Riparian area of influence Riparian area of influence

Riparian

 area

Riparian area

Aquatic area

Restoring the Watershed

A citizen's guide to riparian restoration

in Western Washington

Ecosystems Education

1/95
Table of Contents

Text and illustrations adapted with permission from:

Thurston Conservation District, "A guide to stream corridor revegetation in Western Washington."

King County Surface Water Management, "Northwest Native Plants: Identification and Propagation

For Revegetation and Restoration Projects."

Thurston County Stormwater, " Thurston County Guide to Pond Planting."

Ben Alexander of Sound Native Plants for text on "How to plant."

Illustrations from Sandra Noel of Noel Design.

Botanical illustrations adapted with permission from University of Washington Press.

Technical assistance by Kit Paulson, Washington State Cooperative Extension.

Riparian zone .............................................................................................................................................1

Why revegetate ..........................................................................................................................................2

Designing the planting .............................................................................................................................3

Where to plant............................................................................................................................................3

When to plant .............................................................................................................................................4

How to plant .......................................................................................................................................... 4-5

Helping the trees survive .........................................................................................................................6

Native plant salvaging ..............................................................................................................................6

Where to get the plants .............................................................................................................................6

Native plant species .............................................................................................................................. 7-9

For more information ................................................................................................................................9

Permits ................................................................................................................................................ 10-11

"We all live downstream" .......................................................................................................................12

Resource List ............................................................................................................................................13

Acknowledgments
Riparian Zone

Why is it so important?

Graphics adapted from "Adopting a stream: A Northwest Guide."

1

 What is a riparian zone?

The term riparian refers to the border of moist soils and plants, next to a body of water, that contains

elements of both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems which mutually influence each other. If you have a

stream or creek running through your land, then you have a riparian zone in your property.

Cover and Habitat

Healthy riparian areas produce an abundance of cover and

shade. The shade keeps water temperatures cool for fish

and other wildlife. The various heights of vegetation along

streams provide shelter, food, and temperature relief for

many birds and other animals.

The moist soil found along the stream encourages the

growth of a very diverse plant community. The seeds and

fruits of these riparian plants provide a year-round food

source for wildlife species. Aquatic insects feed on the leafy

materials that fall into the stream and they, in turn, become

food for fish , birds , small mammals and amphibians.

These creatures attract larger predators like eagles, herons,

coyotes and raccoons. Over three hundred species of Washington wildlife depend on riparian habitat for food and

shelter.

Flood Reductions

The trees and other vegetation found in a healthy riparian area slow flood waters and allow some of the

excess water to soak into the ground bordering the stream. This reduces the likelihood or magnitude of

flooding in downstream communities.

Water Quality Improvements

Riparian areas also filter runoff and sediments from slopes next to the stream. Riparian buffers clean water

by filtering out pollutants, keeping surface water and ground water clean. When flood waters overflow

the banks of streams or rivers, riparian vegetation slows the velocity of the water. Sediments are deposited along the stream banks. The vegetation quickly grows through this sediment, stabilizing its roots and

covering it with plants that utilize the nutrients that could otherwise harm downstream water quality.
Why revegetate?

Graphics adapted from " Adopting a stream: A Northwest Guide."

 2

A healthy riparian area can support and

sustain a diversity of species, from aquatic

insects to fish, plants and wildlife. Animals, fish, plants and people all benefit

from the water, food, shade and shelter

offered in riparian areas.

Wildlife

Eighty-five percent of Washingtons wildlife

species spend at least a portion of their lives

in a riparian area. They come for water, food,

and shelter. River otters can be found resting

on hollow trees and debris piles. Deer can be

seen browsing on seedlings of willow trees,

while birds find protection from predators

for their nests high in the canopy of tall

deciduous trees.

Fish

Plants Plants thrive on the readily available water and nutrients found in riparian areas. A

healthy riparian system can support a diversity of plant species ranging from the

tall, graceful western hemlock, to the favorite resting site of the bald eagles on the

black cottonwood, and the familiar huckleberry shrubs.

A healthy riparian area helps to slow flood waters, reducing property damage

caused by flooding and erosion. Healthy riparian zones also offer cool shade,

soothing scenery, and opportunity for wildlife viewing. People also come to take

part in recreational activities such as camping, picnicking and fishing.

People

Seventy-seven percent of the fish species in Washington inhabit freshwater.

Within a riparian area fish find food , shade from the sun and gravel for spawning.

Cutthroat trout can be seen leaping for mayflies, while schools of young coho

salmon find shelter from predators beneath submerged logs.
3

Graphics adapted from "A guide to stream corridor revegetation in western Washington."

When designing your planting site, site

evaluation is the most important step to

ensure successful planting. The following

questions should be answered:

What is the soil like?

How much sun does the site receive?

How wet is the site?

How steep are the banks?

What kinds of natural vegetation

already exist on the site?

What activities take place around the

site?

When designing a revegetation plan and

choosing trees and shrubs to plant, the soil

Where to plant

Graphics adapted from "A guide to stream corridor revegetation in western Washington."

Vegetated corridors typically range in width from 50 to

350 feet, depending on the characteristics of the sites and

the property owners preferences. Even a small corridor

has value for wildlife and water quality; large corridors

are even more effective.

Helpful tips: Use graph paper to map out your project. This

will help in determining how much plant material is required for

the area of your project.

In very rocky soil, cuttings instead of rooted seedlings

should be planted, since the seedlings have roots which

could be broken off during planting.

Ideal spacing between plants is 2 feet for willow cuttings,

4 feet for seedlings of shrubs and small trees, and 6 feet for

seedlings of larger trees.

Designing the planting

types, drainage, and size of existing vegetation in various areas of the stream corridor should be considered. For instance, one area along a stream may be marshy with loamy soil, while a nearby section

may be drier and rocky. Different types of plants would thrive in each of these areas. Note that the

direction the bank is facing will also influence the conditions for the plants; south-facing banks are

typically more sunny and dry than others.

Establishing a variety of plants is desirable, both for wildlife use and for effectiveness in anchoring the

soil. An ideal plan would include both conifers and deciduous trees and shrubs, of varying heights,

and with different individual characteristics. The diversity of flowers, fruits or berries is important for

attracting a variety of wildlife.

If woody plants such as willow or dogwood are present near the revegetation site or on a nearby

stream, it may be desirable to use cuttings from those native plants for revegetation planting.
4

How to Plant

When to Plant

Prepare the tree planting site by scraping away weeds in

a 2 foot wide circle where the trees are to be planted.

During preparation and planting, avoid stepping in the

stream or throwing soil into it; silt in the stream can

suffocate fish and invertebrates.

How to plant live cuttings or whips: cottonwood,

willow, dogwood

Certain species root easily from cuttings of live stems or

roots. Planting live cuttings is simple, but they must be

placed in the right location or they will not root. Willows, cottonwood, and dogwood cuttings all require

saturated soil to root. If you are planting them on a

steep stream bank, be sure to place them close enough to

the stream so the bottoms of the cuttings reach the water

table.

1. Punch a planting hole into the bank using a piece of

rebar or length of metal rod (see drawing at left). The

rebar should be shoved or hammered into the ground

perpendicular to the slope surface, and deep enough to

reach permanently saturated soil. Rebar hammered

into hard soil can be difficult to pull out, so be sure to

use a long piece and leave enough sticking out to get a

good grip on. Smooth metal rods are easier to remove.

2. Place a cutting or whip into the hole, making sure that

the bottom (angled cut) points down into the ground.

Leave at least 6" of the whip or cutting protruding

above ground.

3. Stomp down hard on the ground around the cutting, or

push a shovel or planting tool into the ground next to

the cutting and wiggle it back and forth, to help close

up the soil around each stem.

Woody vegetation in the form of seedlings or cuttings should be planted from

mid-March to mid-April; the last two

weeks of March is the ideal time. In this

part of the year, the trees are still dormant, so they will be less shocked by

transplanting. Also, planting after the

coldest weather avoids the possibility of

the cold stressing the plants.

Willow cuttings are hardy enough that

they can be planted any time from September through March.

Graphics adapted from "A guide to stream corridor revegetation in western Washington."

18 inches

or 1/2 the

length of the

cuttings

Helpful tips: The plants should be arranged along the stream

so that each is in its preferred condition. For instance, plants

which need lots of water should be planted near the water line.

Plants which require full sunlight should NOT be planted

next to growing plants which will shade them out.
How to Plant......(continued)

How to plant bare-root plants:

Bare root plants require more careful handling than container-grown plants, because the fragile roots

are more easily damaged. They should be planted during the dormant season (approximately October

to April, depending on the weather and the plant species), and they should be irrigated if a prolonged

dry spell follows planting.

1. Place the plants with roots

submerged in a bucket of

water until you need them.

Adding a mild fertilizer such

as fish fertilizer, or a rooting

agent such as Roots or

Vitamin B-12 to the water can

help the plants recover

quickly from transplant shock.

2. Dig a hole one-half times as

deep and wide as the roots. If

the soil conditions prevent

you from digging the hole

deep enough, prune off the bottom of the roots so they can hang down without curling

on the bottom.

3. Remove one plant from the bucket and place it in the hole by holding it so the section of

stem just above the roots (called the root collar) is even with the ground surface, and

the roots dangle in the hole. Use your other hand, trowel, shovel, or an assistant to

gently refill the hole with soil. Break up the soil clumps by crumpling them as you refill

the hole, and dont use clumps of sod and roots in the planting hole. Keep the roots

spread or fanned out as you refill the hole, and take care not to damage the roots.

4. Poke your fingers down into the soil around the roots as you refill the hole, in order to

tamp it down and eliminate air holes that can damage the roots. Refill the hole so that

all the roots are completely covered, but the stem is not buried above the root collar.

Mound up any extra soil around the plant to form a berm for catching and retaining

water. Its better to place the plant a little too deep, rather than placing too shallow so

that mounded soil can wash away and expose the roots.

5. Always water every plant thoroughly after planting.

.

Graphics adapted from "A guide to stream corridor revegetation in western Washington."

Helpful tips: When planting shrubs and trees, wrap stem. Use foil or a plant protector (commercial) to avoid

damage by mice and deer.

 5
Plants typically experience transplant shock for a brief period following planting, especially in the late

spring and early summer. Transplant shock makes leaves wilt, but they should perk up again within a

few days. The plants must be well-watered, especially during the first few weeks after planting. If

prolonged dry, summer weather follows the planting day, be sure to water the plants. The plants

should be well-established in six months to one year. Once established, appropriate native plants

should not require watering. However, the plants will probably need some watering if the first year is

a dry year. Supplemental watering should mimic natural rainfall patterns: water most frequently in

spring and early summer, and decrease watering throughout summer. By August, you should be

watering infrequently; perhaps once every two weeks. After the first year, stop watering most plants

(trees may require additional watering if they show signs of stress during drought years).

Weeding grassy plants such as reed canary grass can improve survival rates of new plants. Removing

too much grass, however, could increase erosion by leaving unprotected soil. Fertilizing the plants is

not necessarily recommended, since native plants should not require additional nutrients. Fertilizer

might also burn the tree roots, encourage the growth of grasses, and pollute the stream. Helpful tips:

If you use a weed whacker, you need to be careful not to damage the bark.

Helpful tips: If the plant survival rate is very low, you may want to check your planting plan and watering

schedule. Replanting in future years may be necessary. If the survival rate is very high, thinning may be

desirable.

Where to get the plants

Typically plants for stream revegetation are purchased from a nursery in the form of bare-rooted

seedlings or cuttings of branches. Conservation-grade plants, which are slightly irregular plants sold

inexpensively in large quantities, are usually available. Some people may choose to grow their own

plants for stream revegetation; there are many different techniques for reproducing plants from seeds

or parts of live plants.

An alternative to purchasing native plants is to salvage or collect them from construction sites or other

sources. This can be an excellent way to provide large inexpensive plants for any restoration project.

However, native plants should be salvaged or collected with the following provisions:

1. Permission from property owners should be received before salvaging.

2. Only salvage or collect in areas that are actually being bulldozed and developed.

3. All permits should be obtained for any salvaging and collecting projects in national forests

or other sites.

4. DO NOT collect endangered plant species.

Plant salvaging is most successful on wet, cloudy days and when plants are dormant (November

through March).

Native plant salvaging

Helping the trees survive

 6
Native Plants

 7

Serviceberry

Amelanchier florida

Red-osier dogwood

Cornus stolonifera

Ninebark

Physocarpus capitatus

Tall Oregon-grape

Mahonia aquifolium

Oceanspray

Holodiscus discolor

Red-flowering currant

Ribes sanguineum

Grows 12 to 40 feet.

Medium-dry moisture tolerance.

Shade tolerant.

Forms extensive thickets.

Berries are eaten by birds and mammals.

Twigs are browsed by deer and elk.

Grows 6 to 10 feet.

Medium-dry moisture tolerance.

Shade tolerant.

Excellent control of soil erosion.

Provides food and cover for wildlife.

Berries are edible to humans.

Grows 15 to 16 feet.

Moist-medium moisture tolerance.

Shade tolerant.

Excellent soil-binding roots.

Food for wildlife.

Easily started from cuttings.

Grows 4 to 12 feet.

Medium-dry moisture tolerance.

Shade tolerant.

Good soil-binding characteristics.

Attractive flowers when blooming.

Food for wildlife.

Grows 12 to 15 feet.

Moist-medium moisture tolerance.

Shade tolerant.

Berries are eaten by bears.

Dense foliage provides cover for wildlife.

Excellent soil-binding roots for stabilizing

streambanks.

Easily propagated from cuttings.

Grows 3 to 6 feet.

Medium moisture tolerance.

Shade tolerant.

Berries are eaten by wildlife.

Ideal for home landscape as well as upland

buffers near streams or wetlands.

Snowberry

Symphoricarpos albus

Grows 3 feet.

Medium-dry moisture tolerance.

Shade tolerant.

Good soil-binding characteristics.

Provides food for wildlife throughout

winter.

Evergreen huckleberry

Vaccinium ovatum

Grows 6 to 8 feet.

Medium-dry moisture tolerance.

Shade tolerant.

Berries are popular with wildlife and

humans.

Forms thickets to provide cover for wildlife.

Naitve plants are usually the best choice forstreamside revegetation because theyareabletosurvive and flourish in the local

environment without extensiveadded care.For successful growth, moisture and sunlight requirements should be taken into

consideration before planting T. hefollowing plants are most likelyto growina ripariansituation, provide cover and food for

fish and wildlife, and stabilizethestreambank.

* The term moisture tolerance refers to the level of soil moisture appropriate for each plant.
Salmonberry

Rubus spectabilis

Native Plants.....(continued)

 8

Grows 4 to 10 feet.

Moist moisture tolerance.

Shade tolerant.

Fruits in late summer.

Often found growing under red alder trees.

Good soil-binding roots.

Well adapted to eroded or disturbed sites.

Fruit is edible and has high value for wildlife.

Grows 15 to 30 feet.

Moist-medium moisture tolerance.

Shade tolerant.

Often found in the understory of coniferous forests.

Excellent soil-binding roots and is very

tolerant of shade.

Provide excellent forage for wildlife. Vine maple

Acer circinatum

Sitka spruce

Picea sitchensis

Grows 60 to 200 feet.

Moist-medium moisture tolerance.

Shade tolerant.

More common on the coast but is welladapted to streamside conditions.

Often a victim of bud-eating insects.

Excellent soil-binding roots that are resistant

to washout or erosion.

Food and cover for wildlife year-round. Nootka Rose

Rosa nutkana

Grows 6 to 8 feet.

Medium-dry moisture tolerance.

Shade tolerant.

Excellent soil-binding roots.

Great as streamside buffer.

Forms thickets for wildlife cover.

Provides food for wildlife.

Hazelnut

Corylus cornuta

Grows 15 to 20 feet.

Medium-dry moisture tolerance.

Not shade tolerant.

Heavy foliage for cover.

Excellent soil-binding roots.

Important source of food for small mammals and some birds.

Black hawthorn

Crataegus douglasii

Grows 20 to 30 feet.

Medium-dry moisture tolerance.

Not shade tolerant.

Excellent soil-binding roots to keep soil

stable.

Well adapted to disturbed sites.

Provides food and cover for wildlife,

especially birds.

Tree creates a good barrier for birds

because of thorns on branches.

Oregon ash

Fraxinus latifolia

Red Alder

Alnus rubra

Grows 40 to 80 feet.

Moist-medium moisture tolerance.

Not shade tolerant.

Great for regenerating disturbed sites.

Provides cover for young birds.

Provides food for wildlife.

Has very shallow root system which often

causes tree to topple into stream, tearing out

the banks.

Grows 60 to 80 feet.

Moist-medium moisture tolerance.

Not shade tolerant.

The only native ash in the Northwest.

According to legends, one is safe from

snakes under the Oregon ash.

Seeds and twigs are browsed by various

mammals and birds.

* The term moisture tolerance refers to the level of soil moisture appropriate for each plant.
Native Plants.....(continued)

 9

Grows 8 to 12 feet.

Moist-medium moisture tolerance.

Not shade tolerant.

Provides food for birds in the winter.

Forms thickets providing cover for wildlife.

Easily survives competition from grasses,

but is sometimes too aggressive and can Hardhack out-compete other planting.

Spirea douglasii

Grows 35 to 50 feet.

Medium-dry moisture tolerance.

Not shade tolerant.

Excellent soil-binding roots that control

erosion along streambanks and in wetlands.

Rapid growth makes it ideal for regenerating disturbed sites.

Branches hang over water providing

aquatic insects for fish food chain as well

as shade for streams.

Black cottonwood

Populus trichocarpa

Grows 150 to 200 feet.

Moist-medium moisture tolerance.

Not shade tolerant.

Fast growing tree and thrives best in wet

conditions.

Great for restoring flooded lands and

other wet habitats.

Ideal sites for nesting birds especially the

bald eagle and blue heron in spring. Douglas-fir

Pseudotsuga menziesii

Grows 200 to 250 feet.

Dry moisture tolerance.

Not shade tolerant.

Common tree in Western Washington.

Fast growing conifer and often found in

company of hemlock and cedar.

Seeds provide food for wildlife.

Western hemlock

Tsuga heterophylla

Black twinberry

Lonicera involucrata

Grows 10 to 15 feet.

Medium moisture tolerance.

Shade tolerant.

Good soil-binding roots.

Provides food for wildlife, especially

birds.

Dense foliage for browsing and cover for

wildlife.

Tolerant of air pollution.

Grows 60 to 225 feet.

Medium-dry moisture tolerance.

Shade tolerant.

Provides winter cover for mammals and

small birds.

Seeds are eaten by most rodents.

Pacific willow

Salix lasiandra

* The term moisture tolerance refers to the level of soil moisture appropriate for each plant.

For more information

Most Conservation Districts hold a plant sale every winter and have access to the Natural Resources Conservation Service

listings of native plant nurseries in the Pacific Northwest. Call your local Conservation District or the following organizations

for more information.

Washington Native Plant Society Washington Native Plant Society

Central Puget Sound Chapter Central Puget Sound Chapter

Post Office Box 576

Woodinville, WA 98072-0576

Center for Urban Horticulture Center for Urban Horticulture

University of Washington University of Washington

Mail Stop GF15

Seattle, WA 98195

Cascadia Quest Cascadia Quest

4649 Sunnyside Ave N. Suite 305

Seattle, WA 98103

King County Surface Water Manage- King County Surface Water Management

700 Fifth Ave Suite 2200

Seattle, WA 98104

Hortus Northwest Hortus Northwest

(A guide to native plant nurseries

of the PNW)

PO Box 955

Canby, OR 97013

Adopt A Stream Foundation Adopt A Stream Foundation

P.O Box 5558

Everett, WA 98206
Any and all development activities, including flood damage restoration or prevention work, construction, land use or any other types of

projects undertaken in, on or near any lake, river, stream, marsh, or other waterbody, may require one or more permits. In order to avoid

unnecessary delays, added costs, or other inconveniences, we strongly recommend you contact the permitting offices of your local county,

state or federal agencies before the planning stages of your project.

The following permits are examples of what may be needed:

Is the project near water? Is the project near water? Will it effect water quality? Will it effect water quality?

Aquatic Lands Authorization

Will trees be removed? Will trees be removed?

Forest Practice Approval

Will wetlands be involved? Will wetlands be involved?

Army Corps

Permit

Is it in the 100-year flood-plain? Is it in the 100-year flood-plain? Does the project cost over $2,500? Does the project cost over $2,500?

Floodplain Development Permit Shoreline Permit

Hydraulic Permit (HPA)

Permits for working in or near Washington streams

What pe What pe What permit do you need mit do you need? mit do you need?

Water Quality Certification

Local Permit

Shoreline permit (RCW 90.58): Land use, work, construction, development or other activities and

projects within the 100-year floodplain or within 200 feet of the shoreline of certain lakes, rivers,

streams, marshes, bogs, swamps, wetlands, floodways, and river deltas may require a Shoreline

Substantial Development Permit. Contact your local planning department.

State Permit

Hydraulic permit (RCW 75.20.100,.103,.106): Work, construction, development or other activities

that will use, divert, obstruct or change the natural flow or bed of any fresh or salt water may require

a written Hydraulic Project Approval. Verbal permission will be granted in emergencies. Contact:

Department of Fish and Wildlife, (360) 902-2534 or the hotline, (360) 753-6618.

Water quality standard modification and/or certification (RCW 90.48): Water quality standard modification and/or certification (RCW 90.48): Work, construction, or other activities, including

chemical applications either in or around any waters, may need a Temporary Modification of Water Quality and/or a Water Quality

Certification. Contact the Department of Ecology, (360) 459-6000.

Floodplain development permit (CFR, Part 60): Floodplain development permit (CFR, Part 60): A Floodplain Development Permit is required for all activity within the 100-

year flood-plain, including buildings, mining, filling, dredging, grading, paving, excavations, drilling operations, and storage of

equipment or materials. Contact your local Planning, Building or Public Works Department.

 10
Who to call for pe Who to call for pe Who to call for permits

Permits........(continued)

State contacts:

Department of Fish and Wildlife (360) 902-2534

Department of Ecology (360) 459-6000

Department of Natural Resources

(360) 902-1100, Aquatic Lands

(360) 902-1400, Forest Practices

Federal contact:

Army Corps of Engineers

(360) 754-3495

In an emergency:

Department of Fish and Wildlife

hotline (360)753-6618

Local Contacts:

Planning Department

Building Department

Public Works Department

State Permit SEPA Review (RCW 43.21C): SEPA Review (RCW 43.21C): Some projects near waterbodies will have to go through SEPA. SEPA

stands for State Environmental Policy Act, and is a process (rather than a permit) geared to mesh with

already existing permits, approvals, and/or licenses. SEPA provides a way to analyze the

environmental impacts of any proposed project. Whether your project must go through the SEPA process will be determined by

the scope of your project and/or through your local or state permitting jurisdiction. Contact the Department of Ecology’s

Environmental Review Section, (360) 459-6025 or 459-6020.

Aquatic lands lease and/or authorization (RCW 79.90): Washington State owns most of the beds and shorelands of navigable

waterbodies, including certain lakes, rivers, and streams. Any proposed uses or actions involving construction, filling, dredging,

drilling, mining, road construction, utility installation, or other activities within the beds or shorelines of certain waters may need

either an Aquatic Lands Lease and/or Authorization. Contact the Washington Department of Natural Resources, (360) 902-1100.

Forest practice approval (RCW 76.09): Forest practice approval (RCW 76.09): Forest activities relating to growing, harvesting or processing timber, road construction

and maintenance, brush clearing, slash disposal, as well as forest chemical applications undertaken around waterbodies or other areas,

may need a Forest Practice Approval. Contact the Washington Department of Natural Resources, (360) 902-1400.

Federal Permit Corps permit (Section 10 and 405): Corps permit (Section 10 and 405): Placement of dredged or fill material in waters and/or wetlands

(including isolated wetlands), as well as the performance of any work in navigable waters of the United

States, requires a Corps Permit. Contact: US Army corps of Engineers (360)764-3495.

 11
Reduce water use in the kitchen, bathroom and yard.

Reduce the size of your lawn. Do not water during times of

water shortages.

Use fertilizers and lawn care chemicals sparingly. Try organic

alternatives to harsh pollutants. Contact your county extension agent for more information.

Recycle paper, cardboard, glass, metals and plastics.

Dispose of or recycle oil, antifreeze, paints and other household chemicals properly. Otherwise, they will eventually

reach the stream, killing fish and wildlife.

Start a compost pile to produce fertile soil from unwanted yard

and kitchen waste.

Carpool whenever possible. Exhaust emitted from cars introduces many pollutants to our watersheds.

Never pour anything down a storm drain. Water and any

contaminants from storm drains flow directly into the nearest

stream, untreated.

Revegetate stream sides with native woody plants.

Build a fence to keep livestock out of streams, providing

protection for the growing plants, and preventing trampling

of the banks and deposition of manure into the stream. For

more information, call your local Conservation District for

assistance.

Build bird houses, provide clean water and feeders for birds.

Landscape with native vegetation that will attract wildlife.

Wherever possible work with neighbors to create vegetated

pathways (corridors) for wildlife to travel.

Neuter your pets to reduce the number of strays or feral

animals. Put bells on cats as a warning to birds and other

wildlife.

Take part in an organized volunteer program to work on

improving riparian areas. Attend local government planning

sessions.

Always ask yourself “What are the other unintended consequences of my actions?”

Individual actions, either positive or negative, may seem small. But multiplied by the millions of us who live in and visit Washington,

these actions have a tremendous cumulative effect.

While some problems created by a growing human population are beyond an individual’s ability to solve, there are many things each

of us can do to lessen the impact on our environment, and consequently to fish and wildlife.

Here are some things you can do to leave a lighter footprint on your environment:

We All Live Downstream

 12
Resource List

For further information on native plants, the following books, handouts and brochures are available:

Recognizing Wetlands and Wetland Indicator Plants on Forest Lands. Richard Bigley and

Sabra Hull. Washington Department of Natural Resources.

Northwest Native Plants: Identification and Propagation for Revegetation and Restoration

Projects. King County Department of Public Works and Surface Water Management Division.

"Suggestion for Streambank Revegetation in Western Washington." Tom C. Juelson. Washington State Department of Game Applied Research Information Report No. 13. February 1980.

Gardening with Native Plants of the Pacific Northwest: An Illustrated Guide. Arthur R.

Kruckeberg. The University of Washington Press. Seattle, Washington. 1982.

Handbook of Northwestern Plants. Helen M. Gilkey and La Rea J. Dennis. Oregon State University Bookstore, Inc. Corvallis, Oregon. 1980.

The Earth Manual. Malcolm Margolin. Hunt & Mifflin. 1982.

For more technical information on stream restoration projects, the following books are available:

Better Trout Habitat: A guide to stream restoration and management. Christopher J. Hunter.

Island Press. Washington D.C. 1991.

Trout Stream Therapy. Robert L. Hunt. The University of Wisconsin Press. Madison, Wisconsin. 1993.

For more information on how to get started, the following departments or local county conservation

districts can be contacted:

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

Habitat Division (360) 902-2534

Washington State Department of Ecology

Shorelands and Coastal Zones Management (360) 407-7250

OR call the Washington State County Conservation Commission

for a listing of your local conservation district office

(360) 407-6200

13
Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will provide equal opportunities to all potential and

existing employees without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, marital status, national

origin , disability, or Vietnam Era Veterans status. The department receives Federal Aide for fish and

wildlife restoration.

The department is subject to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation

Act of 1973, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin or handicap. If you

believe you have been discriminated against in any department program, activity, or facility, or if you

want further information about Title VI or Section 504, write to: Office of Equal Opportunity, U.S Department of Interior, Washington, D.C 20240, or Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, 600 Capitol

Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091.