Protecting and restoring a watershed is a monumental task and the Friends recognizes the importance of partnerships in achieving vital conservation goals. As a small nonprofit organization, we have limited financial, staff and expert resources. What we have in ample supply, though, is vision, watershed knowledge and relationship-building skills.

Utilizing these resources, we act as a catalyst to achieve conservation goals. we constantly work to understand watershed needs, identify volunteer, business, and government interests and funding opportunities, and find ways to align these forces in to create on-the-ground projects.

Hylebos conservation is supported by local governments from the city of Federal Way to the City of Milton, and by King and Pierce Counties.

The following examples will give you an idea of the power of partnerships.

Lower Hylebos Marsh - The Friends developed a partnership between the City of Fife and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to purchase a 13-acre property, restore 5 acres of off-channel habitat, plant 28,000 native plants, and create a walking trail and viewpoints for public use.

Spring Valley Ranch - When the Washington Department of Transportation could not find a suitable 20-acre wetland mitigation site for future HOV-lane construction, the Friends helped the agency identify the 20-acre Spring Valley Ranch site as a solution to their needs. The agency purchased this critical Hylebos Chinook spawning site, and is actively restoring the stream and wetlands, and working with the city of Federal Way to fix a perenially flooding problem at the old road crossing.

West Hylebos Illahee Preservation - Federal Way Schools were saddled with a 33-acre Spring Valley area parcel that was undevelopable for schools. The forested property, across from Illahee Middle School, contained important key Hylebos Creek and wetland habitat that significantly reduced, but did not eliminate the potential for future residential development. The Friends developed a partnership with the city of Federal Way, King County, and raised additional funding from the Natural Resources Damages Assessments Trustees and the North American Wetlands Conservation Act Grant program to purchase and preserve the property in 2003.

Karileen - General Metals contacted the Friends seeking mitigation opportunities around Hylebos Creek to satisfy federal mitigation requirements. We helped General Metals identify the 10-acre Karileen property on the West Branch of Hylebos Creek, adjacent Spring Valley Ranch. General Metals purchased the site and is currently planning stream and wetland restoration.

Woodworth Pit - The friends learned that this former gravel pit adjacent the Lower Hylebos Marsh was up for sale. With 700 feet of streamfront and an extensive uplands, this was a valuable habitat to preserve. We contacted colleagues at the city of Tacoma who were looking for mitigation opportunities. After reviewing the site with Friends staff, the city purchased the property and conducted an off-channel habitat restoration project.

HomeStreet Bank Tree Challenge - HomeStreet Bank has been a strong supporter of Hylebos Creek conservation since opening a branch in Federal Way. In 2007, they amped up their support by including the Friends in the regionwide Tree Challenge, matching donations for tree planting up to $5,000. The Challenge was so successful that the Friends raised $16,950 to plant trees and make the Hylebos Watershed greener and healthier.