The North Olympic Salmon Coalition (NOSC) is seeking volunteers to plant trees at Snow Creek Estuary to support the efforts of local seventh-graders.

The tree planting is set to take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 2.

Students from Blue Heron School in Port Townsend have been engineering a solution to a big question that experts face on the North Olympic Peninsula: “What can be done to improve salmon habitat?”

Part of the NOSC’s Real Learning, Real Work 7th Grade Curriculum, these students participated in a field trip to Snow Creek Estuary in October 2015 and mapped out planting plots east of the creek. In the classroom, students discussed the exposure of their plots to environmental factors that might be detrimental to the health of salmon habitat, and made a planting plan specific to each plot to deter the spread of invasive species, reduce erosion and increase the presence of pollinators.

Students are to return to Snow Creek Estuary to plant trees in accordance with their planting plans, and volunteers are needed to plant the remainder of the restoration site.

“The students at Blue Heron have worked hard this year to plan for the planting of this restoration site. Volunteers will have a chance to do a planting that students from their local community designed. That makes this project really special,” said Sarah Doyle, NOSC stewardship coordinator.

The native plants would provide essential habitat for the many animal species that utilize this estuarine ecosystem.

Tools, gloves, and training are to be provided. Volunteers should wear long pants and boots, and bring water and a lunch. Light refreshments are provided.

RSVP at nosc.org. Parking and other information will be provided to volunteers after they RSVP.

For more information, contact Emily Bishop, NOSC education and outreach assistant, at volunteer@nosc.org, or call 379-8051.