The Alevin, Roosevelt Elk Calves and Pacific Chorus Frogs Plant Plants at Connelly Creek

Fall was in full force as we gathered at the park and ride before walking down to our service site at Connelly Creek in Happy Valley Park.  We could see our breath when we spoke and the trees had mostly lost their green summer foliage.  As we made our way down to the service site, some of us remembered that the falling of the leaves and dropping temperatures marks the return of salmon throughout the Northwest region.  Many of us remembered seeing salmon in Chuckanut Creek at Arroyo park, but none of us had ever seen salmon in Connelly Creek. We knew that in the past Connelly Creek held salmon runs, but due to habitat loss, they no longer run in this stream.  We took this understanding and translated it into motivation for the day as we looked to further the restoration effort at our service site.

Connelly Creek, hopefully full of salmon soon!

At earlier service outings this year, some BEC groups had set up large wire cages in which we were tasked with planting trees.  When we arrived this morning there were various native plants (Ninebark, Blue Spruce, ect) placed inside of the cages so we got to work getting these in the ground.

While we were planting these plants, we put cardboard or canvass material around the base of the plant as an added insurance against reed canary grass sprouting through our mulch and suffocating the plants that we want to grow at this site.

Giving some native plants a permanent home

A baby Spruce

We worked well at getting the plants into the ground and after that it was time to mulch.  We had a big pile supplied by the city that we needed to move into the cages where we had planted the native plants.  We mulched the the inside of each cage to a depth of ~8"!  That seems a bit excessive but we know how tenacious reed canary grass is so we didn't want to take any chances.

Some mulchers a'mulching

The mulch train to the back cage

Gently planting each one

One of the great opportunities that service outings provide is for boys of different ages to get to work together.  Sometimes, the older boys accept their responsibility to lead by example.  Sometimes, the excitement of having so many explorers and so much energy in one space creates a situation where it is difficult, even for older explorers, to remain on task and intentional in thier focus.  There was a mix of both of these situations today. The good news is that upon reflection in our closing circle, the older explorers were able to recognize that they lacked focus at times and were able to articulate why it was important to be good role models for the younger boys.  Of course, we are not asking (or expecting!) perfection, and recognizing where we have room to improve ourselves is the first step toward growth.  As mentors, we are humbled by the commitment that these boys show to themselves and their community by arriving at each outing with curios minds and compassionate hearts and we are honored to help guide them on their personal development paths.

Be sure to check out the rest of the photos from the day here!