Third Annual Hylebos Celebration Supports Healthy Forests and Open Space

   
Federal Way, WA – September 22, 2007 – One hundred ninety-eight friends of the Hylebos Creek turned out to the King County Weyerhaeuser Aquatic Center Saturday evening, September 22nd to celebrate the annual return of Hylebos Creek salmon and to raise funds to support Hylebos Creek Conservation. (For photos and more details) More than $25,000 was raised for Hylebos Creek conservation at the Friends’ 3rd annual Ruby Dance Stewardship dinner. The name Ruby Dance refers to the flash of red seen as Hylebos Creek’s coho salmon spawn during the fall spawning season.

“This event recognizes that healthy forests and open space are an important part of our quality of life,” said Friends of the Hylebos Wetlands Executive Director Chris Carrel. “It’s exciting to see so many people eager to support stewardship of these vital elements of the community.”

Carrel noted that the money raised would support the Hylebos Creek Conservation Initiative, the Friends’ program for preserving and restoring 745 acres of stream and wetland habitat in Federal Way, Milton, Fife, Edgewood and Tacoma.

The 2007 Ruby Dance was emceed by KOMO TV’s Keith Eldridge. Renowned marine scientist Dr. Elliott Norse, founder of Marine Conservation Biology Institute, provided the evening’s keynote speech, in which he described the importance of local efforts like the Hylebos Creek Conservation Initiative in helping address the planet’s environmental problems.

The evening was capped by awards given to outstanding volunteers and activists. The 2007 award winners are:

Innovation in Conservation Award        Natural Systems Design

The Seattle-based habitat restoration firm designed and built the Friends’ successful West Milton Nature Preserve project, assessed stream problems, designed the upcoming East Hylebos Project and is developing a forest health management plan for the West Hylebos. Friends’ Executive Director Chris Carrel says that “by combining incisive, cutting-edge science with a nonprofit-friendly, results-oriented philosophy, Natural Systems Design has become one of our most important assets in restoring Hylebos Creek and the West Hylebos Wetlands.”

The Francis and Ilene Marckx Stewardship Award        REI, Inc.

REI has an active employee volunteer program, encouraging employees to volunteer in local community-building efforts. This year, REI employees chose the Hylebos as a place of emphasis, participating in 4 volunteer events at the Spring Valley Ranch and the West Hylebos Wetlands Park. REI volunteers planted 1,500 native trees and shrubs and removed invasive Himalayan blackberry from the West Hylebos Wetlands. Altogether, 136 REI employees contributed 793 volunteer hours of volunteer work. The company also donated a $5,000 grant towards West Hylebos Wetlands conservation. 

The Golden Hip Boot Award                     Debby Hyde

Federal Way resident Debby Hyde has profoundly affected the Hylebos through her role as Special Project Coordinator for Pierce County, where she has worked on Endangered Species Act issues and helped strengthen the county’s critical areas ordinance. She played a key role in the development of an action plan for the Hylebos through the Hylebos Watershed Action Committee. As a volunteer, she developed the Friends’ auction at the Ruby Dance.

Event attendees included Friends’ members and volunteers, Congressman Adam Smith, Washington State Representatives Skip Priest, and Pierce County Councilman Shawn Bunney. Federal Way City Councilmembers Jeanne Burbidge, Jack Dovey and Linda Kochmar joined City Manager Neal Beets at the event. Milton Mayor Katrina Asay also attended the event.

The event was sponsored by several local businesses: Weyerhaeuser, Marlene’s Market & Deli, HomeStreet Bank, DEMOCON Container Services, Down & Out Demolition, Evergreen Eye Center, HomeStreet Bank, Port of Tacoma, Tacoma Hydraulic & Machine, and Woodstone Credit Union.