REI has a long history of supporting conservation and recreational projects with both corporate donations and volunteer support from their employees. Friends of the Hylebos has been fortunate to receive grant support for work at the West Hylebos Wetlands and some incredible volunteer energy.

Early in 2007, REI approached us about organizing a specific day for REI employees to do volunteer work in the Hylebos Watershed. Hillary organized a stewardship project at the West Hylebos Wetlands where we've been working since 2006 to remove invasive Himalayan blackberry and prep the site for a future planting.

xx REI employees (including CEO Sally Jewell and members of the REI management team) turned out on a beautiful, warm March day (check date) to do battle with the blackberry. Assisted by restoration crews from Earthcorps, and armed with pruners and shovels, the REI volunteers made quick work of more than 80,000 square feet of blackberry-infested park.

After finding old farm implements and junk underneath some of the blackberry, the REI'ers helped haul the junk to the parking lot where city crews would later remove it.

Everyone found a shady place to get out of the sun and break for a lunch provided by the company. Afterwards, it was back to work for another two hours, giving us a great start on reclaiming this portion of the West Hylebos for native trees and plants.

The cleared area has been covered with landscape fabric, which will be left in place for two growing seasons to help kill any remaining blackberry rootstock. After the fabric is removed, another volunteer work party will help us get the native plants in the ground.

Contact Restoration Coordinator Hillary Kleeb about organizing group-specific restoration events.