Dear Friend of the Hylebos,

We call it a "Match Made in Hylebos." EarthCorps and Friends of the Hylebos (FOH) have officially joined forces to expand environmental stewardship efforts in South King County and Pierce County!

EarthCorps, established in 1993, engages 10,000 youth and community volunteers each year in restoring natural areas. EarthCorps' mission is to build global community through local environmental service. As an AmeriCorps affiliate, EarthCorps provides one-year intensive programs for young adults (18-25) to learn best practices in conservation techniques and develop skills in leading volunteers (ages 8-80).

FOH has been working with EarthCorps for more than 10 years. The combined organization will be named EarthCorps and will include a branch office in Federal Way at Dumas Bay. EarthCorps will continue using the name Friends of Hylebos to refer to programming in Federal Way and throughout the Hylebos watershed.

I am pleased with the move. EarthCorps is an internationally known environmental organization with the commitment and resources necessary to continue with our basic mission.

Federal Way Mayor Skip Priest also applauded the move. "Parks like the West Hylebos Wetlands are important elements of Federal Way's quality of life. The partnership between FOH and EarthCorps will ensure that the valuable work caring for our parks and natural areas will continue."

 Volunteer participation will remain a central part of the organization’s restoration work. Over the past decade more than 1,900 volunteers have participated in Hylebos conservation projects, planting thousands of trees and helping protect forests and wetlands from invasive plants. Now more than ever, volunteer participation is key to improving the Hylebos Watershed and upholding a great quality of life in this community. Please check our upcoming volunteer events and joni us in restoring the watershed.

Hylebos conservation has been successful during the past decade because of the incredible volunteer participation and strong community support for clean water, clean air and healthy forests, streams and wetlands. Together, we can continue to do wonderful things for the Hylebos.

Margery Godfrey, Past President

Friends of the Hylebos Board of Directors