Fall is one of the Habitat Improvement Team’s favorite times of the year. The passing of summer’s heat makes field work more pleasant. Leaves change color, adding new shades to the landscape. And rains begin to wet the dry ground, which makes it perfect for planting! The sight of volunteers rolling up to a planting on a crisp autumn morning, together with the smell of coffee and chatter of friendly voices is a special thing. Drawn together to plant trees, work with the earth, connect with nature, and build community amongst strangers – this is the heart of what we do.

But as with nearly everything else in 2020, volunteer plantings this fall won’t be the same as usual. The Habitat Improvement Team, with support from the Washington Conservation Corps and Earth Corps field crews, have been working through the summer to prepare three projects for planting this fall: Camp Murray, Salmon Creek, and South Prairie Creek Preserve. All were intended for volunteer participation, but due to the need to protect ourselves and others during the coronavirus pandemic, we will not be holding large-scale planting events. Most of the planting will be done by our crews. If the local situation improves, we may schedule some small planting parties with a limited number of people. Watch the PCD website and social media channels for any updates.