While some are familiar with Pierce Conservation District (PCD) and our mission to protect and conserve natural resources at a public scale, our private property technical assistance might not be as widely known. Between the Habitat Improvement and Water Quality Teams, there are two staff members who provide technical assistance to our jurisdictional partners in Pierce County. Habitat Improvement provides assistance in more rural areas, while Water Quality focuses on urban areas. This designation splits the Chambers-Clover Creek Watershed in half depending on where the property is located, and which staff member will respond. But either way, you receive the same level of technical support on your property. You don’t have to be a property owner, either. We can meet with renters and discuss improvements to the property with the permission of the owner. Technical assistance focuses on your goals, whether that is invasive removal, erosion control, creating a pollinator-friendly space, or installing native plants. Often, we work on streamside properties, such as Clover and Leach Creeks within the watershed.

PCD addresses a variety of property challenges. For example, a past project included a planting plan to control reed canarygrass by shading it out with fast-growing willows and dogwoods. The owner was also concerned about erosion control, and we recommended coir/jute fabric to hold in the bank. A current project we assisted with was planting at Apostolic Faith Fellowship Church in Lakewood. The property sits on Clover Creek, and the church members have been actively working to clear blackberry and ivy from the streamside. This spring, they planted 150+ native plants and shrubs to aid in habitat creation and riparian function.

Funding is often a challenge with projects. While PCD does not have a cost-share program for this assistance, we can often connect to local watershed council grants like yourself or jurisdiction funding. We can also provide options for smaller, cost-effective parts of the project you can do over time.

If you are interested in receiving technical assistance or know someone who is, email Belinda Paterno (belindap@piercecd.org) or Glenn Johnson (GlennJ@piercecd.org) with your address. You will be directed to the appropriate person. We hope you take advantage of this assistance! We love visiting the Chambers-Clover Creek Watershed and seeing the many projects by dedicated people!

Check out other PCD activities to support their efforts at https://piercecd.org/35/Get-Involved.