Tag Archives: Sustainability

Earth Day 2010 in Crown Hill

Crown Hill neighbors are urged to join the Earth Day event on April 17 in our neighborhood. Carkeek Park is setting up teams that will fan out on our streets surrounding the park and do three things: (1) stencil on storm drains the caution about dumping waste, (2) distribute one-page flyers to homes regarding pet waste, and (3) pick up trash along roadways and in public spaces.

What’s up with stenciling drains? There are over 100 storm drains in the Piper’s Creek watershed that send stormwater through the Park and into Puget Sound. Runoff from roads and gutters contributes lots of gunk to Puget Sound every year. Studies show that marking storm drains with the message “Dump No Waste, Drains to Stream” doubles community awareness.

Come to the Park’s Environmental Education Center at 8:30 a.m. to get matched up with a 3-5 person team, pick up supplies, and get your assignment of streets to cover. Just a few hours of work, then an Earth Day celebration with pizza at noon.  Bring work gloves and remember to dress for all sorts of weather.

It is helpful if you register in advance by calling 386-9154 to help Park staff figure appropriate numbers of stencils, trash bags, etc.

Salmon return at Carkeek, Neighbors have expert guide for viewing

Enjoying a leisurely Saturday morning following Thanksgiving, 11 Crown Hill residents walked to Carkeek Park to check out the annual chum salmon return to Piper’s Creek.  Doug Gresham, a wetlands ecologist and CH resident, provided expert commentary on the life cycle of salmon and the restoration project in Piper’s Creek.

Salmon Walk
Salmon Walk

Continue reading Salmon return at Carkeek, Neighbors have expert guide for viewing

Tree Pruning Class, Aug 14th, 2010

CityFruit Logo

City Fruit will be hosting two Summer Fruit Tree pruning classes in Seattle this summer. These are hands on classes taught by some of the most experienced teachers in the area. To register: click on the link of the class you want to attend (These link to the class registration at Brown Paper Tickets). You can also send a check, with the name of the class and your contact information to City Fruit, PO Box 28577, Seattle 98118.   Cost is $15 for City Fruit members, $20 for non-members.  After registering, you will receive confirmation and the address of the class.   If you can’t afford a class but really want to learn, email us at info@cityfruit.org.

Aug 14  Summer Pruning, South Seattle. 10:00 am – noon.  Summer pruning discourages excessive new growth and “can be used to slow down overly vigorous trees or trees that are too large” (P. Vossen).   It is most effective between June and late September.  This class mixes lecture with hands-on demonstrations in a south Seattle urban orchard.  Bill Wanless is co-owner of brooke/wanless gardens, specializing in pruning of small trees, shrubs and vines.  He is an ISA-certified arborist with 20 years’ field experience.

Comments on Bill’s last class:  “Bill knew what he was talking about, had a nice demeanor, and seemed to really enjoy pruning.”  “He made sure we covered all of the relevant content and answered our questions.”  “Clear explanations.  Good hands on demonstration.” “He knew the subject well.”