Mill Creek
WRIA 9 Restoration
In partnership with the City of Auburn and Midsound Fisheries Enhancement Group and Hip Hop is Green, Free the Green has planted over 10,000 plants on this fragile buffer zone on one of the Green/Duwamish River’s vital tributaries.
Despite the relentless noise from Highway 167 and chemical runoff from both the highway and a nearby logistics lot, this pocket of habitat bustles with resilient life. Coyotes, beavers, and most importantly salmon move through its waters. Songbirds, joined by raptors such as Northern Harriers, American Kestrels, Red-tailed Hawks, and even a resident Great Blue Heron reside in this tiny blip of life along Hwy 167.
Midsound Fisheries Enhancement group came to us with the funding to revegetate this vital habitat and partnered with the City of Auburn to price match over 10,000 live stakes of Willow, Cottonwood, and Dogwood.
Despite the incredible work the, this round of funding has sadly depleted while this critical space goes without regular stewardship.
Mill Creek is approximately 8 miles and is a left bank tributary of the Green River. The Mill Creek subbasin conveys water to the Green River, serves as flood storage areas, provides refugia, and serves as habitat for multiple salmonid species.
This site is located approximately 3.5 river miles upstream of confluence with the Green River and acts as habitat and a wetland recharge area.
The primary goal of the Mill Creek restoration project is to enhance and restore habitat for native species. This will be achieved by removing invasive species, particularly the pervasive Reed Canary Grass, and reestablishing native plant species to increase biodiversity and stabilize the creek bank.
In addition to habitat restoration, the project aims to improve water quality and stream health. Objectives include increasing the riparian buffer to at least 100 feet where feasible to help filter runoff from the nearby highway and shipping logistics center, stabilize stream banks, and provide necessary shade to lower water temperatures.
The project also seeks to enhance wildlife corridor connectivity, facilitating the safe movement of terrestrial wildlife along Mill Creek by creating continuous corridors and implementing wildlife crossings over disrupted areas.
A beaver caught on our trail camera happily munching on their favorite food: Willow.
Absher Volunteer Event
The tireless work of our volunteers keeps this project going
Absher construction company; Employee owned and dedicated Sustainable Construction practices we host a riparian stream restoration volunteer event for their employees to participate!
