Spring is in the air! Everyone is getting
ready to begin their spring planting as this warmer weather looks like it is
here to stay. To celebrate the coming spring we have our Native Plant Sale
going on here at Cascadia. Along with our plant sale we hosted our 8th annual
Native Planting 101 Workshop on Saturday February 24th at the Wenatchee Valley
College.
This
workshop features local experts that present on the benefits and the importance
of incorporating native plants into landscapes, restoration projects,
pollinator gardens, and yardscaping. This year we reached our capacity with 45
participants. We received donations of cookies from Sure to Rise Bakery in
Cashmere, coffee from Starbucks, and apple slices from Crunch Pak in Cashmere.
Thanks to the support of these amazing local businesses we were able to offer
some delicious refreshments to all in attendance, making it a little easier to
stay inside on a sunny Saturday afternoon. During our workshop I had the
opportunity to speak with many people who were looking for ways to make their
properties more firewise. It was inspiring to see so many people who care not
only about their properties but about their communities and environment.
Following
the Native Planting Workshop I helped with our after school urban agriculture
program. For one of the final lessons with this group of 26 fourth graders, we
went to the Wenatchee Valley College greenhouse to plant some starts for salsa
container gardens they will take home in the spring. The kids had so much fun
exploring the greenhouse and planting their tomatoes, peppers, and onions.
After planting our seeds, we got to investigate some different invertebrates,
hydroponics, and vermicomposting. One student, Gabe, was inspired by the worms
from the vermicomposting project. At first he didn’t want to even touch a worm,
the idea of getting close to them made him squeal. After we talked about the
importance of worms (and that they don’t have teeth) Gabe ended up spending 15
minutes investigating the worms and was proudly holding more than 50 red
wigglers by the end, showing them off to his classmates with pride and
informing them on his recently learned worm facts.
Being
a part of a team involved in so many amazing programs that help educate and
inspire people of all ages is what I hope to be doing every day. Joining
Americorps and serving with Cascadia Conservation has been such an honor. Every
week I encounter a new challenge and meet new people who care about their
communities and the environment. I consider myself extremely fortunate because
of this opportunity.
I would like to thank Crunch Pak,
Starbucks, Sure to Rise Bakery, our Native Planting 101 presenters: Bob
Gillespie, Julie Sanderson, Ted Alway, and Connie Mehmel, and all of our
volunteers that have been crucial to the continued success of these programs.
The support, whether it is the time put in by our amazing volunteers or the
donation of goods by local businesses, shows just how much the people and
businesses care about our community, the environment, and one another.
If you are interested in getting
involved with Cascadia Conservation District as a volunteer, send me an email,
americorps@cascadiacd.org or call our office at 509-436-1601. You can also go
to our website and sign up to be a part of our volunteer team. Follow the link
below:
http://cascadiacd.org/volunteers_227.html
