Volunteer this Fall with Bainbridge Island Metro Park & Recreation District’s Natural Resources team
The Bainbridge Island Metro Park & Recreation District (BIMPRD) is hosting more than a dozen volunteer work parties this fall in parks, trails, and natural areas across the island. Join the Natural Resources team as they continue with ongoing restoration projects at the new mountain bike and off-leash dog park site, maintain trails at the Grand Forest, and many other hands-on tasks.
After an August break filled with Student Conservation Corps, Trails Crew, and many more hot-weather projects, the Park District’s Natural Resource team is back hosting monthly work parties. With more than a dozen projects scheduled through November, their staff will lead volunteers on many ongoing projects in our trails, parks, and natural areas.
Volunteer work parties are an excellent way to develop new skills and learn about the restoration initiatives the Park District is working on. They are also perfect for sports teams, organizations, or companies to come together for an engaging, outdoor team-building experience.
In addition to work parties, BIMPRD’s Natural Resources team hosts a new Park Steward Program. Park Stewards are volunteers trained by their staff in trail maintenance, invasive species management, and more.
For more information, contact Volunteer Program Manager Morgan Houk at morganhouk@biparks.org. To sign up for monthly updates on work party locations, visit our website, www.biparks.org/volunteers.
Conservation Work Party
Where — Strawberry Hill Park, 7666 NE Highschool Rd
Time — 10:00 AM-Noon
Dates — September 10, October 8, November 12
Description — Join Bainbridge Island Park District, the Bainbridge Island Parks & Trails Foundation, Gear Grinders, the Bainbridge Island Mountain Biking Club, Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance, and the Dog Advisory Committee for three Saturdays of invasive species removal at the site of our new bike park and expanded off-leash dog park at Strawberry Hill Park.
Work includes removing weeds such as ivy, holly, scotchbroom, and blackberry to make room for native plants including evergreen huckleberry, oso berry, sword fern, and more to transform this wooded area into a healthy ecosystem for plants, animals, and mountain bikes!
This work party is well suited for children ages 8+ who are comfortable using some small hand tools.
Trails Work Party
Where — Grand Forest West/East, 9752 Miller Rd NE
Time — 10:00 AM-Noon
Dates — September 24, October 22, November 26
Description — Join the Bainbridge Island Park District trails team in conducting maintenance to the Grand Forest West and East trails to return sections of the trail to Class 1 standards, pruning vegetation, raking trail surfaces, and more.
This work party is well suited for children ages 8+ who are comfortable using some small hand tools and walking a mile or so throughout the two-hour work party.
Moritani Preserve Work Party
Where — Moritani Preserve, 542 Winslow Way W
Time — 10:00 AM-Noon
Dates — September 15, October 20, November 17
Description — Join the BIMPRD’s Natural Resources team in caring for the woods and meadows of Moritani Preserve by managing invasive species, maintaining garden beds, and planting natives when the weather is right.
Red Pine Park Work Party
Where — Red Pine Park, 418 Wood Ave SW
Time — 10:00 AM-Noon
Dates — September 13, October 11, November 8
Description — Work with BIMPRD’s horticulture staff to maintain garden beds, an historic fruit orchard, edible perennials, and other historic plantings in this former homestead in the heart of downtown.
Photo and content credit: Bainbridge Island Metro Park & Recreation District, Bainbridge Island Parks & Trails Foundation
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