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November 2009
In this issue
Other news
To view this and future issues online, visit our volunteer page.
Questions or comments?
Contact Barbara French, Volunteer Program Manager, at bfrench@tnc.org or call (206) 343-4345, ext. 361.
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News from Around the State
Room with a View
When Conservancy volunteer Michelle Blanchard noticed that barn owls liked to nest in the owl box on her property, she decided to write a grant for the funds needed to provide additional nesting sites.
With more barn owls in the area and fewer nest sites available, she saw a need and a way to help. Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife granted her the money, and she and her husband Dennis got to work, modeling the owl boxes after one in their pasture where owls have nested for years.
Last month, volunteers joined forces to erect one of the new owl boxes on Glacial Heritage Preserve in Thurston County. It was mounted on a 16-foot-tall Douglas fir post, recycled from an old building. It took the help of several volunteers to install the post, but now Glacial Heritage’s barn owls will find a new house with a view of the Black River.
Thanks to Michelle Blanchard for organizing the effort and thanks to volunteers Barry Bidwell, Doug Whitlock, Bill Funk, Dennis Plank and Grace Diehl for helping to install it! Just another great project conceived and executed by volunteers!
New Native Shrubs at Swauk
Thank you to volunteers who traveled from around the state to Swauk Valley Ranch last week, where they planted 350 native trees and shrubs completing the planting of an oak restoration site.
Volunteers planted blue elderberry, Oregon grape, and woods rose, and measured oaks that were previously planted, finishing the project in two days. Many thanks to Don Knoke, Bob Branberg, Peggy Ahrens, Ted Gamlem, Jim Hansen and Bob Gooding!
Volunteer Classified
Packers & Movers
Yakima
Help our Yakima office move to a new and better space! If you have a few hours to spare, lend a hand with packing boxes this month as our Yakima office prepares to move. Treats provided! Contact Barbara French for more information at bfrench@tnc.org or 206-343-4345, ext 361.
Office Assistant
Ongoing
Thurston County
Our South Sound program is short-handed and could use some volunteer help! Looking for a volunteer for a couple of regular shifts each week at The Nature Conservancy’s Olympia office. Help with miscellaneous office tasks, plus some fun communications projects such as writing announcements and project updates and posting on a Web site with a user-friendly Web program.
Training provided. Does not require HTML skills, but basic computer know-how and good writing skills are needed. For more information or to apply, please send a resume to Barbara French at bfrench@tnc.org.
Work Parties
Salmon Habitat Restoration
Saturday, November 7
Skagit County
Join The Nature Conservancy and Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group for this work party to restore salmon habitat. These plants will provide shade for salmon and woody habitat in the stream for aquatic insects, which in turn provide food for the salmon. These riparian zones also improve water quality by controlling erosion and filtering toxins. Work party will be held on the South Fork Skagit River from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bring knee boots and works gloves or borrow our extras. For directions and more information, contact ldegrace@skagitfisheries.org or (360) 336-0172.
Prairie Restoration
Saturdays, Nov 14 & Dec 12
Glacial Heritage Preserve
Thurston County
It’s planting season on the prairies and Saturday work days are in full swing! Join other volunteers in planting native prairie species to support rare butterflies, control Scotch broom or clean seeds collected over the summer. Saturday work days are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Stay as long as you like. Ongoing Tuesday workdays continue 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. weekly at prairie sites around Thurston County. For directions and more information, contact Grace Diehl at gdiehl@tnc.org or (260) 870-5500.
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