collaborate with Green Issaquah and Gibson Ek High School students to restore a 3,000-square-foot stretch of land with 90 feet of shoreline along Issaquah Creek. The site is an ideal location, open to the public and less than two blocks away from historic downtown Issaquah. It also is a critical environmental area, cooling the waters downstream of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery. The restoration project will serve as a stream buffer supporting restoration of Puget Sound Chinook (listed as a threatened species) habitat along Issaquah Creek. The area has high potential for natural spawning.
IATC volunteers and Gibson Ek High School students will restore the site as a Miyawaki Forest, planting nearly 600 native plants. A Miyawaki forest is a green infrastructure design concept that originates from Japan. Miyawaki forests are high-density, biodiverse forests planted with native species and can grow ten times faster than traditional forests. Gibson Ek High School students will assist in several ways from planting events to interpretive programs and forest maintenance.
With mentorship from IATC, two high school interns will earn stipends to assist in all phases of the project, including research, planning, site and soil preparation, planting, forest stewardship, and the creation of educational signs.
IATC also plan to host at least two schools from underserved communities to teach the Miyawaki forest method and the benefits for salmon recovery. This is a wonderful opportunity to visit the site and nearby educational destinations like Confluence Park and the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery.
Congratulations to Issaquah Alps Trails Club! We are so grateful for the work you do.
