Nisqually Land Trust

Nisqually Land Trust and Partners

Receive National Recognition

Coastal America Confers Spirit Award for Red Salmon Creek Restoration

Nisqually Land Trust President and Red Salmon Creek Site Steward Linda Kunze receive the Coastal America Partnership's Spirit Award from EPA's Rick Parkin

The Coastal America Partnership has chosen the Nisqually Land Trust and its partners to receive its prestigious “Spirit Award.” The award, recognizes the Red Salmon Restoration Team (Nisqually Land Trust, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Nisqually Tribe, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Veterans Conservation Corps, Nisqually Stream Stewards, Pierce County Stream Team, school groups, local businesses and many, many volunteers) for its successful collaboration to restore important salmon-producing habitat.

Coastal America chose the project because it contributed to the largest estuary restoration project in Puget Sound and because it included science classes from the community in the restoration project. The organization is a partnership of federal agencies, state and local governments and private organizations working together to protect America’s coastlines,

Linda Kunze, who was the Land Trust’s stewardship coordinator during project implementation and the current Site Steward for Red Salmon Creek, appreciates the recognition.

"People who do this kind of work are doing so from their hearts and to reconnect with the land, and they don’t expect any recognition,” said Kunze, who had just returned from pulling ivy at the restoration site. “It is special when their work is recognized.”

Kunze said the project brought together a wide variety of partners—neighboring landowners, school and volunteer groups, local businesses and government agencies—together to protect Red Salmon Creek and priceless downstream estuary habitat.

“When you think of what this property could have ended up as, it is especially wonderful to see it restored,” explained Kunze. “If Red Salmon Creek’s nutrients or temperature were degraded, the entire east side of the Nisqually Delta would be negatively impacted. Every little creek matters. Restoring them, even one at a time, makes a difference.”

The Land Trust was the lead for this 30-acre restoration on its properties along Red Salmon and Washburn Creeks. With the help of our partners and more than 200 volunteers, we removed five acres of blackberry and ivy from marsh, wetland and upland habitat. The non-native plant removal was followed plantings of over 8,500 native trees and shrubs that improve spawning habitat for chum salmon and rearing habitat for threatened Chinook and steelhead. The restoration also protects water quality and prevents the spread of invasive vegetation.

Our most recent survey shows that the trees and shrubs planted for this restoration are doing very well, surviving the very hot, dry summer of 2009. The Land Trust applauds and thanks Linda Kunze, our partners and our many enthusiastic volunteers.

Controlling invasive species is an ongoing challenge at this site and there will be periodic work parties to control obstinate blackberry and ivy patches. The Land Trust will also begin restoration of the nearby newly-acquired Bannister property this spring. To receive work party notifications, please call (360) 459-1111 or email Joe Kennedy at landsteward@nisquallylandtrust.org.