Seattle City Light (SCL) is working on a wetland re-establishment, rehabilitation, and enhancement project in order to mitigate for recent impacts on several wetlands and buffers in Tukwila. The unique project at the Creston-Duwamish Transmission ROW called for the construction of several “hummocks and hollows” within a perched wetland, adjacent to the Duwamish River that would provide several vegetation habitat niches. What should have been a straightforward wetland mitigation project has experienced several challenges due to an unexpectedly shifting hydrology. There is much to take away from this fascinating case study in wetland restoration that sits at the confluence of issues with site history, adjacent properties, climate, and design. We will meet in the parking lot of the Duwamish Hill Preserve. The address is 3800 S 115th St, Tukwila, WA 98168. Cost: $45; Register Online or by phone (206-685-8033) Instructor Charlie Vogelheim is a Stewardship Coordinator at Forterra where his work spans between coordinating community-based stewardship projects with Green Cities Partnerships and managing restoration projects. Charlie wrote the management and monitoring plan for Seattle City Light’s Creston-Duwamish wetland enhancement project and works to see it through. Instructor Rory Denovan is a Restoration Ecologist with Seattle City Light. With over 20 years of experience in ecological restoration, in a range of positions from laborer to plant ecologist, Rory has become equal parts mumbling, eyes-to-the ground plant geek; hardcore realist about the constraints of ROWs; and wide-eyed advocate for using science and traditional ecological knowledge to adapt vegetation management and improve habitats. In his spare time Rory enjoys hiking, backcountry skiing and trundling his family out to volunteer restoration projects. Rory also serves on the boards of the Washington Native Plant Society and Northwest Chapter of the Society for Ecological Restoration. |