Habitat Restoration

Habitat Restoration Program

The Habitat Restoration Program engages youth and adult volunteers in hands-on restoration activities in the Cedar River watershed, and also in the greater Lake Washington watershed.  Volunteer activities include the removal of invasive species and weed suppression, planting of native plants, irrigation installation, watering of newly planted natives, and continual management adopt-a-site restorations. 

Restoration events occur in the protected municipal watershed, as well as in the lower basin. As we grow, we're seeing more and more opportunity to restore urban and rural habitats throughout the Cedar River and Lake Washington watersheds. More than anything, we love caring for the watershed in the beautiful natural reaches of the Cedar River with people like you! You are all wonderful!

Get involved! Find restoration events to attend on the calendar, or sign-up to receive email announcements of upcoming events.

Habitat Restoration Volunteering FAQ

Restoration Work Parties

These ongoing work parties engage youth (12 years of age and older) and adult volunteers in hands-on restoration activities in the Cedar River Watershed. Past volunteer activities have included the removal of invasive plants, weed suppression and planting of native flora in reclaimed sites, and continual management of adopt-a-site restorations. In 2008, almost 1000 volunteers contributed 3700+ hours. Upcoming events are regularly advertised via eCurrents, FCRW's electronic newsletter, and are posted on our online events calendar. FCRW hosts about 24 restoration events per year.

Crew Leader

Regular participants in restoration projects and other individuals skilled in restoration efforts can become crew leaders, assisting community volunteers in safely accomplishing restoration work projects. Crew Leaders may also develop, with guidance from FCRW and Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), ongoing self-supervised restoration efforts in the Rattlesnake Lake Recreation Area e.g., ongoing noxious weed management efforts (see below).

Recruitment Networking

People like to volunteer alongside their friends. Habitat Restoration events provide a social gathering with a purpose. We are seeking community leaders who can help recruit their friends and associates for restoration projects. Sometimes a recruitment networking volunteer will recruit enough people for their own event. Other times, a this volunteer will recruit a bunch of people to bring along to a scheduled event providing an opportunity to make NEW friends with a similar bent toward conservation and restoring ecosystems. FCRW gives recruitment networking volunteers a schedule of events. Volunteers commit to a minimum number of recruits.