UNION SLOUGH: EVERETT EARTH MONTH EVENT!
Join EarthCorps, Puget Sound Keeper, and the Port of Everett as we continue to work in the Union Slough natural area on the Snohomish River. Union Slough was created by breaching a dike in the Snohomish River estuary in 2001, restoring tidal flow to a farming field and creating about 8 acres of marsh and mudflat. An additional 4.6 acres were added to the site by another dike breach in 2005. Plants were put in the ground in 2001 and the natural vegetation has been returning ever since, but there are still some aggressive weeds that we could use your help with!
The Basics
EarthCorps supplies gloves, tools, water and snack bars. We will teach you everything you need to know about tool use, safety, forest health, and the importance of the work you will be doing. No experience necessary, just come ready to learn something new! Be sure to sign in at registration when you arrive.
This video may give you a better idea of what to expect.
For your safety and comfort please bring:
- Clothing that can get dirty (because it will!)
- Long pants and long sleeves (helps protect against prickly plants)
- Sturdy shoes that can handle some mud (closed toed shoes are required: work boots, hiking boots, rubber boots, etc.)
- Rain gear and warm layers (check the weather!)
- Sack lunch and snacks (to refuel)
- Full water bottle (we will have a jug on-site for re-fills)
- Travel mug for tea/coffee
The event will happen rain or shine!
What will volunteers be doing at the event?
While the exact tasks can vary, our projects focus on improving the forests and parks in our local cities. Healthy and thriving forests are vital to our community because they absorb and filter rain water, produce clean oxygen, provide living spaces for wildlife, and create a place for people to connect with the outdoors.
In order to help create healthy forests, the work can include:
- Removing aggressive weeds (like English Ivy or Himalayan Blackberry)
- Maintaining areas where these weeds have been removed (weeding or spreading mulch)
- Planting trees and shrubs during the rainy season (often ~Oct.-Feb.)
Groups
If you are coming as a group, the group leaders are expected to have an active role in our events. Please get in touch with volunteer@earthcorps.org before the event to make sure everything is in order. On the day of the event, make yourself known to the staff (in bright yellow vests) and arrive early in order to help guide your group members.
Youth Policy
Youth under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or responsible adult. All volunteers between the ages of 14 and 17 that are not with a parent or guardian must bring a filled out Youth Waiver the day of the event.
Youth and school groups are welcome to attend; leaders should contact the Volunteer Team to take care of all necessary preparations.
Directions
Meeting Location:
Just north of Everett, off the east side of Hwy 529 at 40th Pl. NE
Driving Directions:
From the North:
- Take I-5 South to exit 198 (Hwy 529/ N. Broadway/Port of Everett).
- Stay on Hwy 529 for approximately 1/2 mile crossing a large drawbridge over Steamboat Slough- get into the right hand lane.
- Turn right onto 34th St immediately after crossing the bridge.
- Stay to the right to loop under the highway, then take a left onto 40th Pl. NE
- Make an immediate right into the Port of Everett Union Slough restoration site parking lot.
From the South:
- Take I-5 north to exit 195 (Marine View Dr/Port of Everett).
- Turn left off the ramp to head north on E. Marine View Dr.
- Stay on E. Marine View Drive for one mile.
- Turn left to merge onto Hwy 529/WA-99 heading north towards Marysville (NOTE: the turn itself isn’t marked, but < ¼ mile before the turn there is a sign that says “Hwy 529: next left”).
- Travel north on Hwy 529/WA-99, crossing over a large drawbridge over the Snohomish River and a smaller bridge over Union Slough.
- After crossing the smaller bridge, turn right onto 40th Pl. NE (if you cross a third bridge over Steamboat Slough, you’ve gone too far).
- Make an immediate right into the Port of Everett Union Slough restoration site parking lot.
From downtown Everett:
- Head north on N. Broadway St (Hwy 529) towards Marysville.
- As you leave Everett, stay in the left hand lane to merge onto Hwy 529/WA-99.
- Travel north on Hwy 529/WA-99 crossing over a large drawbridge over the Snohomish River and a smaller bridge over Union Slough.
- After crossing the smaller bridge, turn right onto 40th Pl. NE (if you cross a third bridge over Steamboat Slough, you’ve gone too far).
- Make an immediate right into the Port of Everett Union Slough restoration site parking lot.