Earth Week Restoration Project - Friday, April 25
Every year, as part of Earth Week, BCC students participate in a restoration project around the City of Bellevue. We've planted trees, removed invasive species, and picked up trash in an effort to help keep Bellevue clean and green. Past projects have involved the Kelsey Creek Wetlands, Valley Creek Park, King Country native plant holding site, Lewis Creek Park , and Mercer Slough.
This year we are planning to conduct our restoration work on the Bellevue Community College Campus, in conjunction with Teri Eidson, BCC's Grounds Manager, and Laurie Devereaux, Project Manager of the City of Bellevue's Stream Team.
All students, staff, faculty and even administrators are welcome to participate in either event! Sign-up is not required unless you are bringing group. For more information about either event, please contact Rob Viens at rviens@bcc.ctc.edu or (425) 564-3158.
Invasive Plant Removal 10:30-2:30
Where: Meet at the sign up tent in the 3A/3B parking lots on the BCC campus. (These are the lots located south of the main entrance of BCC (campus parking lot map)).
When: Please arrive by either 10:40, 11:40, 12:40, or 1:40 for a short orientation to the work that will be done.
What: The green areas around the BCC parking lots are full of invasive plants, which have led to the disappearance of many of our native plants. BCC grounds staff are currently working to remove these invasives, in order to create a more healthy habitat for native plants and animals. As part of this project we will be working with grounds crews to remove some of these non-native plant species.
What to Bring: All volunteers should be prepared to work outside, even if it is raining. Shoes that can get muddy or wet are important and please do not wear open-toed shoes. Tools will be provided.
Note: One of the major plants will be removing is Scotch Broom - if you have bad pollen allergies you might consider the Storm Drain Project below as an alternative.
Storm Drain Labeling 12:30-3:00
Where: Meet in Room C130.
When: At 12:30 there will be a mandatory 15 minute orientation.
What: In the City of Bellevue (unlike Seattle) all storm water that drains off of roads and parking lots goes directly into our local streams. In order to raise awareness of this issue, we will be labeling the 250 storm drains on campus with a message that says "Don't Pollute - Drains to Richards Creek" (see photo above).
What to Bring: All volunteers should be prepared to work outside and where shoes for walking around the campus. Tools will be provided.
Note: Because this project involves gluing down the labels, it will only be possible if the weather is nice and the ground is dry. On Friday morning we will make a decision as to whether conditions are favorable or not. If the project is canceled because of the weather, Laurie Devereaux will present a talk on Storm Water Pollution in C130, and the storm drain labeling will be rescheduled for a latter date.
BCC Earth Week is organized by the BCC Student Science Association. For more information contact Rob Viens in the BCC Science Division at rviens@bcc.ctc.edu or (425) 564-3158.
