PLEASE NOTE: These bulletins, published since 1997, are historical. The content is not updated.
Today's bulletin highlights a program that focuses on preserving a key element of the Pacific Northwest's natural heritage -- native plants. Much diversity, including coastal wetlands, alpine areas, prairies, a temperate rainforest, and a desert, is found in our region. Here in King County, the Native Plant Salvage Program of the Department of Natural Resources is doing their part to retain native plants from our unique and fragile ecosystems, as urban development occurs at a rapid pace.The Native Plant Salvage Program was started in 1992 by the King County Water and Land Division of the Department of Natural Resources. Volunteers in this unique program identify and dig up native plants from sites slated for development. These plants are then cared for at a holding facility until they are ready to be transplanted at an appropriate site and used to restore wetlands, streambanks and roadsides throughout the County.
Native plants are often more disease resistant and require less fertilizer than non-native ornamental plants and lawns. These features are important because reducing the use of fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides is crucial to protecting our water quality. Planted near the water's edge, native plants help stop erosion and provide food, shelter and shade needed by fish and wildlife. Once established, in an appropriate site, native plants require little care or watering.
The Native Plant Salvage Program is also educational. Volunteers learn about native plants and how they benefit water quality, prevent erosion, and enhance fish and wildlife habitats.
King County Native Plant Salvage
Information on the Native Plant Salvage Program is made available for others interested in beginning plant salvage in their own areas. The program has already served as a model for several similar projects, and has won a number of awards, including a Special Award from the Washington Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects for promoting sustainability.
On this website, you'll find:
- Introduction
- Program setup logistics
- Salvaging techniques
- Volunteer recruitment strategies
- Costs and benefits of program
- Conclusion
Native Plant Resources for the Pacific Northwest
Center for Urban Horticulture Library, University of Washington
Pacific Northwest native plants to grow in your garden
Environmental Purchasing Program
The King County Environmental Purchasing Program assists County agencies in implementation of King County Executive Policy CON-7-1-2, which requires agencies to use recycled and other environmentally preferable products wherever practicable.
The program assembles information about these products and makes it available to specific agency users who can evaluate them and develop applications in County projects.
These environmental purchasing bulletins contain information about the results of product evaluations and other accomplishments of County agencies. We hope this information will help you find ways to use recycled materials in the work of your agency and that you will contact us if we can help you with further information or if you have suggestions.
- Environmental Purchasing Program
- King County Procurement & Contract Services
Published: May 5, 2000
Return to
Environmental Purchasing Menu | Bulletin List
Updated: May 8, 2000
King County
| News | Services | Comments | SearchLinks to external sites do not constitute endorsements by King County.
By visiting this and other King County web pages,
you expressly agree to be bound by terms and conditions of the site.
The details.
E-mail