SEQUIM – On Saturday, November 10, ten conservation districts around Puget Sound will be hosting volunteer events to celebrate and maybe even help restore our resident orca population.
That’s Clallam Conservation District Director Joe Holtrop. The CCD will be hosting a planting party on that Saturday at Carrie Blake Park in Sequim. With the help of volunteers, they plan to augment the Low Water-Use Landscaping Demonstration Garden, located near the soccer fields, with about 500 hundred new plantings.
The Demonstration Garden is a showcase of landscape plants that can tolerate poor soil conditions and need no irrigation. This planting project can help restore local salmon populations, the primary food source of orcas, by helping ensure there’s enough water in local rivers as salmon return to spawn.
Landscaping with plants that are adapted to Sequim’s climate and low rainfall reduces the amount of water needed for irrigation, which boosts endangered salmon populations.
Holtrop says he’s reached out to other local organizations to take part as well.
Volunteers should come prepared to help with planting, armed with gloves and shovels or trowels. The event will begin at 1:00pm.
You can learn more about the event and sign up to volunteer (although that’s not required) by visiting Clallamcd.org or phone 775-3747.