Volunteers for Outdoor Washington (VOW) Blog

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Hello All,

City of Seattle's Trails Program work party for next Saturday!

June 13 St. Marks Greenbelt

TRAILS RESTORATION

We will be continuing the construction of a rock wall and staircase at the bottom of the first switch back. Great trail work that will last for a long tome lots of fun!

Sponsor Trail Program & GREEN SEATTLE PARTNERSHIP

Time 9:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. Please join us

Meet at The south end of the parking at St. Marks Cathedral.124510th Ave E.

Look for the Trails project here sign.

Contact Jacobo Jimenez (206) 684-0598 or jacobo.jimenez@seattle.gov

Website http://www.cityofseattle.net/parks/Environment/trails/trailsprogram.htm

Be sure to call or email Jacobo if you can come so he will look for you!

Jacobo is going to start some mid week work parties in the summer. Contact the office if you are interested.

VOW I90 Projects

The next big I90 Projects family event will be at Gold Creek Pond and trail on July 25!

Recap of the June 6^th VOW National Trails Day event at Asahel Curtis Trail by Annik Wolfe

It was a good day for trail work. No rain. It was not hot and we worked in the shade.

Everyone worked until they pooped out but had great time. The picnic area section of the Asahel Curtis Nature Trail was cleared and brushed and even the Asahel Curtis monument was given a face lift! Another (mammoth) project was the removal of an old set of rotted stairs replacing it with a regraded gently sloped trail with the addition of a culvert at the end. Also one of the bridge approaches was regraded to keep the bridge free of debris.

The event was topped off with a great picnic of hamburgers, dogs & vegie burgers, salads, fruit, and cookies. Everybody had fun and all spent time at the picnic trading stories. It was a pleasant afternoon and did not get cool until 5PM.

All attendees received a T-shirt and a Northwest Forest day pass.

Lots of thanks to the Mountaineers Foothills Branch in helping with this event!

IRON GOAT TRAIL Happenings and Calendar

Chinook Middle School - IGT Enthusiasm

On May 20th Bob Kelly had the opportunity to talk to over 100 students, at Chinook Middle School, who toured the IGT on June 5th with Oralee Kramer's field trip. He attended five classes during the day and made a presentation titled: The Railroad History of Stevens Pass.

We covered the discovery, building and operation of the GN line. The students learned about switchbacks, snow sheds, the horseshoe tunnel, Wellington avalanche, both long tunnels and current rail operations. Each student will be making a one page report about the trail with photographs as part of a larger assignment. Bob showed them several "then and now" type photos that seemed to amaze them about all the changes. The students were excited about the visit and were loaded with questions about the GN and the trail.

IGT Maintenance Work parties are on some Saturdays in June and the Construction Work parties will be every Wednesday and the “other” Saturdays through the season.

The IGT 2009 Wildflower hikes are scheduled for June 20th, and July 11th. The earlier May 9 hike has been cancelled as there is likely to be few flowers to see due to the late snow.

One IGT 2009 Interpretative hike is scheduled during Archeology week on October 3.

The Iron Goat Trail Volunteer Vacation is one of the 6 volunteer vacations with the American Hiking Society in Washington. The Bureau of Land Management and the Pacific Northwest Trail Association are the other groups in the state working with AHS in their volunteer vacation program. VOW has held an Iron Goat Trail AHS volunteer vacation now for over 10 years and it has become one of the special trail events during the season. As every year, we will stay at the Mountaineers Steven’s pass ski lodge during the week. This years’ volunteer vacation is the week of July 12 through the 17.

VOW has more of the small Iron Goat Trail Stickers for the VOW hardhats. If you would like one for yourself, please contact the office. We will mail you one for $1 or 3 for $2. VOW has some Iron Goat Trail logo “Pin Back” buttons. Check with the office if you would like one

Plans are beginning to come together for an end of season get together and slide show at the REI main Store in Seattle. A meeting room has been reserved for Tuesday, November 10. More details later.

Web Tools (or Toys?)

Shelly Shellabarger the Volunteer Program Coordinator for City of Bellevue, sent this note about the new national volunteering web site

Check out this new National volunteering website. You can sign up for updates on national calls to service, and post your volunteer opportunities online.

You Can Help Renew America

President Obama is calling on all Americans to join together in a sustained, collaborative, and focused effort to address the nation's most challenging problems.

Use this site to register projects that will bring people together and engage them in service to strengthen your community and our nation as a whole.

Benefits of Registering Your Project

Millions of Americans will be looking for opportunities to answer the President's call to service.

Listed projects will receive national and local media attention.

Engaged and concerned citizens will have ready access and increased awareness to your cause.

Cool Music

Music over the internet has been a hot topic and eventually became a matter of concern. Record companies and performers have actively monitored their rights of compensation for their work.

Not all performers have sought such control over their work. Many musicians view the internet as a way to get their music out to fans and gain more following of their art.

Michael Fleck and Galena Reiter of Blue-Ize have put some of their music in mp3 format on their web site http://www.undefinedmusic.org/index.html including a song Michael wrote in the Skykomish Cascadia Inn bar a couple of years ago on the 1910 Wellington avalanche disaster. One of the trail heads on the Iron Goat Trail is at the Wellington town site. The title of the song is “The Wellington Train Disaster”

If you want to hear the song off your computer you will need to download it.

A lot of people know how to do this, but in case you are not sure in MS Windows:

Go to the www.undefinedmusic.org web site

Find the music button on the left side of the page, click on it

Find the button on the bottom of the page for “the Wellington Train Disaster” song.

Put the mouse arrow over the button and use the RIGHT click function of the mouse

A screen will come up and choose “save target as” with a left click

A regular “Save as” screen will appear and choose somewhere to put the file.

After the file has downloaded go to the file and click on it. Usually Windows media player will come up and the song will start.

Other Happenings,

MT. BAKER-SNOQUALMIE NATIONAL FOREST

Economic Recovery Projects Benefit Forest Roads and Watershed and Ecosystem Restoration

EVERETT, WA, June 4, 2009 – Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest will receive $5.59 million of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds to maintain and repair roads and bridges, decommission and store roads, and upgrade culverts to enhance drainage in watersheds. “This is very good news for our local communities and the Puget Sound ecosystem,” said Forest Supervisor Rob Iwamoto.

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced 106 projects Tuesday, funded at more than $228 million, located on Forest Service land in 31 states. “These road maintenance projects will provide for public health and safety, resource protection, and access to lands in the National Forests,” said Vilsack. “The rehabilitation of roads will improve water quality by reducing sediments in nearby streams and help to restore natural resources and habitat for fish in areas impacted by deterioration and erosion of road surfaces.”

The Greenway Trust is partnering up with REI to present the “REI in the Greenway Series” throughout the month of June. Join the Greenway Trust for mid-week clinics on recreational opportunities in the Greenway and then again on the weekends for service projects at popular trails like Little Si and Kamikaze Falls.

Get to one or all, and give back to your recreation areas! Come celebrate recreation in the Greenway with us—visit http://www.mtsgreenway.org/volunteer/events/rei-in-the-greenway for more information.

For groups interested in doing team bonding outdoors, the Greenway Trust is offering mid-week, customized volunteer projects on a variety of restoration and trail projects, including Issaquah Creek, Lake Sammamish State Park, Kamikaze Falls, and Little Si. Dig in the dirt, construct structures, build new trail, and hang out with co-workers, friends, and family. Contact them for more details and to register your team.

Also, there will be more information about a new trail project on Granite Mountain. Projects include hiking supplies to the top of the mountain in June (a great summer conditioner!) and cleaning up the bottom section of the trail in July.

More information available at www.mtsgreenway.org/volunteer .

The next Mountaineers Foothills Branch Meeting

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Open to the public. No charge. All are welcome!

Doors open at 6:30 for set-up and socializing.

Branch up-dates at 7:00 pm,

Program starts at 7:15 pm.

King County Library Systems (KCLS) Service Center Note: This is not the Issaquah Public Library.

960 Newport Way NW

Issaquah, WA 98027

Program: Long-distance hiking in Europe, skiing in Europe, and hiking in Northeast US.
Patti Polinsky will present highlights from numerous Mountaineers outings.

The Mountaineers Foothills Branch has requested this dance announcement conducted with Bellevue Parks and the Tracks program.

Come celebrate the Eastside's newest social dance venue!!

Great Eastside location just off 1-90! Beautiful wooden dance floor! Fantastic dance music!

Friday, June 19, 2009

Co-sponsored by Bellevue Parks and Recreation, City of Bellevue, the Tracks program, and The Foothills Branch of The Mountaineers

WHERE: South Bellevue Community Center, 4509 SE Newport Way, Bellevue, WA

From I-90, take exit 11 (if heading West) or 11A (if heading East) onto 150th Ave SE.

Go south on 150th Ave SE (0.8 miles), turn right onto SE Newport Way.

Go 0.2 miles and turn left into the Community Center driveway. Park at the top of the hill.

WHEN: 8:00- 9:00 pm: Swing Dance Lesson with Ari Levitt (Level: Beginner/Intermediate)

9:00-11:30 pm: Dance to a wonderful mix of Swing, Waltz, Latin, Ballroom, Blues, and more.

COST: $10.00 ALL AGES WELCOME! GREAT FOR SINGLES, COUPLES, & FAMILIES!

Shelly Shellabarger, the Volunteer Program Coordinator with the City of Bellevue sent the following announcement on this upcoming training

Social Networking 101 Training

June 23 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Crossroads Community Center

This Social Networking panel will focus on the basics (nuts and bolts) of social media and how it works. In addition, attendees can learn how social networking can be utilized by community, non-profits and other agencies to increase exposure, as well as to expand marketing and outreach. Panelists from the social networking field with provide valuable information and answer questions in an interactive workshop. Resource materials will also be available. There is no fee, but RSVPs are required. RSVP to volunteer@bellevuewa.gov.

DIRECTIONS TO CROSSROADS COMMUNITY CENTER

Our Address:

16000 NE 10th St.

Bellevue, WA 98008

Ph: (425) 452-4874

Hours: 9am-8pm Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm Saturday, closed Sunday

Burien Parks has their volunteer schedule for Seahurst, Shorewood, and Eagle Landing parks at http://www.seahurstpark.org/volunteer.html . The next ivy out work party is on Saturday, June 20 in Shorewood Park.

The Lake City Chamber of Commerce is holding “Pioneer Days” the first weekend of August. We hope to have a VOW booth at the Street Festival beginning at 10:00. Contact the office if you would like to help. The Chamber is also looking for volunteers for 4 hour shifts, contact Diane Haugen 206 363 3287 chamber@lakecitychamber.org

Vow's office is located in Lake City at 12345 NE 30th Ave Suite I in the same building as the Lake City Chamber of Commerce. The office is usually available for use by our members for small meetings. Also, the larger Lake City Chamber of Commerce conference room is available for free with prior reservations. Those familiar with Lake City will find the office a couple of buildings over from Dick's Drive In at Lake City Way and NE 30th.

Volunteer to help everyone enjoy the outdoors,

Richard Botts
Volunteers for Outdoor Washington
12345 NE 30th Ave Suite I, Seattle, WA 98125

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Hello All,

City of Seattle's Green Seattle Partnership work party for next Saturday!

June 6 Frink Park

Join in for National Trails Day with the Green Seattle Partnership to spruce-up our local Frink Park trail system. Our trails are getting lots of use and need some attention. Your helping hands can put down a fresh layer of gravel and clear the way of debris and rough spots. If we have extra energy we can continue forest restoration efforts and mulch our new native plantings.
Time: 12:00 am - 3:30 pm Saturday June 6th
Where to meet: Gather by the Parks Kiosk at the intersection of Lake Washington Blvd South and Frink Place (NW corner of 34th and Jackson) Look for signs!
What to bring: Your favorite gloves, long pants and heavy footwear. We will provide gloves (if you don’t have any) as well as all the tools you’ll need. Don’t forget to bring a snack and something to drink. See you there!
Address and directions to site: 400 Lake Washington Blvd South

See website for directions. www.FrinkPark.org

Tip: the project site is NOT near the lake shore.

Where to park: Several pull offs along Lake Washington Blvd or down at Leschi Park proper.

VOW I90 Projects

June 6^th VOW NATIONAL TRAILS DAY EVENT AT ASAHEL CURTIS TRAIL

Volunteers for Outdoor Washington is holding a National Trails Day event in partnership with Mountaineers Foothills Branch and Mt Baker Snoqualmie National forest. The event will run from 8:30am to 4:00 pm and will be followed by a free picnic.

All the volunteers will receive a free T-shirt.
The trail maintenance will consist of installing culverts, repairing drainage, removing existing stairs to establish a new trail grade and cutting back some fallen trees.

Volunteers should bring a lunch, water, gloves and wear long pants, hiking boots and long-sleeved shirts.

Hard hats and tools will be provided by VOW and the Forest Service.

Go to the June VOW calendar, National Trails Day I-90 to sign up: http://www.trailvolunteers.org/calendar.asp?mo=6&org=vow or call Annik (206-368-2688).

Directions to work party parking:
Drive I-90 East to Exit 47.

At the stop sign turn LEFT.

Drive to T in the road and turn RIGHT and go 1/4 mile.

Park at the parking lot on the right. This is the picnic area parking lot (NOT the trailhead parking lot). If you have any questions contact Annik Wolfe at annikw@gmail.com or 206-368-2688.

IRON GOAT TRAIL Happenings and Calendar

JOHN D. SPELLMAN Historic Preservation Awards

The award ceremony for the King County Executive's John D. Spellman Award for Achievement in Historic Preservation was held at Meadowbrook Farm Interpretive Center in North Bend, WA on May 29, 2009. The main partners in the Scenic Interpretive Site received the award in the Interpretation category. The award was presented by Congressman Dave Reichert, District 8 to representatives of Volunteers for Outdoor Washington, Washington State Department of Transportation, King County Road Services Division, United States Forest Service, and the Stevens Pass Greenway for their "Exemplary achievement in creating the Iron Goat Trail Interpretive Site at Scenic, Washington."

Pictures of the IGT award event are on page 4 of a temporary web site from Ned Ahrens, photographer, King County Department of Transportation that will be open for several weeks at:

http://your.kingcounty.gov/photocenter/09SpellmanAwards/Webpages/gallery-01.html

Tom Davis identified the people in the IGT award group picture as:

Left to Right: Judy Lorenzo, WSDOT; Bobbi Garver, WSDOT, Mike Sharpe, VOW; Congressman Dave Reichert; Ruth Ittner, VOW; Tom Davis, USFS, Skykomish RD; Paul Mahre, WSDOT; Janet Wall, VOW; Linda Dougherty, King County Road Services Division; and Henry Sladek, Stevens Pass Greenway and VOW.

Iron Goat Trail Project Committee activities for May.

From Dennis Evans, The Iron Goat Trail coordinator is the following update:

It’s been a busy month on the Iron Goat trail.

Crew Leader Refresher Training was conducted on May 9. During that work party, we installed or began installing two culverts, built a reroute on the Windy Point Crossover to bypass a set of steps that had never been very satisfactory, and began the arduous chore of removing a root wad from the middle of the trail near the twin tunnels adit.

On May 16, 30 and 31, at our request, Washington Trails Association held work parties to help us with trail cleanup after the winter. During those work parties, volunteers cleaned debris from the trail, installed another culvert, finished root wad cleanup, and built a reroute around a sinkhole at wall #4 on the upper grade. On May 31, WTA fielded a work crew of 27 volunteers. About half of them went down into the new section of trail currently under construction and helped with construction.

With the help of WTA, we are further along in spring trail cleanup than we have been for some time at this time of year. Many thanks to WTA for their generous support.

The work crew on May 30 was composed primarily of volunteers from the Boeing Alpine Club. We also thank Boeing Alpine club for their support.

Wednesdays in May were strictly construction work, as all Wednesdays will be throughout the year. Construction this year will be especially challenging, and we welcome all comers.

IGT Maintenance Work parties are on most Saturdays in May and the Construction Work parties will be every Wednesday through the season.

There will be a special VOW -IGT work party event on National Trails Day June 6, 2009. The event will include a (free) after work party BBQ/Celebration in the town of Skykomish.

VOW is working with the town of Skykomish with their Centennial Celebration on June 5 -7. This is the same weekend as the National Trails Day event. VOW will have a booth in the town as well as food sales to raise a little money. A special picnic area has been planned for the free National Trails Day after work party food and celebration.

The IGT 2009 Wildflower hikes are scheduled for June 20th, and July 11th. The earlier May 9 hike has been cancelled as there is likely to be few flowers to see due to the late snow.

One IGT 2009 Interpretative hike is scheduled during Archeology week on October 3.

Plans are beginning to come together for an end of season get together and slide show at the REI main Store in Seattle. A meeting room has been reserved for Tuesday, November 10. More details later.

Volunteer!

There is a lot of volunteer effort to work on trails and natural habitat and much of it is not actually on the trail or even the on the land. Record keeping, publicity, answering inquiries, maintaining an office, finding a way to fund administrative expenses are all essential aspects of any non profit volunteer effort.

VOW’s mission is:

VOW trains our volunteers to be stewards of the environment. We partner with land managers to build trails, restore habitat, and preserve Washington State's rich heritage.

Working with other groups is always rewarding to learn what they have developed that is successful and pass along what we have observed over the last 25 years.

If you would like to help out in VOW’s mission beyond the on the ground activities, contact the office at info@trailvolunteers.org . We are definitely looking for help with publicity, office staffing, the web page, special projects, and database.

Other Happenings,

Fees Waived on Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest on National Trails Day!

Saturday is National Trails Day, and outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest for free.

The Forest Service is waiving fees at National Forest recreation day-use fee sites, which normally require a $5 fee per vehicle or recreation pass, such as the Northwest Forest Pass, Interagency Annual Pass, Interagency Senior Pass, Interagency Access Pass, Golden Age, or Golden Access Passport.

June 6 marks the 17th annual National Trails Day. People can join the celebration by enjoying a hike at a favorite trail or by participating in a planned volunteer activity such as a trail work project or dedication. The United States has about 200,000 miles of community, state, and federal trails, according to the American Hiking Society’s website. The website lists more than a thousand National Trails Day events planned across the country. For more information or to find an event near you, visit www.americanhiking.org/NTD.aspx .

Revenue from recreation fees are used to maintain the facilities and services associated with trails and other outdoor recreation sites. In 2008, recreation fee sites, including campgrounds and cabin rentals, generated approximately $8 million in the Pacific Northwest for the Forest Service in Washington and Oregon. Many of these dollars funded trail maintenance and other recreation projects completed by youth crews or were combined with money from grants or partnerships to fund larger projects. To see how these funds were used, visit: www.fs.fed.us/r6/passespermits/accomplishments .

More information available at www.mtsgreenway.org/volunteer .

The VOW office has received some free passes for a screening of Sam Mendes’ first comedic film AWAY WE GO on Tuesday, June 9 at Uptown Cinemas, 511 Queen Anne Avenue, Seattle. The movie is scheduled to open on June 12 in Seattle. It is about a couple who is expecting their first child travel around the U.S. in order to find a perfect place to start their family. Along the way, they have misadventures and find fresh connections with an assortment of relatives and old friends who just might help them discover "home" on their own terms for the first time. We do not know anything about this film so we cannot recommend it, but we do have free passes.

The last time VOW received free passes from Uptown Cinema was for the screening of a certain wildlife film, “March of the Penguins” (yes that “March of the Penguins”) which was a lot of fun. Contact the office if you would like a pair of tickets, first come first serve. THIS IS NEXT TUESDAY.

The next Mountaineers Foothills Branch Meeting

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Open to the public. No charge. All are welcome!

Doors open at 6:30 for set-up and socializing.

Branch up-dates at 7:00 pm,

Program starts at 7:15 pm.

King County Library Systems (KCLS) Service Center Note: This is not the Issaquah Public Library.

960 Newport Way NW

Issaquah, WA 98027

The program will feature local hikes from a variety of sources. More details next week.

Shelly Shellabarger, the Volunteer Program Coordinator with the City of Bellevue sent the following announcement on this upcoming training

Social Networking 101 Training

June 23 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Crossroads Community Center

DIRECTIONS TO CROSSROADS COMMUNITY CENTER

Our Address:

16000 NE 10th St.

Bellevue, WA 98008

Ph: (425) 452-4874

Hours: 9am-8pm Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm Saturday, closed Sunday

Volunteer to help everyone enjoy the outdoors,

Richard Botts
Volunteers for Outdoor Washington
12345 NE 30th Ave Suite I, Seattle, WA 98125

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Hello All,

City of Seattle's Trails Program work party for next Saturday!

May 30th Llandover Woods

TRAILS RESTORATION WORK PARTY

We will be doing some routine maintenance along with some trail improvements. Anyone can help and have great time - Tools & gloves will be provided...

Trail Program& GREEN SEATTLE PARTNERSHIP

Time 9:30 a.m.- 230 p.m.

Meet at the main parking lot off of NW 145th St. and 3rd Ave. NW, look for "Trails Project Here sign".

Contact Jacobo Jimenez (206) 684-0598 or jacobo.jimenez@seattle.gov

http://www.cityofseattle.net/parks/Environment/trails/trailsprogram.htm

Be sure to call or email Jacobo if you can come so he will look for you!

VOW I90 Projects

June 6^th VOW NATIONAL TRAILS DAY EVENT AT ASAHEL CURTIS TRAIL

Volunteers for Outdoor Washington is holding another National Trails Day event in partnership with Mountaineers Foothills Branch and Mt Baker Snoqualmie National forest. The event will run from 8:30am to 4:00 pm and will be followed by a free picnic.

Volunteers should bring a lunch, water, gloves and wear long pants, hiking boots and long-sleeved shirts.

Directions to work party parking:
Drive I-90 East to Exit 47.

At the stop sign turn LEFT.

Drive to T in the road and turn RIGHT and go 1/4 mile.

Park at the parking lot on the right. This is the picnic area parking lot (NOT the trailhead parking lot). If you have any questions contact Annik Wolfe at annikw@gmail.com or 206-368-2688.

IRON GOAT TRAIL Happenings and Calendar

King County JOHN D. SPELLMAN Historic Preservation Award

Volunteers For Outdoor Washington’s Iron Goat Trail will be one of the recipients. The King County Preservation Program event will take place this Friday May 29 at Meadowbrook Farm, near North Bend. The following news release link describes the award.
http://www.kingcounty.gov/exec/news/release/2009/May/20preservation.aspx

All members and friends of Volunteers for Outdoor Washington (VOW) are invited to attend. This is a big honor so if you're free please come celebrate this Iron Goat Trail and Volunteers for Outdoor Washington achievement. It begins at 10:00 am and is over at noon.

For the directions:
http://www.meadowbrookfarmpreserve.org/directions.html

The new Iron Goat Trail Brochure (actually about the same as the old Iron Goat Trail brochure) is in the VOW office. If you would like a copy or several to give out, contact the office info@trailvolunteers.org.

IGT Maintenance Work parties are on most Saturdays in May and the Construction Work parties will be every Wednesday through the season.

One IGT 2009 Interpretative hike is scheduled during Archeology week on October 3.

VOW has more of the small Iron Goat Trail Stickers for the VOW hardhats. If you would like one for yourself, please contact the office. We will mail you one for $1 or 3 for $2. VOW will be also receiving some Iron Goat Trail logo “Pin Back” buttons this week. Check with the office if you would like one

Plans are beginning for an end of season get together at the REI main Store in Seattle sometimes around the second week in November, More details later.

Cool Connections

Volunteers for Outdoor Washington will be updating its web page soon, anyone wishing to help and help is needed, please contact the office info@trailvolunteers.org or 206 517 3019. We are thinking of adding a link page listing all the organizations volunteering on trails in the area. If you have a favorite organization or trail, send it and it can be part of the listing. There’s work to be done on trails and it’s good to recognize organizations and get some bodies out there doing it

Other Happenings,

Hiking and camping season opens Memorial Day on Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

Hiking and camping season opens this Memorial Day weekend, and while memories of winter’s storms may seem a distant past, many favorite trails are still unavailable. Despite snow, all campgrounds on the forest will be open except for Denny Creek, Middle Fork and Tinkham in the Snoqualmie Ranger District, and Miller River Group in the Skykomish Ranger District. Low elevation areas such as Denny Creek and trails along the Mountain Loop are still under snow.

“Deep snow is still found at many popular recreation sites, roads and trails around the forest,” said Gary Paull, trails and wilderness specialist for the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. “Visitors should exercise caution when hiking and camping in the forest. Keep aware of your surroundings, hot sun may weaken large snow cornices on mountain ridges causing them to collapse and start a slide,” he said. Snow covered trails can cause confusion and hikers can get lost, added Paull.

View the accessibility of trails and roads affected by storm damage at http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/conditions/may-2009-status-report.shtml . Current trail and road conditions are updated at http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/conditions/ .

Reserve a campground on the National Recreation Reservation System at www.recreation.gov . Visit HooDoo to find a forest campsite and check availability at http://www.hoodoo.com/Mount_Baker-Snoqualmie_national_forest.htm. For campground questions call Rhonda Dow at 360-691-1841. The Northwest Avalanche Center can advise visitors of avalanche danger at http://www.nwac.us/ or 206-526-6677.

May is bicycling month. REI Flagship Store and the Cascade Bicycle Club have some events through the month. Check out this and the other free outdoor oriented events for the Flagship store at http://www.rei.com/stores/store_events.jsp?store=11

The next Mountaineers Foothills Branch Meeting

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Open to the public. No charge. All are welcome!

Doors open at 6:30 for set-up and socializing.

Branch up-dates at 7:00 pm,

Program starts at 7:15 pm.

King County Library Systems (KCLS) Service Center Note: This is not the Issaquah Public Library.

960 Newport Way NW

Issaquah, WA 98027

Alan Bauer, Mountaineers Books author and photographer, will present slides and hiking tales at the next Foothills Branch membership meeting on Thu. May 28. Bauer will talk about his latest day-hiking guide, “Day hiking in the Central Cascades.” Books will be for sale by cash or check only.

The Greenway Trust is partnering up with REI to present the “REI in the Greenway Series” throughout the month of June. Join the Greenway Trust for mid-week clinics on recreational opportunities in the Greenway and then again on the weekends for service projects at popular trails like Little Si and Kamikaze Falls.

More information available at www.mtsgreenway.org/volunteer .

Shelly Shellabarger, the Volunteer Program Coordinator with the City of Bellevue sent the following announcement on this upcoming training

Social Networking 101 Training

June 23 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Crossroads Community Center

DIRECTIONS TO CROSSROADS COMMUNITY CENTER

Our Address:

16000 NE 10th St.

Bellevue, WA 98008

Ph: (425) 452-4874

Hours: 9am-8pm Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm Saturday, closed Sunday

Volunteer to help everyone enjoy the outdoors,

Richard Botts
Volunteers for Outdoor Washington
12345 NE 30th Ave Suite I, Seattle, WA 98125

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Hello All,

City of Seattle's Trails Program work party for next Saturday!

May 23rd Camp Long

TRAILS RESTORATION WORK PARTY

This 68 acre forest has a lot of great trails accessible to every one. The trail work you help us with will have an immediate impact and last for years to come!

Your neighborhood park needs you.

Bring water, please! - Tools & gloves will be provided...

Sponsor Seattle Trail Program & GREEN SEATTLE PARTNERSHIP

Time 9:30a.m.- 230 p.m.

Meet at the main parking lot off of SW Brandon St., look for "Trails Project Here sign".

Contact Jacobo Jimenez (206) 684-0598 or jacobo.jimenez@seattle.gov

Website http://www.cityofseattle.net/parks/Environment/trails/trailsprogram.htm

Be sure to call or email Jacobo if you can come so he will look for you!

June 6^th NATIONAL TRAILS DAY EVENT AT ASAHEL CURTIS TRAIL

Volunteers should bring a lunch, water, gloves and wear long pants, hiking boots and long-sleeved shirts.

Directions to work party parking:
Drive I-90 East to Exit 47.

At the stop sign turn LEFT.

Drive to T in the road and turn RIGHT and go 1/4 mile.

Park at the parking lot on the right. This is the picnic area parking lot (NOT the trailhead parking lot). If you have any questions contact Annik Wolfe at annikw@gmail.com or 206-368-2688.

IRON GOAT TRAIL Happenings and Calendar

The new Iron Goat Trail Brochure (actually about the same as the old Iron Goat Trail brochure) is in the VOW office. If you would like a copy or several to give out, contact the office info@trailvolunteers.org.

IGT Maintenance Work parties are on most Saturdays in May and the Construction Work parties will be every Wednesday through the season.

The special Email IGT trail update & work party location info list is up and running. Reply to info@trailvolunteers.org if you would like to be included

There will be a special VOW -IGT work party event on National Trails Day June 6, 2009. The event will include a (free) after work party BBQ/Celebration in the town of Skykomish.

VOW is working with the town of Skykomish with their Centennial Celebration on June 5 -7. This is the same weekend as the National Trails Day event. VOW will have a booth in the town as well as food sales to raise a little money. A special picnic area has been planned for the free National Trails Day after work party food and celebration.

The IGT 2009 Wildflower hikes are scheduled for June 20th, and July 11th. The earlier May 9 hike has been cancelled as there is likely to be few flowers to see due to the late snow.

One IGT 2009 Interpretative hike is scheduled during Archeology week on October 3.

The 4Culture Heritage program “Industry” tourism brochure has a section on the Iron Goat Trail VOW has these brochures in the office. Let us know if you would like a copy

Plans are beginning for an end of season get together at the REI main Store in Seattle sometimes around the second week in November, More details later.

Cool Connections

King County Conservation District

King County Conservation District has a volunteer event program that is coordinated by Adam Jackson. They have a Wetland Plant Cooperative nursery where volunteer hours (with them) donated can be exchanged for plant material. For every hour donated you can receive $10 in plant material. So if you are ever in need of plants for projects please contact Adam to set up a work party for you or your group.

The district also has an event program with the Green Seattle Partnership on the Longfellow Creek Legency Trail in West Seattle. The next work party is on June 20^th.

Adam Jackson

Volunteer Coordinator

King Conservation District

volunteer@kingcd.org

Phone: (425) 282-1908

Cell: (206) 890-4722

For more information about the volunteer program please see the webpage:

http://www.kingcd.org/pro_vol.htm

Flash Volunteer

Volunteers for Outdoor Washington participated in last weekends Earthshare “Day in the Park” event at Golden Gardens and had a chance to talk with Flashvolunteer, a new local volunteer organization that is due to launch this summer. VOW is excited about this group and hopes to partner with them in the future.

Below is from their website:

Discover. Connect. Make better.

Flash Volunteer is a local Seattle nonprofit that seeks to inspire neighborhood-focused volunteerism through the use of user-friendly, barrier-free, online tools that connect volunteers to neighborhoods, nonprofits to volunteers and people to projects.

Benefits to individuals:

One-time volunteer opportunities for issues you care about, in the neighborhoods you live and work in.

Easy registration. Complete your profile and you are ready to go.

Become a micro volunteer manager with tools to plan and organize your own local volunteer activity

Connect with fellow volunteers after each event online and in person

FV identifies events that fit your interests and "pushes" them to you through your personal volunteer homepage. Never search again!

Wake up Saturday morning with no plans? FV has last minute volunteer opportunities and will text them to you on your couch!

Benefits to Nonprofits, Community Groups and Local Government:

Access to a large pool of engaged volunteers

No cost

Use of the innovative Flash Volunteer networking platform to recruit, communicate with, organize and thank volunteers

Partnership in FlashVolunteer.org neighborhood outreach efforts

Feedback on past events and access to metrics to help plan future ones

Last-minute, "on demand" event support from local volunteers

Ideal for understaffed groups that rely on volunteerism to thrive

More information is on their facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Flash-Volunteer/75272433226?ref=ts

Other Happenings,

The next Mountaineers Foothills Branch Meeting

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Open to the public. No charge. All are welcome!

Doors open at 6:30 for set-up and socializing.

Branch up-dates at 7:00 pm,

Program starts at 7:15 pm.

King County Library Systems (KCLS) Service Center Note: This is not the Issaquah Public Library.

960 Newport Way NW

Issaquah, WA 98027

More information available at www.mtsgreenway.org/volunteer .

Mount Rainer National Park

Nicholas Abel, the Assistant Volunteer Coordinator at Mount Rainer National Park has sent the May 2009 Volunteer Newsletter. Below are some excerpts:

Volunteer Coordinator Positions

Botany Volunteer Coordinator

Your job will be to coordinate projects in the park's Natural and Cultural Resources programs! Mount Rainier is looking for an engaging and energetic individual to recruit, coordinate, train, and lead citizen volunteers to assist with projects including greenhouse management, seed collection, revegetation, and exotic species control. We are looking for someone with leadership skills and, ideally, some experience in botany. This is a unique, exciting, and brand new program. Come be an important part of our volunteer management team at Mount Rainier National Park !

Maintenance Volunteer Coordinator

You will recruit, coordinate, train, and lead citizen volunteers to assist with projects including back country maintenance, the rehabilitation of historic WPA-era rock walls, wilderness cleanup, spring snow shoveling, campground opening, wayside installation and removal, and restoration of the historic Longmire Campground.

Volunteer Teams

We also have a number of volunteer teams that we are hiring for the summer. These teams require a much shorter commitment of time, sometimes only a day. So even if you can’t afford to volunteer for months at a time, contact us about getting on the mailing list for one of our volunteer teams. You can contact Kevin Bacher at kevin_bacher@nps.gov or nicholas_abel@nps.gov if you’re interested. Teams include…

Citizen Science Team: Be a scientist! As a Citizen Science Team member you will conduct field surveys and research throughout the park. Tasks may include monitoring amphibian species, soundscapes, wetlands, or archaeological resources.

Historic Landscape Retoration Team: Help maintain and restore our beautiful WPA-era rock walls and other historic structures in the park.

Historic (Costumed) Interpretations: Be part of this exciting program in which volunteers in historical consumes interact with park visitors, acting out the parts of historic figures from the parks past. It'll be a blast (from the past)!

If any of these sound interesting contact Kevin Bacher or Nick Abel at kevin_bacher@nps.gov or nicholas_abel@nps.gov

Upcoming Events

June 2-6 – Interpretation Training
We are holding an Interpretation Training event. Details and updates are being posted as they become available. A draft schedule is available here .

June 6 – National Tails Day
A variety of projects, many still to be announced, will be available for volunteers on this day. Keep checking the volunteer blog for more info.

June 13 – Trails Project by MRNPA
The Mount Rainier National Park Associates are hosting a trails project on Saturday, June 13th, for more info visit http://www.mount-rainier.org/index.php?action=projects .

June 27 – Meadow Rover Training
Training for Meadow Rovers will be held on Saturday, June 27. More details will be coming soon on the Rainier Volunteers blog.

Volunteer to help everyone enjoy the outdoors,

Richard Botts
Volunteers for Outdoor Washington
12345 NE 30th Ave Suite I, Seattle, WA 98125

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Hello All,

City of Seattle's Trails Program work party for next Saturday!

May 16^th Madrona Woods Ravine

TRAILS RESTORATION WORK PARTY

We could use your help to with the continuation of the trails improvements in this park. Our efforts will be focused on extending east into the ravine helping to provide a sustainable trail for tears to come.

Trails Program & GREEN SEATTLE PARTNERSHIP

Time 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Meet at Small parking area across the street at Madrona beach. Look for the trails project sign.

Contact Jacobo Jimenez (206) 684-0598 orjacobo.jimenez@seattle.gov

Website http://www.cityofseattle.net/parks/Environment/trails/trailsprogram.htm

Be sure to call or email Jacobo if you can come so he will look for you!

May 16^th Day in the Park, Golden Gardens with Earthshare of Washington

On May 16th, Seattle's all-volunteer annual park clean-up is back this year with volunteers removing invasive plant species, cleaning waterways and beaches, and rebuilding trails.

Calling all volunteers: 200 needed to help us care for Seattle’s Golden Gardens park. Come out and have fun and make a difference in your community!

We'll have coffee in the morning and then tackle some of the bigger projects that need to be taken care of in Golden Gardens.

Click here for the details or to sign up.

IRON GOAT TRAIL Happenings and Calendar

The new Iron Goat Trail Brochure (actually about the same as the old Iron Goat Trail brochure) is in the VOW office. If you would like a copy or several to give out, contact the office info@trailvolunteers.org.

The first 2009 Forest Service contract IGT maintenance work party using Washington Trails will be this Saturday, May 16. Several IGT regulars will be there to help and monitor this batch of IGT “newbies” to assure the correct safety, quality, and standards of IGT work parties are sustained.

IGT Maintenance Work parties will start on most Saturdays in May and the Construction Work parties will be every Wednesday through the season.

One IGT 2009 Interpretative hike is scheduled during Archeology week on October 3.

The Iron Goat Trail National Trails Day work party/Skykomish celebration has been included as one of the eighteen AHS national trails day events listed (so far) for Washington state on the American Hiking Society's "find an event" link. http://www.americanhiking.org/NTDSearchResult.aspx?sId=47

VOW has more of the small Iron Goat Trail Stickers for the VOW hardhats. If you would like one for yourself, please contact the office. We will mail you one for $1 or 3 for $2.

The 4Culture Heritage program “Industry” tourism brochure has a section on the Iron Goat Trail VOW has these brochures in the office. Let us know if you would like a copy

Bob Kelly is working on some IGT logo pin back buttons that will be available on the June 6 National Trails day event. I am having some “test” IGT embroidered logo twill baseball caps made and a preview will be there also.

Plans are beginning for an end of season get together at the REI main Store in Seattle sometimes around the second week in November, More details later.

Caution Soapbox Ahead!

Volunteers are a critical part of any non-profit organization. It is important to understand what is needed for a successful volunteer program. Several groups and organizations support and offer training on different aspects of volunteer programs. Some of the trainings are free and some are not. Below is an announcement from United Way and Volunteer Administrators Northwest on an upcoming training in June

Advanced Volunteer Management Training with Betty Stallings

Leading the Way to Effective Volunteer Partnerships:

A Workshop for Executive Leaders and Volunteer Management Staff

Tuesday, June 16th

9:00-4:30 pm

(9:00-10:30 morning session designed specifically for Executive Leadership)

Full Day Tuition: $85.00

(Executive leadership can attend 1.5 hour morning session free with volunteer management staff registered for the full day)

Morning Session Only: $20.00

Location: 2100 Bldg, Seattle, Washington

Join United Way of King County and the Volunteer Administrator’s Network (VAN) for a unique opportunity to engage in lively discussion with Betty Stallings, internationally renowned expert in the field of volunteer management and author of 12 Key Actions of Volunteer Program Champions: CEOs Who Lead the Way and Training Busy Staff To Succeed With Volunteers: The 55 Minute In-Service Training Series. This workshop will explore the role of executive leadership and staff commitment in successful volunteer engagement.

Betty Stallings will present a highly interactive workshop focused on building the elements of an exemplary volunteer program and highlighting the leadership role required by executive staff to ensure successful volunteer partnerships and the dedication and competency needed by all staff to effectively interface with today's volunteers.

For more information:

Contact: Nikki Russell
Phone: 206-461-1055
Email: nrussell@uwkc.org

Other Happenings,

The next Mountaineers Foothills Branch Meeting

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Open to the public. No charge. All are welcome!

Doors open at 6:30 for set-up and socializing.

Branch up-dates at 7:00 pm,

Program starts at 7:15 pm.

King County Library Systems (KCLS) Service Center Note: This is not the Issaquah Public Library.

960 Newport Way NW

Issaquah, WA 98027

More information available at www.mtsgreenway.org/volunteer .

Tools, gloves and refreshments will be provided. Long pants and closed-toed shoes are required. appropriately for weather and mud (i.e. synthetic materials and fleeces).We work rain or shine. Arial">The COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">Nature 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"> style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">West 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"> Dress style="mso-spacerun: yes"> yes"> Bring yes"> Bring .org/restoration.htm" href="http://www.naturec.org/restoration.htm" target="_blank">http://www.naturec.org/restoration.htm

Volunteers Needed to Hike Mount Baker Area, “Mountain Stewards Protect Ecosystem”

Who: Adult volunteers 18 years or older with hiking and outdoor recreation skills.

What: Hike trails and teach hikers and climbers about Leave No Trace ethics, safety and Forest Service regulations.

When: Apply by June 25. Complete the Mountain Steward volunteer application at

Where: Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Three of the busiest trail systems in the Mount Baker area: Skyline Divide, Park Butte/Railroad Grade and Heather Meadows.

www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/volunteering/mtn_steward .

Fax to 360-856-1934 or mail to Mt. Baker Ranger District, Mountain Stewards, 810 State Route 20, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284.

Train July 11 & 18, and then volunteer for three shifts on weekend days between July 25–Sept. 13 on trail.

Optional training Aug. 8 for Heather Meadow volunteers.

The program runs July 11 – Sept. 13, Friday through Sunday, daytime hours.

Contact: Call Mt. Baker Ranger District for more information at 360-856-5700 x225, or email brichey@fs.fed.us.

The Lake City Chamber of Commerce is holding “Pioneer Days” the first weekend of August. We hope to have a VOW booth at the event. Contact the office if you would like to help.

Volunteer to help everyone enjoy the outdoors,

Richard Botts
Volunteers for Outdoor Washington
12345 NE 30th Ave Suite I, Seattle, WA 98125

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Hello All,

City of Seattle's Trails Program work party for next Saturday!

May 9 West Duwamish Greenbelt

TRAILS RESTORATION WORK PARTY

One of our biggest stretches of forests in the entire city, the West Duwamish Greenbelt is a great opportunity for people who want to be in a real urban forest.

Bring water, please! Tools & gloves will be provided.

Trails Program & GREEN SEATTLE PARTNERSHIP

Time 10a.m 2:30 p.m.

Meet at the Small parking area on Highlandpark Way just west of W. Marginal Way SW. Look for the trails project sign.

Contact Jacobo Jimenez (206) 684-0598 or jacobo.jimenez@seattle.gov

http://www.cityofseattle.net/parks/Environment/trails/trailsprogram.htm

Be sure to call or email Jacobo if you can come so he will look for you!

IRON GOAT TRAIL Happenings and Calendar

The new Iron Goat Trail Brochure (actually about the same as the old Iron Goat Trail brochure) is in the VOW office. If you would like a copy or several to give out, contact the office info@trailvolunteers.org.

Crew Leader refresher THIS SATURDAY May 9. There is still a lot of patchy snow on the trail and this will be the first work party of the season. Plan to meet at the Scenic trailhead (Iron Goat Interpretive site with the caboose) at 8:45. This is currently planned to be a maintenance work party. Anyone coming to the Crew Leader Refresher can have one of the Iron Goat Trail logo hard hat decals.

IGT Maintenance Work parties will start on most Saturdays in May and the Construction Work parties will be every Wednesday through the season.

One IGT 2009 Interpretative hike is scheduled during Archeology week on October 3.

VOW has more of the small Iron Goat Trail Stickers for the VOW hardhats. If you would like one for yourself, please contact the office. We will mail you one for $1 or 3 for $2.

A nice article appeared in the May June issue of Washington Trails about the Iron Goat Trail and VOW’s role in building it. Several Iron Goat Trail work parties are coming up with the organization through their arrangement with the Forest Service. More groups and people helping on the Iron Goat, the better!

The 4Culture Heritage program “Industry” tourism brochure has a section on the Iron Goat Trail VOW has these brochures in the office. Let us know if you would like a copy

Plans are beginning for an end of season get together at the REI main Store in Seattle sometimes around the second week in November, More details later.

Web Tools or Toy’s?

The VOW Happenings email newsletter is sent out through an email list provided by ONE/Northwest, an organization that provides services to non profits. Below is from their web site:

ONE/Northwest is a not-for-profit consulting firm that helps environmental groups connect with people. We are a change agent dedicated to helping communities thrive in harmony with their natural surroundings.

ONE/Northwest was established in 1995 to help environmental organizations use communications technologies as tools of social change. Our approach channels philanthropic support into technological and strategic innovations that we disseminate through consulting projects with hundreds of organizations and coalitions across Alaska, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Our programs help environmental organizations more effectively engage their constituents and improve their ability to collaborate with one another. Our constituent engagement work focuses on helping groups use websites, email newsletters, membership databases, and online civic engagement tools. Our collaboration work focuses on extranets and other communication tools aimed at coalitions and less formal collaborations between organizations as well as large-scale services aimed at strengthening connections across our entire movement like email list-hosting service which currently connects some 170,000 people across a wide variety of organizations

ONE/Northwest hosted email lists are a powerful way to collaborate, connect and share information. ONE/Northwest hosts over 1000 email lists for conservation groups and activists throughout our region.

Check out their web site http://www.onenw.org/

VOW uses several different lists from ONE/Northwest.

The VOW happenings is sent on "Volunteers For Outdoor Washington" <trailvolunteers@lists.onenw.org>, that has a special set up that allows only those who have the password to write to it. The trailvolunteers@list has over 500 people on it.

The "irongoatlist" <Irongoatlist@lists.onenw.org>, is a little different. It has a little over 60 people and anyone on the list can write to it. We are hoping that people will write and communicate what is happening on the Iron Goat through the list.

Below is a recent message from John who asked about the tunnel

Can anybody tell me if it's true or just a myth: The story about the blockade across the trail to the tunnel at Wellington is that the tunnel collapsed somewhere inside blocking about a million gallons of water which will explode out of there at any time. I see tourists have mashed down the barricade. I knew that would happen. :-)

Dennis Evans, the Iron Goat Trail Coordinator wrote the following as a reply:

Old Cascade Tunnel Ceiling Collapse

Sometime between November of 2006 and April of 2007 the concrete lining of the Old Cascade Tunnel failed about 600 feet in from the west portal, resulting in a violent mud and debris flow out of the tunnel, destroying the viewing platform that had been constructed in the tunnel portal. Mud residue was found up to seven feet high on tree trunks after the initial debris and mud burst, which gives some indication of the strength of the flow.

The Old Cascade Tunnel was built with a grade of 1.7% downhill from east to west. As a result, the water that naturally seeps into the tunnel flows out of the west portal in a steady stream. The blockage created by the collapse

of the tunnel ceiling acts as a dam and water has backed up behind it, creating a small lake in the tunnel. We estimate that the lake contains about 130,000 cubic feet of water, or approximately one million gallons. It

is considered possible, albeit unlikely, that at some point the pressure of the water behind the debris dam could cause the dam to give way, resulting in an extremely quick release of the water and creating another debris flow.

This could occur at any time without warning. In addition, a sinkhole has developed above the point of the collapse and has grown to about 70 feet by 40 feet and is about 35 feet deep.

The sinkhole and the tunnel portal are extremely hazardous areas and neither should be approached by members of the public or by Iron Goat Trail volunteers under any circumstance. The USFS has geologists monitoring the situation. Informational signs have been posted to stop foot traffic from entering the flood zone. We recognize that the public has an interest in viewing the west portal and a viewpoint has been constructed to allow viewing of the area while maintaining public safety.

Information on the upcoming work parties will be sent out each week on the irongoatlist. VOW plans to monitor the irongoatlist carefully to prevent misuse of the communication.

Other Happenings,

An announcement from Washington Native Plant Society:

CELEBRATE NATIVE PLANT APPRECIATION WEEK MAY 3-9, 2009

Did you know that over 3000 plant species are native to Washington? Governor Gregoire has proclaimed May 3-9, 2009 as Native Plant Appreciation Week. Celebrate our native floral abundance, our amazing biodiversity, and all the good work being done to protect and preserve it.

Washington State is remarkable because of its diversity of ecosystems. Ocean beaches, alpine slopes, deserts, rain forests, river valleys, and even backyard landscapes are all home to a variety of plant species that have been living here since before Europeans arrived. Native plant ecosystems are critical to sustaining our native wildlife and the quality of Washington’s environment. They provide suitable habitat for birds, fish and other animals and protect water quality.

During Native Plant Appreciation Week, people can participate in everything from talks, walks, hikes, garden tours, and visits to our natural areas to active involvement in habitat restoration projects. Governmental agencies, non-profit groups and environmental organizations can highlight their work in protecting native plant species, restoring native plant habitats, and eradicating the threat posed by invasive exotic pests. The public can learn about the many projects and hard work that enhances their area.

The Central Puget Sound Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society has organized several free events in King and Snohomish Counties. We encourage the public to attend.

Garden Tours: Several new private gardens will be open for viewing in and around Seattle and the Eastside.

Contact: Rita Moore (wnpsgardentour@yahoo.com, 206-275-3883).

Native Plant Sale: Saturday, May 9, 10 AM - 4 PM at the Bellevue Botanical Garden.

Speakers:

Gardening with Native Plants, Marcia Rivers-Smith

Tuesday, May 5, 7:00 PM

Northlake Unitarian Universalist Church, 308 4th Ave. S, Kirkland, 98033

Grazing for Edible Wild Plants, Terry Domico

Thursday, May 7, 7:30 PM

Center for Urban Horticulture, 3501 NE 41st St, Seattle, 98105

Plant Walks:

Carkeek Park: Wednesday, May 6, 6:30 PM

Contact: Brianne (hikaribri@gmail.com, 206-465-5055)

University of Washington Herbarium: Thursday, May 7, 1-2 PM

Contact: Maria (maria@wnps.org, 206-853-5745)

Washington Native Plant Society

6310 NE 74th Street, Suite 215E

Seattle, WA 98115

206-527-3210 or 1-888-288-8022

E-mail: wnps@wnps.org

The next Mountaineers Foothills Branch Meeting

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Open to the public. No charge. All are welcome!

Doors open at 6:30 for set-up and socializing.

Branch up-dates at 7:00 pm,

Program starts at 7:15 pm.

King County Library Systems (KCLS) Service Center Note: This is not the Issaquah Public Library.

960 Newport Way NW

Issaquah, WA 98027

Volunteer to help everyone enjoy the outdoors,

Richard Botts
Volunteers for Outdoor Washington
12345 NE 30th Ave Suite I, Seattle, WA 98125

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Hello All,

City of Seattle's Trails Program work party for next Saturday!

May 2 St. Marks Greenbelt

TRAILSRESTORATION

We will be continuing the construction of a rock wall and staircase at the bottom of the first switch back. Great trail work that will last for a long time and lots of fun!

Sponsor Trail Program& GREEN SEATTLE PARTNERSHIP

Time 9:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. Please join us

Meet at The south end of the parking at St. Marks Cathedral 124510th Ave E. Look for the Trails project here sign.

Contact Jacobo Jimenez (206) 684-0598 or jacobo.jimenez@seattle.gov

Website http://www.cityofseattle.net/parks/Environment/trails/trailsprogram.htm

Be sure to call or email Jacobo if you can come so he will look for you!

IRON GOAT TRAIL Happenings and Calendar

The new Iron Goat Trail Brochure (actually about the same as the old Iron Goat Trail brochure) is in the VOW office. If you would like a copy or several to give out, contact the office info@trailvolunteers.org.

VOW is working with the town of Skykomish with their Centennial Celebration on June 5 -7. This is the same weekend as the National Trails Day event. VOW will have a booth in the town as well as food sales to raise a little money. A special picnic area has been planned for the free National Trails Day after work party food and celebration.

Welcome back Paul Machiocha, the returning US Forest Service Iron Goat Trail crew boss. Paul starts today for the 2009 season. Paul has been an exceptional crew boss for the Project over the last several years. His salary and the truck he uses are funded through donations and grants obtained by Volunteers for Outdoor Washington which enables this project to continue without interruption.

Crew Leader refresher May 9. There is a lot of late snow and this may be the first work party of the season.

IGT Maintenance Work parties will start on most Saturdays in May and the Construction Work parties will be every Wednesday through the season.

The special Email IGT trail update & work party location info list is up and running. Reply to info@trailvolunteers.org if you would like to be included

The IGT 2009 Wildflower hikes are scheduled for June 20th, and July 11th. The earlier May 9 hike has been cancelled as there is likely to be few flowers to see due to the late snow.

One IGT 2009 Interpretative hike is scheduled during Archeology week on October 3.

There will be a special VOW -IGT work party event on National Trails Day June 6, 2009. The event will include a (free) after work party BBQ/Celebration in the town of Skykomish.

The Iron Goat Trail National Trails Day work party/Skykomish celebration has been included as one of the eighteen AHS national trails day events listed (so far) for Washington state on the American Hiking Society's "find an event" link. http://www.americanhiking.org/NTDSearchResult.aspx?sId=47

VOW is ordering more of the small Iron Goat Trail Stickers for the VOW hardhats. If you would like one for yourself, please contact the office

The 4Culture Heritage program “Industry” tourism brochure that has a section on the Iron Goat Trail is now in the office. Let us know if you would like a copy

Caution Soap Box Section

National Trails Day is coming up the first weekend in June and it is not too early to mark your calendar for the event. VOW is planning several National Trails Day events so watch the newsletter. Below is a section from the American Hiking Society on National Trails Day.

National Trails Day is a celebration of trails that evolved from the report of President Ronald Reagan's President's Commission on Americans Outdoors. In 1987, the report recommended that all Americans be able to go out their front doors and within fifteen minutes, be on trails that wind through their cities or towns and bring them back without retracing steps. The recommendation, dubbed Trails for All Americans, became the impetus behind several public and private parties joining American Hiking Society in launching National Trails Day in 1993.

Trails do not just appear for our enjoyment, it takes many hours of planning, labor, and
negotiating to develop them. National Trails Day, the only nationwide celebration of
trails, brings awareness to trails and thanks many people and partners for their support
and hard work, including volunteers, land agencies, and outdoor minded businesses. It is
also a day to introduce people to the many joys and benefits of trails.

America's 200,000 miles of trails allow us access to the natural world for recreation,
education, exploration, solitude, inspiration, and much more. Trails take us to good
physical and mental health by providing us with a chance to breathe fresh air, get our
hearts pumping, and escape from our stresses.

The Outdoor Industry Association's annual Outdoor Recreation Participation Study for the
United States 2006 reports that 72.1% of all Americans 16 and older (or 162 million
people) participate in at least one of the 22 outdoor activities they track, which include:
76.7 million hiking; 13.5 million backpacking; 40.4 million trail running; and 10 million
cross country skiing.

Other Happenings,

The next Mountaineers Foothills Branch Meeting and Program

» TOMORROW « Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Doors open at 6:30 for set-up and socializing.

Branch up-dates at 7:00 pm, program starts at 7:15 pm.

King County Library Systems (KCLS) Service Center (Note: This is not the Issaquah Public Library).
960 Newport Way NW
Issaquah, WA 98027

Author Sarah Kirkconnel will discuss how to simplify your meals, but still eat well in the outdoors. She will cover a style of outdoor cooking called Freezer Bag Cooking and two variants, the insulated mug method and meals that require no cooking at all. Sarah will cover one of her favorite subjects, how to find components for these meals, some local, some not. Finally she will cover the outdoor gear that is needed to prepare and make your life easier when in the outdoors and needing a good meal.

Sarah has been hiking since she was a child, and backpacking since she was in college in the early 1990's. She is a cofounder of a regional hiking group, the Pacific NorthWest Hikers. She enjoys hiking, backpacking, car camping and snowshoeing. Her favorite area to hike and backpack is Mt. Rainier NP in Washington State.

Sarah is a Washington State native. She currently lives in the foothills of Mt. Rainier with her husband and son.

The 24th annual Green River Cleanup is coming up on May 2 starting at Flaming Geyser State Park from9 to 9. check out the poster and events at http://www.mgrc.org/Email_10/web-content/index.html This year is particularly big because the lodge at Flaming Geyser State Park is going to be renamed the Wolf Bauer Lodge. State Parks commissioners are doing the honors

An announcement from Washington Native Plant Society:

CELEBRATE NATIVE PLANT APPRECIATION WEEK MAY 3-9, 2009

The Central Puget Sound Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society has organized several free events in King and Snohomish Counties. We encourage the public to attend.

Garden Tours: Several new private gardens will be open for viewing in and around Seattle and the Eastside.

Contact: Rita Moore (wnpsgardentour@yahoo.com, 206-275-3883).

Native Plant Sale: Saturday, May 9, 10 AM - 4 PM at the Bellevue Botanical Garden.

Speakers:

Gardening with Native Plants for Wildlife, Kerry Marl and Laura Spehar

Sunday, May 3, 2:00 PM

Everett Public Library Auditorium, 2702 Hoyt Ave, Everett, 98201

(This event is not sponsored by the Everett Public Library)

Gardening with Native Plants, Marcia Rivers-Smith

Tuesday, May 5, 7:00 PM

Northlake Unitarian Universalist Church, 308 4th Ave. S, Kirkland, 98033

Grazing for Edible Wild Plants, Terry Domico

Thursday, May 7, 7:30 PM

Center for Urban Horticulture, 3501 NE 41st St, Seattle, 98105

Plant Walks:

Lawton Park, Magnolia: Saturday, May 2, 2-3:30 PM

Contact: Barbara Downward (lavender@mindspring.com, 206-283-2498)

Twin Ponds Park, Shoreline: Saturday, May 2, 1-3 PM

Contact: John Dixon, 206-363-2987.

Seward Park: Sunday, May 3, 10 AM-12 PM

Contact: Paul Talbert (ptalbert@fhcrc.org, 206-722-8160)

Carkeek Park: Wednesday, May 6, 6:30 PM

Contact: Brianne (hikaribri@gmail.com, 206-465-5055)

University of Washington Herbarium: Thursday, May 7, 1-2 PM

Contact: Maria (maria@wnps.org, 206-853-5745)

Washington Native Plant Society

6310 NE 74th Street, Suite 215E

Seattle, WA 98115

206-527-3210 or 1-888-288-8022

E-mail: wnps@wnps.org

The Nature Consortium hosts volunteer work parties in the West Duwamish Greenbelt year round every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 10am - 2pm, and Wednesdays 1:30pm-5:00pm. Our schedule is starting to fill in and soon enough we will be having work parties 7 days a week! Each work party begins with a short informal forest ecology workshop. During the fall/winter months we remove invasive species and maintain our site. During the fall and winter we remove invasive species, mulch, and plant native plants and trees in the West Duwamish Greenbelt (see below for more details). Performing artists "play in the woods" during many of our work parties, and include singers, instrumentalists, and dancers.

Tools, gloves and refreshments will be provided. Long pants and closed-toed shoes are required. Dress appropriately for weather and mud (i.e. synthetic materials and fleeces). We work rain or shine. Bring a full water bottle. We will have water available for refills. Bring a bagged lunch if granola bars will not be enough of a snack. http://www.naturec.org/restoration.htm

Burien Parks has their volunteer schedule for Seahurst, Shorewood, and Eagle Landing parks at http://www.seahurstpark.org/volunteer.html . The next ivy out work party is on Saturday, May 16 at Shorewood Park.

Vow's office is located in Lake City at 12345 NE 30th Ave Suite I in the same building as the Lake City Chamber of Commerce. The office is usually available for use by our members for small meetings. Also, the larger Lake City Chamber of Commerce conference room is available for free with prior reservations. Those familiar with Lake City will find the office a couple of buildings over from Dick's Drive In at Lake City Way and NE 30th.

Volunteer to help everyone enjoy the outdoors,

Richard Botts
Volunteers for Outdoor Washington
12345 NE 30th Ave Suite I, Seattle, WA 98125

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Hello All,

Two City of Seattle's Trails Program work parties next Saturday!

April 25th Camp Long

TRAILS RESTORATION WORK PARTY

Project This 55 acre forest has a lot of great trails and is accessible to every one. Help us maintain the legacy that is Camp Longs’ forest. Bring water, please! - Tools & gloves will be provided...

Sponsor Trail Program

Time 10 a.m. - 230 p.m.

Meet at The main parking lot off of SW Brandon St., look for "Trails Project Here sign".

Contact Jacobo Jimenez (206) 684-0598 orjacobo.jimenez@seattle.gov

Website http://www.cityofseattle.net/parks/Environment/trails/trailsprogram.htm

April 25th Llandover Woods

TRAILS RESTORATION WORK PARTY

Project We will be doing some routine maintenance along with some trail improvements. Anyone can help and have great time.- Tools & gloves will be provided...

Sponsor Trail Program

Time 10 a.m. - 230 p.m.

Meet at The main parking lot off of NW 145th St. and 3rd Ave. NW, look for "Trails Project Here sign".

Contact Jacobo Jimenez (206) 684-0598 orjacobo.jimenez@seattle.gov

Website http://www.cityofseattle.net/parks/Environment/trails/trailsprogram.htm

Be sure to call or email Jacobo if you can come so he will look for you!

IRON GOAT TRAIL Happenings and Calendar

The new Iron Goat Trail Brochure (actually about the same as the old Iron Goat Trail brochure) is in the VOW office. If you would like a copy or several to give out, contact the office info@trailvolunteers.org.

VOW is working with the town of Skykomish with their Centennial Celebration on June 5 -7. This is the same weekend as the National Trails Day event. VOW will have a booth in the town as well as food sales to raise a little money. A special picnic area has been planned for the free National Trails Day after work party food and celebration.

Annual IGT Equipment Maintenance in Skykomish is this Friday April 24.
We will work at the Skykomish Ranger Station from about 9:00 to 3:00.

IGT Season Opener TOMORROW, Wednesday April 22 in the "Cascade Room" at the
Mountaineers headquarters
7700 Sand Point Way NE
Seattle, WA 98115.

We will gather at 6:00 and the meeting will start at 6:30. There will be a sandwich “bar” available. The current status of the trail will be presented as well as the events and planned work for the year. This is a great meeting to meet the people involved and see what is going on.

Herb Schneider’s Celebration of Life memorial is this Saturday, April 25 between 10:00 and 1:00 at Salty’s Restaurant at Alki in the ground level banquet room. The address is 1936 Harbor Ave. SW Seattle. Please RSVP to Reba Schneider rebaschneider@aol.com or 206-768-8024.

Crew Leader refresher May 9.

IGT Maintenance Work parties will start on most Saturdays in May and the Construction Work parties will be every Wednesday through the season.

One IGT 2009 Interpretative hike is scheduled during Archeology week on October 3.

There will be a special VOW -IGT work party event on National Trails Day June 6, 2009. The event will include a (free) after work party BBQ/Celebration in the town of Skykomish.

The Iron Goat Trail National Trails Day work party/Skykomish celebration has been included as one of the sixteen national trails day events listed (so far) for Washington state on the American Hiking Society's "find an event" link. http://www.americanhiking.org/NTDSearchResult.aspx?sId=47

WEB TOOLS (OR TOYS?)

Many people are watching television programs and news events on the web now when they miss (or do not want to) watch it during the regular broadcast. Last Saturdays’ Earth Day celebration trail work party at Dead Horse Canyon in Seattle’s Lakeridge Park (along Taylor Creek) had coverage from King 5 news. Like all of these web segments, it starts with an advertizing spot (this one 12 seconds) then shows the creek, volunteers, and purpose/mission of the effort. It is also fun to see people you know and how they appear on camera. Darrell did a great job! The video is at http://www.nwcn.com/video/news-index.html?nvid=353207 .

American Trails now has online versions of their magazine. If you want to look through the magazine and not have the paper lying around (or want an article to refur to and need a place to keep it - Hint-your computer) these “e-zines” may be of interest. The April issue of American Trails is at http://www.myvirtualpaper.com/doc/americantrails/Spr09ATM/2009040801/ . The article on “Trails add value to new homes” was interesting.

Sky Valley Chronicle is an online newspaper covering an area between Snohomish to Steven’s pass. The web site is http://www.skyvalleychronicle.com/ .

Other Happenings,

Seattle Urban Nature
Madrona Woods Native Plant Walk: April 26, 2009, 10 am - 12:30 pm
Join Seattle Urban Nature (SUN) for a native plant walk to explore restoration and daylighting projects along the Lake Washington shoreline. We will tour Madrona Woods (also known as Madrona Park), a park where dedicated community members have engaged in restoration activities for the past 10 years. Their recent stream daylighting project has transformed a large section of lawn into a near shore estuary and has allowed the stream once again to flow into the Lake. We will tour the park and look at the shoreline, riparian and upland restoration efforts. If time permits, we will then carpool to Colman Park where we will look at restoration projects installed and maintained by the Starflower Foundation from 1997-2006. Once there, we will tour the shoreline and upland portions of the park, as well as the frog pond.
Space is limited, so please RSVP to reserve a spot for the walk. Email sarah@seattleurbannature.org, or call the SUN office at 206-522-0334.

The Seattle Mountaineers is having a grand opening building dedication during Magnusson Park's Springfest on April 25, 10:00 to 4:00.

On Saturday, April 25, the Mountaineers will be holding a Grand Opening celebration in their new headquarters building, located in Seattle’s Magnuson Park. The event features activities throughout the day, including free climbing on the indoor and outdoor rock walls. Visitors can also browse the Gear Corral, featuring representatives from top outdoor brands such as Clif Bar, North Face, Petzl, Mountain Hardwear, Montrail, MSR, Therm-a-Rest, Platypus, Ibex, Marmot, Kelty, Sierra Designs and more.

The event begins at 10 am, and runs through 4 pm. At 11:30, we’re holding a welcoming ceremony with the mayor of Seattle, Greg Nickels, along with Board President Eric Linxweiler, Councilman Tom Rasmussen and Parks Superintendent Tim Gallagher. Following this ceremony, we will commence with our speaker presentations. Starting at 12:30, four Mountaineers Books authors will share from their recent and upcoming titles. Authors include Craig Romano, with a selection of his favorites outings from “Day Hiking: Central Cascades”; Ron Judd of the Seattle Times talks about multi-day outings from “Camping Washington”; Jennifer Worick demonstrates how to create nature-inspired crafts from “Backcountry Betty: Crafting in Style”; Judson Lang shows you how to find tasty treats in the wild, from his upcoming title “Fat of the Land: Adventures of a 21st Century Forager.”

The grand opening takes place at the same time as SpringFest, an event covering the entirety of Magnuson Park and featuring other organizations who call the park home, including Cascade Bicycle Club, Outdoors for All, Seattle Musical Theatre, and more. There are many activities for all ages, so feel free to bring the whole family. There will be food, fun and prize giveaways!

There is a cool poster for the event shown on their web page (although I m not sure all rock climbers need to shave). http://www.mountaineers.org/ScriptContent/default.cfm . They sent us a pdf of the poster if you would like to print your own, contact the office to send you the file.

The next Mountaineers Foothills Branch Meeting and Program
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Doors open at 6:30 for set-up and socializing.

Sarah is a Washington State native. She currently lives in the foothills of Mt. Rainier with her husband and son.

The 24th annual Green River Cleanup is coming up on May 2 starting at Flaming Geyser State Park from9 to 9. Check out the poster and events at http://www.mgrc.org/Email_10/web-content/index.html This year is particularly big because the lodge at Flaming Geyser State Park is going to be renamed the Wolf Bauer Lodge. State Parks commissioners are doing the honors

An announcement from Washington Native Plant Society

CELEBRATE NATIVE PLANT APPRECIATION WEEK MAY 3-9, 2009

The Central Puget Sound Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society has organized several free events in King and Snohomish Counties. We encourage the public to attend.

Garden Tours: Several new private gardens will be open for viewing in and around Seattle and the Eastside.

Contact: Rita Moore (wnpsgardentour@yahoo.com, 206-275-3883).

Native Plant Sale: Saturday, May 9, 10 AM - 4 PM at the Bellevue Botanical Garden.

Speakers:

Gardening with Native Plants for Wildlife, Kerry Marl and Laura Spehar

Sunday, May 3, 2:00 PM

Everett Public Library Auditorium, 2702 Hoyt Ave, Everett, 98201

(This event is not sponsored by the Everett Public Library)

Gardening with Native Plants, Marcia Rivers-Smith

Tuesday, May 5, 7:00 PM

Northlake Unitarian Universalist Church, 308 4th Ave. S, Kirkland, 98033

Grazing for Edible Wild Plants, Terry Domico

Thursday, May 7, 7:30 PM

Center for Urban Horticulture, 3501 NE 41st St, Seattle, 98105

Plant Walks:

Lawton Park, Magnolia: Saturday, May 2, 2-3:30 PM

Contact: Barbara Downward (lavender@mindspring.com, 206-283-2498)

Twin Ponds Park, Shoreline: Saturday, May 2, 1-3 PM

Contact: John Dixon, 206-363-2987.

Seward Park: Sunday, May 3, 10 AM-12 PM

Contact: Paul Talbert (ptalbert@fhcrc.org, 206-722-8160)

Carkeek Park: Wednesday, May 6, 6:30 PM

Contact: Brianne (hikaribri@gmail.com, 206-465-5055)

University of Washington Herbarium: Thursday, May 7, 1-2 PM

Contact: Maria (maria@wnps.org, 206-853-5745)

Washington Native Plant Society

6310 NE 74th Street, Suite 215E

Seattle, WA 98115

206-527-3210 or 1-888-288-8022

E-mail: wnps@wnps.org

The Nature Consortium hosts volunteer work parties in the West Duwamish Greenbelt year round every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 10am - 2pm, and Wednesdays 1:30pm-5:00pm. Our schedule is starting to fill in and soon enough we will be having work parties 7 days a week! Each work party begins with a short informal forest ecology workshop. During the fall/winter months we remove invasive species and maintain our site. During the fall and winter we remove invasive species, mulch, and plant native plants and trees in the West Duwamish Greenbelt (see below for more details). Performing artists "play in the woods" during many of our work parties, and include singers, instrumentalists, and dancers.

Tools, gloves and refreshments will be provided. Long pants and closed-toed shoes are required. Dress appropriately for weather and mud (i.e. synthetic materials and fleeces). We work rain or shine. Bring a full water bottle. We will have water available for refills. Bring a bagged lunch if granola bars will not be enough of a snack. http://www.naturec.org/restoration.htm

Burien Parks has their volunteer schedule for Seahurst, Shorewood, and Eagle Landing parks at http://www.seahurstpark.org/volunteer.html . The next ivy out work party is on Saturday, April 25 at Seahurst Park.

Vow's office is located in Lake City at 12345 NE 30th Ave Suite I in the same building as the Lake City Chamber of Commerce. The office is usually available for use by our members for small meetings. Also, the larger Lake City Chamber of Commerce conference room is available for free with prior reservations. Those familiar with Lake City will find the office a couple of buildings over from Dick's Drive In at Lake City Way and NE 30th.

Volunteer to help everyone enjoy the outdoors,

Richard Botts
Volunteers for Outdoor Washington
12345 NE 30th Ave Suite I, Seattle, WA 98125

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Hello All,

This weeks City of Seattle's Trails Program work party!

April 18th Madrona Woods Ravine

TRAILS RESTORATION WORK PARTY

Project We will be re-treading a new trail after the installation of a beautiful new bridge at the parks main entrance.

Sponsor Trails Program& GREEN SEATTLE PARTNERSHIP

Time 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Meet at Small parking area across the street at Madrona Beach. look for the trails project sign.

Contact Jacobo Jimenez (206) 684-0598 orjacobo.jimenez@seattle.gov

Website http://www.cityofseattle.net/parks/Environment/trails/trailsprogram.htm

Be sure to call or email Jacobo if you can come so he will look for you!

IRON GOAT TRAIL Happenings and Calendar

The new Iron Goat Trail Brochure (actually about the same as the old Iron Goat Trail brochure) is in the VOW office. If you would like a copy or several to give out, contact the office info@trailvolunteers.org.

VOW is working with the town of Skykomish with their Centennial Celebration on June 5 -7. This is the same weekend as the National Trails Day event. VOW will have a booth in the town as well as food sales to raise a little money. A special picnic area has been planned for the free National Trails Day after workparty food and celebration.

Annual IGT Equipment Maintenance in Skykomish on April 10 has been rescheduled to Friday April 24.
We will work at the Ranger Station from about 9:00 to 3:00.

IGT Season Opener next week, Wednesday April 22 in the "Cascade Room" at the
Mountaineers headquarters
7700 Sand Point Way NE
Seattle, WA 98115.

Crew Leader refresher May 9.

IGT Maintenance Workparties will start on most Saturdays in May and the Construction Workparties will be every Wednesday through the season.

The First VOW IGT Construction workparty will be Wednesday May 6

The special Email IGT trail update & work party location info list is up and running. Reply to info@trailvolunteers.org if you would like to be included

The IGT 2009 Wildflower hikes are scheduled for May 9th, June 20th, and July 11th.

There will be a special VOW -IGT work party event on National Trails Day June 6, 2009. The event will include a (free) after work party BBQ/Celebration in the town of Skykomish.

The Iron Goat Trail National Trails Day work party/Skykomish celebration has been included as one of the nine national trails day events listed (so far) for Washington state on the American Hiking Society's "find an event" link. http://www.americanhiking.org/NTDSearchResult.aspx?sId=47

The Iron Goat Trail Volunteer Vacation with the American Hiking Society is the week of July 12 through the 17.

WEB TOOLS (OR TOYS?)

A lot of people like to take nature pictures when hiking. A program appeared on CBS Sunday Morning about Jonathan Singer, a New Jersey podiatrist about his new photography portfolio book, Botanica Magnifica. The book has been accepted by the Smithsonian Institution rare book collection and is stored with James J Audubon’s Birds of America. Both Books are a special double elephant portfolio size. Check out the CBS Botanica Magnifica online video segment at http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4937453n . There is a 30 sec General Motors ad before the segment starts.

Earth Day Celebration is April 18 with a lot of Events!

Join Issaquah REI Store with Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance for Earth Day Service Project "SPRING into action in April!" 4/18/2009 9:00 AM
Duthie Hill will soon be a fantastic mountain bike 'play' area! Join Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance and the Issaquah REI to participate in some rugged trail and route building. Have fun and contribute to a legacy of Northwest recreation!

Participants should plan to get dirty as they will likely be spending the day bushwacking and cutting back brush. Please come prepared with a sack lunch, plenty of water, long pants &long sleeves and layer for warmth and weather.

All participants must register online with Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance at www.evergreenmtb.org
Location: Duthie Hill Park
Contact:Tami Asars tasars@rei.com or 425-313-1660
Cost: Free
Registration Required? Yes. http://evergreenmtb.org/recreation/calendar.php?event_id=7397

Join REI Flagship Store with People for Puget Sound for the ~ Duwamish Alive! 4/18/2009 10:00 AM
Join 1000 or more volunteers for this awesome series of cleanup and restoration projects in the Duwamish River Watershed!

Twelve sites. 1,000+ Volunteers. Nineteen Organizations. One GREAT day of stewardship. Join REI and the Duwamish Alive coalition at one of the many sites along the Duwamish River this Earth Day Saturday for an epic service project.

REI will be on hand at each site providing snacks, drinks, and goodies for all volunteers. Outstanding volunteer leaders have been recruited from all over the community--they will be on hand to guide you through the process of restoring these incredible open spaces. All you need to bring is weather-appropriate clothing, and a willingness to get dirty! For more information, visit www.pugetsound.org, and click on the "volunteer" link.
Location: Seattle, WA
Contact: www.pugetsound.org
Cost: Free
Registration Required? Yes. www.pugetsound.org

Friends of Dead Horse Canyon is having another work party

Taylor Creek Trail in Seattle's Lakeridge Park

Saturday, April 18 from 8:30 to 1:00 through the Green Seattle Partnership.

Contact Jude or Darrell at 206-772-1452 if you would like to attend.

City of Bellevue Earth Day Arbor Day Festival. April 18, 8:30 am – 11am.

Come join us for a day of stewardship and celebration as we help beautify Bellevue’s Parks.

The event will feature a wide variety of free family activities, a tree planting ceremony and volunteer restoration projects city-wide!

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Christina Krueger at 425-452-4195. For general information call Laura Hughes at 425-452-7225.

Burien Parks, has an "Ivy Out" day in Shorewood Park 10AM to Noon

Other Happenings,

The Washington Native Plant Society has announced Native Plant Appreciation Week for May3 through 9. Check out the events at http://www.wnps.org/npaw/ .

The Native Plant Society has requested the announcement below in VOW happenings for the upcoming stewardship training. The deadline to apply is tomorrow April 15!

Our members have reported that this is an excellent course.

There has been limited signups for this course session so unless they get a number of participants by tomorrow, they will have to cancel.

Learn About Native Plants This Spring!

The Washington Native Plant Society is now seeking applications for the Native Plant Stewardship Program in East King County. Participating cities in King County include Bellevue, Issaquah, Kirkland, and Sammamish.

The 10-week training is held on Fridays from April 24 through June 26, 2009, in Bellevue. This training is taught by top professionals on various topics such as native plants, habitat restoration and northwest ecology. In exchange for this free training, stewards will commit to 100 hours of volunteer service implementing the skills learned in these classes. Each Native Plant Steward team will be formed to work on designated habitat restoration projects in one of our partner communities.

For more information regarding the Native Plant Stewardship Program and to download the application form: http://www.wnps.org/npsp/king/program.html

Application deadline is TOMORROW April 15, 2009.

For questions about the Native Plant Stewardship Program please contact Dangelei Fox at npsp@wnps.org or call (206) 660-3968.

The 24^th annual Green River Cleanup is coming up on May 2 starting at Flaming Geyser State Park from 9 to 9. check out http://www.mgrc.org/Email_10/web-content/index.html .

One/Northwest is VOW’s list holder for the VOW Happenings newsletter. They maintain the list and prevent email addresses from being “farmed” for commercial (spam) purposes off the newsletter.

They are having an informational open house tomorrow, April 15, from 5:30 to 7:30 at their headquarters ONE/Northwest 1402 3rd Ave, Suite 1000. More info http://www.onenw.org/news-events .

Seattle Urban Nature
Madrona Woods Native Plant Walk: April 26, 2009, 10 am - 12:30 pm
Join Seattle Urban Nature (SUN) for a native plant walk to explore restoration and daylighting projects along the Lake Washington shoreline. We will tour Madrona Woods (also known as Madrona Park), a park where dedicated community members have engaged in restoration activities for the past 10 years. Their recent stream daylighting project has transformed a large section of lawn into a nearshore estuary and has allowed the stream once again to flow into the Lake. We will tour the park and look at the shoreline, riparian and upland restoration efforts. If time permits, we will then carpool to Colman Park where we will look at restoration projects installed and maintained by the Starflower Foundation from 1997-2006. Once there, we will tour the shoreline and upland portions of the park, as well as the frog pond.
Space is limited, so please RSVP to reserve a spot for the walk. Email sarah@seattleurbannature.org, or call the SUN office at 206-522-0334.

The Seattle Mountaineers is having a grand opening building dedication during Magnusson Park's Springfest on April 25, 10:00 to 4:00. There will be a gear corral with the lastest and greatest from 15 outdoor equipment manufactures, free rock climbing on the climbing climbing (useful skill, particularly after tax season). The deadication by Mayor Greg Nichols and Councilmember Tom Rassmesson will be at 11:30.

The next Mountaineers Foothills Branch Meeting and Program
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Doors open at 6:30 for set-up and socializing.
Branch up-dates at 7:00 pm, program starts at 7:15 pm.

King County Library Systems (KCLS) Service Center (Note: This is not the Issaquah Public Library).
960 Newport Way NW
Issaquah, WA 98027

Author Sarah Kirkconnel will discuss how to simplify your meals, but still eat well in the outdoors. She will cover a style of outdoor cooking called Freezer Bag Cooking and two variants, the insulated mug method and meals that require no cooking at all. Sarah will cover one of her favorite subjects, how to find components for these meals, some local, some not. Finally she will cover the outdoor gear that is needed to prepare and make your life easier when in the outdoors and needing a good meal.

Sarah has been hiking since she was a child, and backpacking since she was in college in the early 1990's. She is a cofounder of a regional hiking group, the Pacific NorthWest Hikers. She enjoys hiking, backpacking, car camping and snowshoeing. Her favorite area to hike and backpack is Mt. Rainier NP in Washington State.

Sarah is a Washington State native. She currently lives in the foothills of Mt. Rainier with her husband and son.

The Nature Consortium hosts volunteer work parties in the West Duwamish Greenbelt year round every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 10am - 2pm, and Wednesdays 1:30pm-5:00pm. Our schedule is starting to fill in and soon enough we will be having work parties 7 days a week! Each work party begins with a short informal forest ecology workshop. During the fall/winter months we remove invasive species and maintain our site. During the fall and winter we remove invasive species, mulch, and plant native plants and trees in the West Duwamish Greenbelt (see below for more details). Performing artists "play in the woods" during many of our work parties, and include singers, instrumentalists, and dancers.

Tools, gloves and refreshments will be provided. Long pants and closed-toed shoes are required. Dress appropriately for weather and mud (i.e. synthetic materials and fleeces). We work rain or shine. Bring a full water bottle. We will have water available for refills. Bring a bagged lunch if granola bars will not be enough of a snack. http://www.naturec.org/restoration.htm

Burien Parks has their volunteer schedule for Seahurst, Shorewood, and Eagle Landing parks at http://www.seahurstpark.org/volunteer.html . The next work party is on Wednesday, April 8 for Arbor day.

Vow's office is located in Lake City at 12345 NE 30th Ave Suite I in the same building as the Lake City Chamber of Commerce. The office is usually available for use by our members for small meetings. Also, the larger Lake City Chamber of Commerce conference room is available for free with prior reservations. Those familiar with Lake City will find the office a couple of buildings over from Dick's Drive In at Lake City Way and NE 30th.

Volunteer to help everyone enjoy the outdoors,

Richard Botts
Volunteers for Outdoor Washington
12345 NE 30th Ave Suite I, Seattle, WA 98125

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Hello All,

This weeks City of Seattle's Trails Program work party!

Saturday April 11th    West Duwamish Greenbelt
                         TRAILS RESTORATION WORK PARTY
Project             This is one of our biggest stretch of forest in the entire city. A great opportunity for people who want to be in a real urban forest.

                        Bring water, please!- Tools & gloves will be provided..

Sponsor            Trails Program & GREEN SEATTLE PARTNERSHIP
Time                 10a.m.- 2:30 p.m.                    Open Join Us
Meet at             Small parking area on, Highland park Way just west of W.Marginal Way SW. look for the trails project sign.
Contact              Jacobo Jimenez (206) 684-0598 or jacobo.jimenez@seattle.gov
Website       http://www.cityofseattle.net/parks/Environment/trails/trailsprogram.htm

Be sure to call or email Jacobo if you can come so he will look for you!

IRON GOAT TRAIL Happenings and Calendar

The new Iron Goat Trail Brochure (actually about the same as the old Iron Goat Trail brochure) is in the VOW office. If you would like a copy or several to give out, contact the office info@trailvolunteers.org.

VOW is working with the town of Skykomish with their Centennial Celebration on June 5 -7. This is the same weekend as the National Trails Day event. VOW will have a booth in the town as well as food sales to raise a little money. A special picnic area has been planned for the free National Trails Day after workparty food and celebration.
Centennial events include a Saturday breakfast ( for donation = cheap!! ) at the Masons hall

(Special Hint-The breakfast starts early enough to eat and have coffee before going to the work party).

A dance social will be on Saturday evening and camping is available at the city ball park for both Friday and Saturday nights.
If you would like to help with the VOW booth and hang out at the town for the music and activities, contact the office Info@trailvolunteers.org .

Annual IGT Equipment Maintenance in Skykomish on April 10 has been rescheduled to Friday April 24.
We will work at the Ranger Station from about 9:00 to 3:00.

NO TOOL WORK PARTY this FRIDAY APRIL 10 Still too much snow in storage area.

IGT Season Opener Wednesday April 22 in the "Cascade Room" at the
Mountaineers headquarters
7700 Sand Point Way NE
Seattle, WA 98115.

Crew Leader refresher May 9.

IGT Maintenance Workparties will start on most Saturdays in May and the Construction Workparties will be every Wednesday through the season.

The First VOW IGT Construction workparty will be Wednesday May 6

The special Email IGT trail update & work party location info list is up and running. Reply to info@trailvolunteers.org if you would like to be included

The IGT 2009 Wildflower hikes are scheduled for May 9th, June 20th, and July 11th.

There will be a special VOW - IGT work party event on National Trails Day June 6, 2009. The event will include a (free) after work party BBQ/Celebration in the town of Skykomish.

The Iron Goat Trail National Trails Day work party/Skykomish celebration has been included as one of the nine national trails day events listed (so far) for Washington state on the American Hiking Society's "find an event" link. http://www.americanhiking.org/NTDSearchResult.aspx?sId=47

The Iron Goat Trail Volunteer Vacation with the American Hiking Society is the week of July 12 through the 17.

VOW has supported and participated in the activities of the American Hiking Society for a long time. VOW provides funds and staff support for usually 1/2 of the expenses of the annual IGT - AHS Volunteer Vacation now for over 10 years!

WEB TOOLS (OR TOYS?)

We had a request recently about where to find training materials from the Forest Service. Below is a "rerun" from a previous newsletter.

Trail construction and maintenance is not much different than home remodling in that if it is not done correctly, the results will be poor. The Forest Service has recognized this in its own activities as well as providing its standards for volunteers. A number of manuals, specifications, and videos (DVD's) have been created to explain and teach the way trail construction/maintenance should be done. These are available to anyone, for free, by requesting them online at

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/rectrails/trailpub.htm

Just apply online and the mail person will bring them free to you.

Earth Day Celebration is April 18 with a lot of Events!

Join Issaquah REI Store with Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance for Earth Day Service Project "SPRING into action in April!" 4/18/2009 9:00 AM
Duthie Hill will soon be a fantastic mountain bike 'play' area! Join Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance and the Issaquah REI to participate in some rugged trail and route building. Have fun and contribute to a legacy of Northwest recreation!

REI will be on hand at each site providing snacks, drinks, and goodies for all volunteers. Outstanding volunteer leaders have been recruited from all over the community--they will be on hand to guide you through the process of restoring these incredible open spaces. All you need to bring is weather-appropriate clothing, and a willingness to get dirty! For more information, visit www.pugetsound.org, and click on the "volunteer" link.
Location:Seattle, WA
Contact: www.pugetsound.org
Cost: Free
Registration Required? Yes. www.pugetsound.org

Seattle Trails Program TRAILS RESTORATION WORK PARTY Madrona Woods Ravine

We will be re-treading a new trail after the installation of a beautiful new bridge at the parks main entrance.

Time 10 a.m.- 2:30 Meet at the small parking area across the street at Madrona Beach. Look for the trails project sign

Contact Jacobo Jimenez (206) 684-0598 or jacobo.jimenez@seattle.gov

Friends of Dead Horse Canyon is having another workparty on the Taylor Creek Trail in Seattles' Lakeridge Park

Saturday, April 18 from 8:30 to 1:00 through the Green Seattle Partnership.

Contact Jude or Darrell at 206-772-1452 if you would like to attend.

City of Bellevue Earth Day Arbor Day Festival. April 18, 8:30 am – 11am. Come join us for a day of stewardship and celebration as we help beautify Bellevue’s Parks.

The event will feature a wide variety of free family activities, a tree planting ceremony and volunteer restoration projects city-wide!

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Christina Krueger at 425-452-4195. For general information call Laura Hughes at 425-452-7225.

Burien Parks, has an "Ivy Out" day in Shorewood Park 10AM to Noon

Other Happenings,

The Native Plant Society has requested the announcemet below in VOW happenings for the upcoming stewardship training. The deadline to apply is April 15!

Our members have reported that this is an excellant course.

Learn About Native Plants This Spring!

The Washington Native Plant Society is now seeking applications for the Native Plant Stewardship Program in East King County. Participating cities in King County include Bellevue, Issaquah, Kirkland, and Sammamish.

The 10-week training is held on Fridays from April 24 through June 26, 2009, in Bellevue. This training is taught by top professionals on various topics such as native plants, habitat restoration and northwest ecology. In exchange for this free training, stewards will commit to 100 hours of volunteer service implementing the skills learned in these classes. Each Native Plant Steward team will be formed to work on designated habitat restoration projects in one of our partner communities.

For more information regarding the Native Plant Stewardship Program and to download the application form: http://www.wnps.org/npsp/king/program.html

Application deadline is April 15, 2009.

For questions about the Native Plant Stewardship Program please contact Dangelei Fox at npsp@wnps.org or call (206) 660-3968.

Seattle Urban Nature
Madrona Woods Native Plant Walk: April 26, 2009, 10 am - 12:30 pm
Join Seattle Urban Nature (SUN) for a native plant walk to explore restoration and daylighting projects along the Lake Washington shoreline. We will tour Madrona Woods (also known as Madrona Park), a park where dedicated community members have engaged in restoration activities for the past 10 years. Their recent stream daylighting project has transformed a large section of lawn into a nearshore estuary and has allowed the stream once again to flow into the Lake. We will tour the park and look at the shoreline, riparian and upland restoration efforts. If time permits, we will then carpool to Colman Park where we will look at restoration projects installed and maintained by the Starflower Foundation from 1997-2006. Once there, we will tour the shoreline and upland portions of the park, as well as the frog pond.
Space is limited, so please RSVP to reserve a spot for the walk. Email sarah@seattleurbannature.org, or call the SUN office at 206-522-0334.

Wednesday, March 31st

Hello All,

This weeks City of Seattle's Trails Program work parties!

April 2nd-4th St. Marks Greenbelt

TRAILS RESTORATION U.W. student service orientation

We will be continuing the construction of a rock wall and staircase at the bottom of the first switch back. Great trail work that will last for a long tome lots of fun!

Sponsor Trail Program & GREEN SEATTLE PARTNERSHIP

Time 10 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. Open Please join us

Meet at The south end of the parking at St. marks Cathedral. 1245 10th Ave E. Look for the Trails project here sign.

Contact Jacobo Jimenez (206) 684-0598 or jacobo.jimenez@seattle.gov

Website http://www.cityofseattle.net/parks/Environment/trails/trailsprogram.htm

Be sure to call or email Jacobo if you can come so he will look for you!

IRON GOAT TRAIL Happenings and Calendar

The new Iron Goat Trail Brochure (actually about the same as the old Iron Goat Trail brochure) is at the printers. If you would like a copy or several to give out, contact the office info@trailvolunteers.org.

Herb Schneider, a long time Iron Goat Trail volunteer passed away last February. His family has announced the remembrance celebration of his life for Saturday April 25. Details are below:

Herb’s family invites you to a

CELEBRATION OF HERB’S LIFE

Saturday April 25th, anytime between 10 AM and 1PM

Salty’s Restaurant at Alki, Banquet Room on Ground Level

1936 Harbor Avenue. S.W. Seattle, WA 98126
Free Parking, call for directions (206) 937-1600

RSVP (Yes, No, Maybe) to Reba Schneider

rebaschneider@aol.com

2421 SW Trenton St #210 Seattle, WA 98106

206-768-8024 (please do leave a message)

Reba is looking for RSVP calls now so she can make the reservations at Salty's I am definitely going, Herb was a good dependable friend.

Annual IGT equipment maintenance in Skykomish on April 10.THIS IS NEXT WEEK

Season Opener April 22 in the "Cascade Room" at the new Mountaineers headquarters

7700 Sand Point Way NE

Seattle, WA 98115.

Crew Leader refresher May 9.

IGT Maintenance workparties will start on most Saturdays in May and the Construction workparties will be every Wednesday through the season.

The special email IGT trail update & work party location info list is up and running. Reply to info@trailvolunteers.org if you would like to be included

The IGT 2009 Wildflower hikes are scheduled for May 9th, June 20th, and July 11th.

There will be a special work party event on National Trails Day June 6, 2009 along with the Town of Skykomish Centennial Celebration Weekend. The event will include a (free) after work party BBQ/Celebration in the town.

The Iron Goat Trail National Trails Day work party/Skykomish celebration has been included as one of the four national trails day event