Land that is scheduled for clearing and development can still provide benefits to habitat elsewhere in King County – but only with the help of volunteers.

King County’s native plant salvage program is looking for volunteers to take part in a Saturday salvage effort in Black Diamond. Volunteers are needed to dig out native trees and shrubs from property that is going to be cleared, then pot the vegetation at the King County native plant holding facility near Sammamish for future use.

Salvaged native plants will be used to enhance local habitat restoration projects by reducing erosion, shading streams, wetlands and estuaries and improving fish and wildlife habitats throughout King County.

Volunteers can get their hands dirty for a worthy environmental cause from 9 a.m. to noon at the salvage site or from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the native plant holding facility in Sammamish.

For information or to sign up for either event, contact Cindy Young at 206-296-8065 or cindy.young@kingcounty.gov.

To learn more about King County’s Native Plant Salvage Program, visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/stewardship/volunteer/plant-salvage-program.aspx.

Directions from Enumclaw to the Black Diamond salvage site: take state Route 169 to Black Diamond; turn left onto Roberts Drive; go approximately 1.5 miles and watch for sign on left; turn left on a gravel road and into the site.

Those who dig for King County from 9 a.m. to noon can dig plants for themselves from noon to 2 p.m.

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