Serving Connelly Creek with the Alevin Explorers

The last time we were at Connelly Creek was in the spring. Since that time, based on our observations, the land had changed quite a bit. The stream was about eight inches higher than it was the last time we saw it. Leaves were falling, willows and cottonwoods had grown, and the leaves on some of the blackberries were turning a dark red. Further in, remnant blackberry roots from the area where we had removed them had been busily pushing up new canes over the summer. Through the mulch, a fine mat of blackberries had surfaced. The alderss had grown at an almost unbelievable rate, and even the very small ones were now large enough to be a good bet at growing into adulthood. Underneath these trees, the reed canary grass had turned a pale tan --- dying back considerably. The land had changed, and we were there to serve under new conditions. It was very evident that our work had impact, and this was the time to assess the impact, to see conditions as they are, to form a plan, and to snap into action.

Of course all these observations came in accord with plenty of play and exploration. The Daredevils Club Explorers joined our group an hour after the Alevin had started, and it wouldn't be an Explorers club outing if we didn't work in a little bit of sneaking and play. The Alevin hid as the Daredevils Club approached. But the Daredevils Club had a surprise for us, coming from a direction that we had were not expecting. We managed to surprise one another, and after this initial meeting we all got together and figured out how to serve the land as one. Alevin Explorers started off with tools. We assessed what we had and how to use it. We looked hard at the blackberries and admired this plant for its tenacity and the story of where it came from. We looked at how the roots work and how it makes berries. We also looked at what life around it and consider the relationships that a Blackberry develops. We finally considered how the blackberry is not and evil or bad plant, but it is simply out of balance here, and the land needs change and deep roots in order to retain its soil and cultivate a stream that we salmon can run.

We started by getting in at the roots. Quite a bit of work getting at those roots, and it took a lot of team effort. Not long into it, one of the mentors even broke a shovel. Of course we discovered all kinds of strange things under that mat of blackberries and mulch. But little by little our intention manifested, and we filled buckets with fresh canes and deep roots. Some explorers got into the reed canary grass again, and once Daredevils Club Explorers joined us, we ended up taking turns with different tools and different tasks.

This was a magical routing, as the two groups melded well and there was a good flow of work, of connection, of play, and of learning. After a solid period of work, we all gathered up in a large circle and talked about some exciting news. The culvert that had impeded the salmon for many decades had finally been removed, and residents had spotted salmon swimming upstream. For the first time in maybe seventy years, the stream had salmon. Our work was being enjoyed by the natural community, and it was apparent that there was more work to do. We switched tasks and removed an obstruction within the stream, watching the water flow freely and recognizing that the salmon would have a chance to get further up.

We ended with a good closing meeting, considering what this place was like before we started and what it is like now. We appreciated it as it is with nothing to fix. We considered how our relationships had developed. And we gave thanks.

Great job Alevin Explorers! Great job Daredevils Club Explorers! Thanks so much to NSEA and the City of Bellingham for all your wonderful support in this project. Thanks so much to all you parents for your enduring support.

Don't forget to check out pics from our outing in our photo gallery.