One hundred ninety-eight friends of the Hylebos Creek turned out to the King County Weyerhaeuser Aquatic Center September 22 to celebrate the annual return of Hylebos Creek salmon and to raise funds to support Hylebos Creek Conservation.

The event raised more than $25,000 for Hylebos Creek conservation at the Friends' third annual Ruby Dance Stewardship dinner. The name Ruby Dance refers to the flash of red seen as Hylebos Creek's coho salmon spawn during the fall spawning season.

"This event recognizes that healthy forests and open space are an important part of our quality of life," said Friends of the Hylebos Wetlands Executive Director Chris Carrel. "It's exciting to see so many people eager to support stewardship of these vital elements of the community."

Carrel noted that the money raised would support the Hylebos Creek Conservation Initiative, the Friends' program for preserving and restoring 745 acres of stream and wetland habitat in Federal Way, Milton, Fife, Edgewood and Tacoma.

Renowned marine scientist Dr. Elliott Norse, founder of Marine Conservation Biology Institute, provided the evening's keynote speech, in which he described the importance of local efforts like the Hylebos Creek Conservation Initiative in helping address the planet's environmental problems.

The evening was capped by awards given to outstanding volunteers and activists. One of the awards-the Golden Hip Boot Award-highlighted the efforts of Federal Way resident Debby Hyde.

Hyde has profoundly affected the Hylebos through her role as Special Project Coordinator for Pierce County, where she has worked on Endangered Species Act issues and helped strengthen the county's critical areas ordinance.

She played a key role in the development of an action plan for the Hylebos through the Hylebos Watershed Action Committee. As a volunteer, she developed the Friends' auction at the Ruby Dance.

Event attendees included Friends' members and volunteers, Congressman Adam Smith, Washington State Representatives Skip Priest, and Pierce County Councilman Shawn Bunney. Federal Way City Councilmembers Jeanne Burbidge, Jack Dovey and Linda Kochmar joined City Manager Neal Beets at the event. Milton Mayor Katrina Asay also attended the event.

Friends of the Hylebos Wetlands is a nonprofit conservation organization working to protect and restore the environmental quality of Hylebos Creek, the West Hylebos Wetlands and the surrounding watershed.

More information about the Friends and volunteer opportunities can be found at the group's website www.hylebos.org, or by calling 253.874.2005.