I'm finally back in the office after a morning spent mostly out in the sunshine and the tranquil beauty
of the Hylebos. Hillary and I began the day early, with Megan Erkinnen of the Milton-Edgewood Signal.
We put on hip boots and hiked through the West Milton Nature Preserve.
The dogwoods and willows are just beginning to bud out and the site has the sparse look of winter about to leave.
The wetlands are still charged up, full of water from the recent rains.
Our crews have completed a significant amount of thinning of the dogwoods and willows and the site looks vastly different than the last time I visited. The thinning will allow the trees to spread out their branches more and also will allow more light into the site to promote growth of the underplanted species.
In the stream itself, the large wood debris is doing its job, creating habitat, making the stream change course, add a little pool hab here, a little gravel spill there. It's magic stuff!
The site just looks incredible. I don't have anything articulate to write, but...Go, Team Hylebos!!!
More wood crammed in at every angle. Note how several pieces are hanging above the water. This is future in-stream wood.
I did take some pics..and also uploaded some video to our YouTube Channel.
After West Milton, Hillary and I went over to the West Hyleboss Wetlands to meet with the 2009 Advancing Leadership class. This was our 8th (I think) annual tour with the group for their annual quality of life day.
We had a great hike through the park and overall much better than a morning spent stuck to my computer!
Oh, man, warm weather is coming. I love it. Bring on the Spring!