West Seattle Blog… | WEST SEATTLE SCENE: Restoration in the rain at Seola Pond

(WSB photos)

Earlier this week, on a rainy afternoon similar to today’s, dozens of volunteers spent hours planting in the garden Send pond Wetland [map], works with a resident of Arbor Heights Scott Dolfaywho has been leading restoration work there for years.

This week’s volunteers included dozens of students and staff Explorer West Middle School and The bridge school (both WSB sponsors). Dolfay explains, “The planting was the culmination of previous work this year, starting with site preparation by Dirt Corps, funded by the King County’s Noxious Weed Control Program. When restoration work began in 2017, 2 grants were received; one of The Washington Native Plant Society, the other from the King County Nonincorporated Community Service Area Program. After a year-long hiatus, KC’s harmful weed control program began funding both site preparation and the purchase of native plants in 2019. In addition, volunteers have joined forces with some local companies. “

Seeking another grant from King County to keep the project going, Dolfay adds that the community’s help has been invaluable: “As always, volunteers can be budget-friendly. The people also provided native plants from their gardens. ”As mentioned in our 2017 report, the site – along the Seattle / King County line without legal personality – is used as a neighborhood open space in addition to its official function as a rainwater reservoir. It is also home to wildlife – including the ducks we saw during the restoration work party: