On Oct 4, 2025, 20 volunteers gathered at the Douglas Fir Teaching Garden for our monthly Invasive Pull. The event was co-led by Grace Nombrado, our Executive Director, and board President, Erin Knock. After a welcome and a stretch we headed down the Red Alder Trail, Champlain Heights Trail System, to east of the playground.
We decided to divide and conquer. So, Grace led a group of volunteers (“the periwinkle contingent”) while Erin led a second group of volunteers(“the ivy brigade”). Deep in the trees, Grace and the volunteers used small spades to dig out the fine roots of the periwinkle plants. While, Erin and her crew battled ivy with bypass pruners. Together, the volunteers managed to fill 4 green bins (1320L) and create a giant pile of invasive plants (480L), for a total of 1,800 L of invasives removed! Amazing work!
A couple of the youngest volunteers also had fun exploring the forest, looking at bugs (including a large spider) and gathering Oregon grape and salal berries for planting along the trail. There are so many ways that volunteers can help our forest! Nature is for Everyone!
We also enjoyed having a break with hot chocolate, tea, juice, and snacks. At the end, many helped pack up the tools, gloves, and table, and return them to our storage shed.
We are greatful to all the volunteers who joined us today: Annette, Brooke, Connie, Dylan, Ellie, Elizabeth, Eloise, Erin, Grace, Greg, Jeannine, Jerik, Kristin, Liam, Meley, Moira, Natasha, Noe, Robin, Sung, and Veronika. Special thanks to our co-leads Grace & Erin, and to Robin who came early to help with set-up.
This is event was made possible thanks to funding support from Habitat Conservation Trust.