AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) team began work with PCD on February 1st, 2021. Despite the uncertainty of this past year and the threat of Covid-19, the NCCC crew was able to return for service and help carry on our mission and goals amongst our many different teams and programs. NCCC members are organized into teams and serve in local communities in all 50 states. NCCC teams complete four different 6-8 week-long projects in different locations across the country during their 10-month term of service. We are thrilled to have been awarded this team because there are so many projects, we have going on.

NCCC will be working on a variety of sites ranging from farmland at Haven Creek Farm, preserved land at South Prairie Creek, and suburban trails at Dead Man’s Pond, as well as many other unique sites throughout Pierce County.

Some highlights include clearing and digging up roughly 3,000 square feet of Himalayan blackberry at our restoration site along the White River. They also provided maintenance on community plantings at our 2018 and 2019 Orca Recovery Day sites, in addition to invasive plant removal on 0.31 acres of marine riparian areas on public shorelines. As of print, the NCCC crew continues to work through current projects and are set to complete several more with PCD through the beginning of March.

From invasive species removal to streamside restoration plantings, it has been a privilege to work alongside the crew and witness their many accomplishments.

WEEKDAY WORK PARTIES
Traditionally our volunteer opportunities are on Saturdays, but we have heard that many of you are available Monday – Friday to help, and we would like to work with you too! Work parties are generally 2-3 hours, in the morning when it is cooler. All you have to do is contact us and let us know some dates/times you are available, and we will work to get a staff member to support your interest (contact info below). We can provide all tools and PPE, but if you have your own and want to bring it, that is preferred so we can use our supplies on those who do not. All ages welcome! Many parents plan to use this time as an outdoor classroom, we are always excited to teach kids some new things. If you let us know if there is a topic you want us to discuss while protecting our native plants from being taken over by invasive plants, just let us know! We can tailor our conversations to their interests or classroom topics if you let us know in advance.
Please contact CalebM@piercecd.org or call him @ (253) 358-0088 for questions or to RSVP!

HABITAT STEWARDSHIP WORK PARTIES
PCD supports many Habitat Stewards who host work parties in habitat restoration on a monthly basis. They would love to be able to work with you and show you why their work is so important to Pierce County’s overall quality of life!

Most work parties occur on Saturday mornings from 9am – 12:00. Check out our calendar to find the opportunity right for you, and to RSVP using our online form. See you out there!