The West Milton Nature Preserve is located on a former cedar bog that had been converted to farming in the 1930s. Abandoned many years ago, the site had been taken over by invasive weeds and provided poor habitat to native salmon and wildlife.

The Friends partnered with the city of Milton to purchase and preserve the 5-acre site. Beginning in 2001, the Friends began restoring the site, removing fill dirt and restoring wetlands, constructing 900 feet of new stream channel and planting more than 25,000 native trees, shrubs and wetland plants.

Restoration work is ongoing and several volunteer opportunities will be available in the future. Contact Restoration Coordinator Hillary Kleeb if you’re interested in participating.

For more information read the article from Hylebos Highlights.

See a photographic history of the West Milton Restoration

See West Milton Nature Preserve photo gallery

West Milton Nature Preserve Project Facts

Total Site Acreage: 5 acres

Restoration: Nine hundred feet of new stream channel constructed, relocation of Hylebos Creek. Wetland fill removed. Clearing invasive vegetation. Native tree and plant re-vegetation

Current Project Phase: Fall 2007. Additional area of invasive weed clearing and native plant establishment, site maintenance and monitoring.

Project Began: March 24, 2001

Native Plants: 33,988

New Stream Channel Constructed: 900 feet

Acreage of wetland Enhanced:  >2.5 acres

Square feet of upland Enhanced:  13,200

Wetland Fill Removed: 1,000 Yards

Volunteer Hours: 986

Partners: City of Milton

Funders: Wa. Dept. of Ecology, Environmental Protection Agency,  NOAA Community Restoration Program, Pierce County Community Salmon Fund