Puget SoundCorps activities on Capitol Campus next week will help protect water quality in Puget Sound

A Puget SoundCorps crew will remove invasive plant species on the Capitol Campus to help protect Puget Sound water quality April 29 through May 2.

The crew will remove English ivy and other invasive species that harm trees in forested areas on both East and West Campus.

  • West Campus: South of the Pritchard and John L. O’Brien Buildings.
  • East Campus: East of the Department of Transportation headquarters.

The activities will help protect water quality in Puget Sound by improving the health of trees and forested sites. Healthy trees reduce soil erosion, especially on steep slopes, and filter stormwater before it enters Capitol Lake and Puget Sound.

Trees also provide habitat for native plant species and their pollinators. English ivy, Himalayan blackberry and other invasive species harm trees by competing for water and nutrients, sometimes killing the trees in the process.

Puget SoundCorps crews support critical projects designed to help restore and protect Puget Sound. The Capitol Campus restoration activities highlight an important partnership among the state departments of Enterprise Services, Ecology and Natural Resources:

  • The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) sponsors the crews, providing urban forestry support to local governments, state agencies and nonprofit organizations.
  • The Puget SoundCorps is part of the Washington Conservation Corps, an AmeriCorps program administered by Ecology. The Puget SoundCorps provides meaningful environmental service and training opportunities to young adults (ages 18-25) and military veterans.
  • The Department of Enterprise Services (DES) is responsible for stewardship of the Capitol Campus.

The Puget SoundCorps members have supported similar projects on Capitol Campus. In previous years, members removed invasive species from the hillsides below the John L. O'Brien and Pritchard buildings on the historic west Capitol Campus in addition to activities at Heritage and Centennial parks and the Governor's mansion.

More information

Capitol Campus:

DES maintains the state's Capitol Campus, which covers more than 450 acres, and includes four parks and the 260-acre Capitol Lake.
More Capitol Campus Information
DES Public Affairs Manager Linda Kent, (360) 972-6413

Urban Forestry Restoration Project:

The Urban Forestry Restoration Project is a community-assistance program managed by DNR's Urban and Community Forestry Program.

Lean more about the Urban and Community Forestry Program.

DNR Forest Health Communications Manager Stevie Mathieu, (360) 902-1157

Washington Conservation Corps:

As an AmeriCorps program, the WCC creates future leaders through community involvement and mentorship. The WCC has more than 350 members and experienced staff statewide who restore critical habitat, build trails and respond to local and national disasters.
Learn more and apply online.

WCC Communications Coordinator Laura Schlabach, (360) 870-4070.