The following is a summary of our completed restoration projects. Follow the embedded links to find out more about specific projects!

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North Fork/Spring Valley Revegetation

 
In 1999 the City of Federal Way removed an old, partially blocked culvert under a disused farm road in the Spring Valley Open Space property. This project improved fish passage to the upper reaches of the North Fork of Hylebos Creek, and restored 90 feet of stream channel with log structures and pools.

Following construction, on Earth Day 2000 the Friends organized their first ever volunteer habitat restoration project. Not knowing what kind of response to expect, the Friends’ staff was delighted to have 78 volunteers turn out to plant 614 native trees and shrubs.

Proponent: City of Federal Way, Friends of the Hylebos
Cost: Approximately $10,000
Status: Completed, 2000

Volunteers: 78

Volunteer Hours: 470

No. of native plants:  614

Click here for more project information and photos!

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Brooklake Habitat Restoration Project

  
The project site is a former blueberry farm bordering 800 feet of the West Branch of Hylebos Creek on the downstream end of the West Hylebos Wetlands. The riparian area had been cleared by previous landowners and the riparian area and stream channel were damaged by flooding. The city of Federal Way purchased the property in 1991 and managed part of the property as a blueberry farm. The rest of the property was overgrown with invasive Himalayan blackberries. In several phases, since 2002, the Friends cleared Himalayan blackberry from 80,000 square feet and replanted with native trees and shrubs. The Friends also installed 14 engineered large woody debris structures in the stream to enhance salmon habitat and stream structural diversity.

Total Site Acreage: 10 acres

Restoration: Blackberry removal, native tree and plant re-vegetation, instream large woody debris placement

Phase IV Completed: Nov., 2005

Project Began: April 27, 2002

Square feet of land cleared of blackberry: 45,500

Native Plants: 2,843

Square feet of wetland Enhanced:  22,000

Square feet of upland Enhanced:  60,000

Volunteer Hours: 325
Proponent: Friends of the Hylebos
Partner: City of Federal Way, King County
Funders: City of Federal Way, King County, The Russell Family Foundation

Click here for more project information and photos!

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Spring Valley Montessori riparian restoration

A 600 feet length of the west branch of Hylebos Creek running through the Spring Valley Montessori School was damaged extensively by flooding. Beginning in 1996, volunteers removed blackberries from the stream corridor, followed by stream channel and bank stabilization performed by the city of Federal Way. Post-construction, the city planted native trees on the streambank, followed by understory planting of native shrubs and trees performed by volunteers.

 
Proponent: City of Federal Way, Friends of the Hylebos
Partner: Mrs. Madeleine Justus (landowner) and the Spring Valley Montessori School
Status: Complete

Volunteers: 69

Volunteer Hours:  415

Native plants: 700

Click here for more project information and photos!

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Birch Street Native vegetation planting

In 2002, the Pierce Conservation District and the City of Milton replaced a partially crushed culvert that impeded passage of adult salmon under Birch Street. The Friends and the Pierce Stream Team followed the construction project with invasive weed control and native plantings upstream and downstream from the culvert.

 
Proponent: Pierce Stream Team, Friends of the Hylebos
Partner: City of Milton
Status: Completed 2003

Volunteer Hours: 252

Native plants:  493

 Click here for more project information and photos!