Fall 2024

2024 Annual Newsletter

The Fall 2024 newsletter recaps a busy year of flood-proofing the Lake and Marsh trails, removing hazardous cottonwoods and clearing invasive plants, and explains why the commission launched a $100,000 Special Projects Fund for 2025–26. It thanks long-time volunteers, introduces the commissioners, explains the Preserve's habitat havens, and includes a two-fund donation form. The separate insert repeats the donation form with a map of the priority trails.

In this issue

  • The Lake and Marsh trails were raised against flooding; dying cottonwoods were removed; poison hemlock, purple loosestrife and ivy were cleared.
  • Tree work drew heavily on reserves. Typical annual maintenance costs about $35,000, and Hunts Point and Yarrow Point each give $10,000 a year.
  • A $100,000 capital campaign, the Special Projects Fund for 2025–26, mostly for Lake and Marsh trail and habitat repair, plus a new management plan, signage, benches and a maintenance-area fence.
  • More than $15,000 was raised after the August kickoff, toward a goal of $40,000 by year end.
  • Thanks to Bruce Jones and David Bergey for two decades of hands-on stewardship, and to the Seattle Garden Club for its April work party.
  • The commission asks for volunteers (bird-migration tracking, social media) and wildlife photos.