HyleBlog - Friends of the Hylebos

Wait...is this Monday?

So, I started off the morning by pouring coffee (literally) all over myself. After a change of clothes, it was off to the dentist for a filling and I spent the rest of the morning with no sensation in a good portion of my face. Feels like a Monday!

But beyond whining about my life, things are good. I'm working hard on several articles for the Hylebos Highlights and a couple of press releases.

In between writing articles, Hillary and I interviewed finalists for the Restoration Coordinator position. We're expanding the restoration program from 1 FTE to 1.5 FTE and Hillary has moved to a part-time position that will focus her talents and skills on project planning and design and fee-for-service projects. I hope to be able to introduce our new team member soon!

Benn Gleck for Mayor?

Having some fun in Thinking Locally with cable talking heads...

Forest Health in Federal Way

I recently had a chance to sit down with Federal Way's Interim City Manager (and Chief of Police) Brian Wilson to talk about forest health in the Hylebos and beyond. We've been having a conversation with city staff and council about forest health problems in Federal Way and what we can and should be doing to address those problems.

It's a big problem, but the first step to solving it is defining the problem and the solution.

Don't Forget the Nonprofits

The latest Thinking Locally column looks at the importance of supporting nonprofits as part of your local economy and community. While I didn't come right out and say it, attending Ruby Dance is a wonderful way to do that, and have fun at the same time!

More on the NYT's series on the nation's water pollution problems, this one dealing with agricultural waste and the human health impacts.

Yet runoff from all but the largest farms is essentially unregulated by many of the federal laws intended to prevent pollution and protect drinking water sources. The Clean Water Act of 1972 largely regulates only chemicals or contaminants that move through pipes or ditches, which means it does not typically apply to waste that is sprayed on a field and seeps into groundwater.

As a result, many of the agricultural pollutants that contaminate drinking water sources are often subject only to state or county regulations. And those laws have failed to protect some residents living nearby.

To address this problem, the federal Environmental Protection Agency has created special rules for the biggest farms, like those with at least 700 cows.

But thousands of large animal feedlots that should be regulated by those rules are effectively ignored because farmers never file paperwork, E.P.A. officials say.

Putting it all in perspective, ag waste is a bigger threat than our traditional villians, the stormwater pipe draining from a factory.

Agricultural runoff is the single largest source of water pollution in the nation’s rivers and streams, according to the E.P.A. An estimated 19.5 million Americans fall ill each year from waterborne parasites, viruses or bacteria, including those stemming from human and animal waste, according to a study published last year in the scientific journal Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology.

And I'm happy to see that someone is trying to find out what to do with all that dog waste. Researchers at Cornell are trying to determine whether dog poop composting is practical. The sad thing is if you look at the photo that reminds me what happens if I don't pick up after my dogs in my backyard for a couple of days!

Starting Up Forest Health Program

I had a positive meeting with city of Federal Way officials to discuss our urban forest health program. The Friends will be putting together some public awareness and then a series of volunteer ivy removal efforts at Dumas Bay Preserve this fall. We want to use this pilot project as a launching pad a citywide forest health program.

I came out of yesterday's meeting with the beginning steps of building awareness within city government for the issue. Senior staff know it's a serious issue and would like to collaborate. Next up, I'll make a series of presentations to the Council and commissions with the hope of getting a policy statement for forest health.

In the news. Native bees are filling in the gap (somewhat) left by declining honeybee populations.

More invasives/natives story with a "Yuh Think?!" story. Removing invasive rats from an island has its own ecological problems.

Then an interesting piece about how some of the Stim money is funding Puget Sound tribal members to remove derelict nets from the bottom of the Sound.

The NYT recently published an article about the potential dangers of the common weed killer atrazine, which is commonly found in drinking water supplies.

Saturday...Doing A Bit of Clean-Up

...catching up on some unresolved details from the week, cleaning my computer, blogging and listening to Arsenal (via the Internets) beat the snot out of Portsmouth 4-1.

Latest effort for Thinking Locally in the FW Mirror, talkin' about last week's HOV Lane groundbreaker. BTW, just 'cause I poke fun at Andy's series (which was a very good, informative series, BTW) on medical marijuana, I don't want to leave anyone with the impression that he advocates drug use. And don't let his sleepy-eyed, laconic, Dorito-eating lifestyle fool you, either. Our editor is Straight Edge all the way!

Hylebos Days Photos

I've been catching up on the website and some of the great photos of our events. Here is a Flickr slideshow I put together from Hylebos Days. Thanks to Seth Bynum for sharing the photos with us!

Birds in the 'Burbs

John Marzluff at the University of Washington (Go Dawgs!) has been doing interesting science with birds (you may be familiar with his work on crows) for some time. Last week, I heard this report on KUOW about the results of his somewhat counterintuitive finding that some suburban habitats are actually good for native bird biodiversity.

...researchers found development brings not necessarily extinction but replacement, with new native species colonizing the suburban environments that used to be forests.

Marzluff has advice for homeowners that sounds like he's been looking at my yard (especially the uncut grass):

"People typically like fancier looking shrubs and they like things to be very neat. Birds like native shrubs and messy things. So be messy! Don't cut all the grass. Let some of it grow up and fall over so a junco can nest under it. The native ferns – and salmonberry especially – is an important species."

I followed up this week with a Thinking Locally on birds & burbs.

Here's some great native plant advice from wildlife biologist Russell Link.

Hylebos Days II At The West Hylebos

Saturday came off great as we unveiled the park's Welcome sign and dedicated the interpretive signage system. Lots and lots of folks came through the park yesterday, enjoying the sunshine and a relaxing stroll through the park.

I had the pleasure of touring the park with several of our supporters, including Barry and Lisa Johnson, and their daughter Annika, Kathy Olson and Mark & Joni Herwick. In addition, it was a great day to just meet people, answer questions, and enjoy the world's greatest place.

We'll be at the park again today from 11 to 4, so come on out for a Mother's Day treat - I meant the park, but we will also have cake to give to mothers.

Thanks to King County Councilman Pete von Reichbauer, State Rep. Skip Priest, Federal Way Mayor Jack Dovey, and Federal Way Councilmembers Jeanne Burrbidge and Dini Duclos and Judge Mark Eide for joining us for the sign dedication. Also, a big thanks to my board - President Bob Roegner, Vice-President Margery Godfrey, Secretary Rus Higley (who manned the MaST Center for Seth Bynum's presentation), Julie Brauns, Trish Bennett, and Chris Kelsey.

Now, with that said, here is an article on endangered Puget Sound Abalone.

Hylebos Days Proclamation

Tuesday night, Board President Bob Roegner, Vice-President (and incoming President) Margery Godfrey and I attended the Federal Way City Council meeting to hear the reading of the Hylebos Days proclamation. Margery charmed the room as she addressed the Council and audience, thanking the council for their support and inviting everyone to join us at the park Saturday for Hylebos Days.

Here I am with Margery and Federal Way Chamber of Commerce CEO Tom Pierson, who received his own proclamation for the Chamber's Federal Way First program, encouraging local dollars to be spent at Federal Way businesses.In his remarks, Tom noted the importance of a strong local economy for supporting local needs like the Hylebos conservation effort. (Thanks for the nod, Tom!)

Here's Tom and I mugging for the camera. We are also working together on the Green Ribbon Commission, which is seeking to develop a sustainable Federal Way.

Last and definitely, not least, my Veep and my Pres, Margery and Bob Roegner, cooling their heels, looking magnificent before the reading of the Hylebos Days proclamation.