Come out on November 3, 2007 and join over 500 citizens, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and community groups all over the city to celebrate the 2nd Annual Green Seattle Day. Plant a tree and join the fun at your favorite Seattle Park, like Camp Long.

Camp Long's 68 acres were once part of a forested ridge on the West Seattle Peninsula. Camp Long was purchased from Puget Mill in 1937, and almost every tree had been removed. Since then, the second growth forest of alder and maple have reached their maturity and are falling over from age. Also, blackberry, ivy and other invasive plants have been invading the forest making new trees fight for light and space, and killing healthy trees. Many of the forested parklands in Seattle suffer a similar plague. We are part of a 20 year plan to restore a healthy forest to Camp Long.

The Green Seattle Partnership is a unique public/private partnership between the City of Seattle and the Cascade Land Conservancy. The Partnership was formed in 2004 by memorandum of agreement between the City of Seattle and the Cascade Land Conservancy. Seattle Parks and Recreation, Seattle Office of Sustainability and Environment, and Seattle Public Utilities are the three key City departments serving in the Green Seattle Partnership. Visit www.greenseattle.org to learn more about this initiative.

This past summer, the Seattle Conservation Corps was contracted by the Green Seattle Partnership to remove invasive plants from just north of Cabin 7 all the way to Cabin 1. We are now in the process of replanting and completely mulching that area with volunteers. The restoration process takes a minimum of four years to establish new plants and rid the area of the majority of the weeds. Your help is welcome.

Individuals and small groups can register with Camp Long at 684-7415. For general information about other Green Seattle Partnership sites or to register a group of 15 people or more please send an email to: info@greenseattle.org or call 206-905-6920.

Sheila Brown is the Education Program Supervisor at Camp Long.

For further information you can contact her at camplong@seattle.gov