It has been a labor of love to restore the landscapes and waterways at the Preserve. We have updated you throughout the restoration of Hidden Valley, the removal of invasive plants and the work to restore the Ueland Tree Farm parcels to long-term health. As part of this work, we put a focus on plant diversity.
So, why is plant and tree diversity so important?
Plant diversity plays a pivotal role in creating more resilient forestlands that are critical to healthy waterways and clean air. It’s all about relationships! Our ecosystems rely on the intricate web of relationships between different plant species. This creates a natural balance of food and nesting places for aquatic species, birds, and other wildlife.
The assortment of plant species we’ve planted on the Preserve isn’t an accident. We have consulted with experts and worked with the Washington Conservation Corps, scientists and our tribal partners to achieve sustainability and address the impacts of climate change. Ensuring that we include more drought-resistant plants and trees is part of that effort. As we see large swings in temperatures in the Salish Sea region, we want to ensure we have a healthy environment where fish, wildlife and humans can all thrive.
When we create more diverse and properly spaced trees, we increase the forest’s ability to store more carbon and foster healthy canopies that protect plants, keep our waterways cool and provide habitat for animals. That’s why we have been careful to choose flora that have varying capacities to absorb water and maintain slope integrity.
While we base this work on science, I like to think of it as protecting our environment for generations to come. We invite you to visit the Preserve and take a look at the work we’ve completed and the forest health work underway. When you really look, you’ll notice the great diversity of plant life that is the foundation for the healthy ecosystem that is our Preserve.
– Jeff Wirtz, Vice President