On Saturday May 21st, nearly 40 volunteers turned out in force to initiate stewardship activities on a newly-acquired parcel along the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River that is under assault from invasive Scot's Broom. As part of an annual event coordinated by Mountains to Sound Greenway promoting stewardship along the I-90 corridor, local AW affiliate Washington Recreational River Runners (WRRR) organized volunteer activities in partnership with King County Parks at a site along the river. Goals of the event were to remove invasive vegetation from riparian areas designated for conservation and restoration, but also to introduce the paddling community to areas identified for future public access to the river between Tanner Road and Mt. Si Road just outside the community of North Bend.

Volunteers included members of WRRR and the Washington Kayak Club along with leaders from the Central Washington University Outdoor Program who participated as part of a guide training class taught by Seattle Raft and Kayak. Ernie Hayden from the Greenway Advisory Council and Jerry Henry, Vice President of Puget Sound Energy and Greenway Board member, also joined the group.

A big thanks to Eric and Tina Myren for helping pull all the volunteers together and taking a leadership role in working with AW to make sure the interests of the rafting community are represented in this exciting project. The project will enhance recreational opportunities along the Middle Fork Snoqualmie for all river users serving both the local community and visitors who come to paddle and fish.