After several days of drenching rain, the sun was shining and the birds were singing as 22 intrepid volunteers organized by Friends of Green Lake (FOGL) finished restoring approximately a quarter acre along the southeast shoreline of Green Lake. December’s volunteers had removed many blackberry roots in this area, but some of these persistent vines were already regenerating! The group removed remaining blackberry roots and English ivy, and then had a short break for cookies before starting the rewarding work of planting more than 100 native trees, shrubs and perennials. All plants were provided by the Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation.
Restoring dense vegetation along the shoreline will encourage wild birds to again raise their chicks on our urban lake, providing spring flowers for nectar-loving hummingbirds and later in the season, berries for foraging songbirds. Close to the shoreline, red twig dogwood will provide shelter for songbirds and a screen from predators for nesting pied-billed grebes. FOGL volunteers have reported reduced numbers of pied-billed grebe nests over the last two summers (see story on this webpage, under Birds of Green Lake.) Photos courtesy of Mickey Schurr and Garet Munger.
Friends of Green Lake first Saturday of the month work parties are now suspended until fall to avoid disturbing nesting birds. Contact us through this website, or by email to FriendsofGL@gmail.com to receive notices of FOGL meetings and work parties. Friends of Green Lake is an association of volunteers with IRS approved tax-exempt status for environmental, scientific and educational activities. Come join us!
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