UPCOMING EVENTS for the Homeschool Stewardship Squad (2nd Thursdays & 4th Wednesdays 11-2)
Thurs 9/12: Belmondo Reach, Renton, KC Parks *swimming/salmon*
Wed 9/25: O’Grady Natural Area, Enumclaw, KC Parks *salmon*
Squad had a spectacular summer day at Tolt MacDonald Park on the Snoqualmie River with King County Parks. After giving the lazy black bear a wide berth on the trail, we walked through the woods to a sweet swimming spot on the river where we tackled noxious tansy. Not everyone got to see the bear, but it was an exciting first for squad!
King County lists two species– tansy ragwort / Jacobaea vulgaris and common tansy / Tanacetum vulgare as noxious. We prioritized clipping seed-heads before they could wind disperse the seeds, also pulling up the stocks if practical. The seed-heads had to be thrown away in a trash bag. Other interesting species to see included a toad in the pond created by a river offshoot being cut off, which also held small fish! The mellow river was a delight after a warm day of work.