Help create healthy forest and green space in Everett!

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PLEASE DO NOT SIGN UP ON VOLUNTEER MATCH - SIGN UP HERE: https://www.earthcorps.org/volunteer/event/a0EHn00000QVU8nMAH/
UNION SLOUGH: EVERETT Join EarthCorps and the Port of Everett as we continue to work in the Union Slough natural area on the Snohomish River. Union Slough was created by breaching a dike in the Snohomish River estuary in 2001, restoring tidal flow to a farming field and creating about 8 acres of marsh and mudflat. An additional 4.6 acres were added to the site by another dike breach in 2005. Plants were put in the ground in 2001 and the natural vegetation has been returning ever since, but there are still some aggressive weeds that we could use your help with!

The Basics

We know you are excited to get back to restoring our public green spaces so we implemented some new procedures and protocols to help you safely do so! You can read them here and watch this video to do your part to volunteer responsibly.

We will teach you everything you need to know about tool use, safety, forest health, and the importance of the work you will be doing. No experience necessary, just come ready to learn something new!

For your safety and comfort please bring:

• Clothing that can get dirty (because it will!)
• Long pants and long sleeves (helps protect against prickly plants)
• Sturdy shoes that can handle some mud (closed toed shoes are required)
• Rain gear and warm layers -OR- sun protection (check the weather!)
• Sack lunch and snacks (to refuel)
• Full water bottle (we will have a jug on-site for re-fills)

What will volunteers be doing at the event?

While the exact tasks can vary, our projects focus on improving the forests and parks in our local cities. Healthy and thriving forests are vital to our community because they absorb and filter rain water, produce clean oxygen, provide living spaces for wildlife, and create a place for people to connect with the outdoors.

In order to help create healthy forests, the work can include:​​​​

• Removing aggressive weeds (like English Ivy or Himalayan Blackberry)
• Maintaining areas where these weeds have been removed (weeding or spreading mulch)
• Planting trees and shrubs during the rainy season (often ~Oct.-Feb.)

Youth Policy

Youth under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. All volunteers between the ages of 14 and 17 that are not with a parent or guardian must submit a digital Youth Waiver before the day of the event.

The digital waiver process is first initiated when the youth participant registers online. After the youth participant enters parent/guardien details, the digital waiver will be sent to the parent/guardian for two part authentication.

DirectionsMeeting Location:
Just north of Everett, off the east side of Hwy 529 at 40th Pl. NE

Driving Directions:
From the North:

• Take I-5 South to exit 198 (Hwy 529/ N. Broadway/Port of Everett).
• Stay on Hwy 529 for approximately 1/2 mile crossing a large drawbridge over Steamboat Slough- get into the right hand lane.
• Turn right onto 34th St immediately after crossing the bridge.
• Stay to the right to loop under the highway, then take a left onto 40th Pl. NE
• Make an immediate right into the Port of Everett Union Slough restoration site parking lot.

From the South:

• Take I-5 north to exit 195 (Marine View Dr/Port of Everett).
• Turn left off the ramp to head north on E. Marine View Dr.
• Stay on E. Marine View Drive for one mile.
• Turn left to merge onto Hwy 529/WA-99 heading north towards Marysville (NOTE: the turn itself isn’t marked, but < ¼ mile before the turn there is a sign that says "Hwy 529: next left").
• Travel north on Hwy 529/WA-99, crossing over a large drawbridge over the Snohomish River and a smaller bridge over Union Slough.
• After crossing the smaller bridge, turn right onto 40th Pl. NE (if you cross a third bridge over Steamboat Slough, you’ve gone too far).
• Make an immediate right into the Port of Everett Union Slough restoration site parking lot.

From downtown Everett:

• Head north on N. Broadway St (Hwy 529) towards Marysville.
• As you leave Everett, stay in the left hand lane to merge onto Hwy 529/WA-99.
• Travel north on Hwy 529/WA-99 crossing over a large drawbridge over the Snohomish River and a smaller bridge over Union Slough.
• After crossing the smaller bridge, turn right onto 40th Pl. NE (if you cross a third bridge over Steamboat Slough, you’ve gone too far).
• Make an immediate right into the Port of Everett Union Slough restoration site parking lot.