Restoring native vegetation at Gold Creek

Why is Gold Creek important?

The Gold Creek valley is an essential pathway for wildlife moving north and south in Washington's Cascades, and one that we have long recognized for need of greater protection and connection.  The beautiful valley funnels wildlife from the core habitats north of Interstate 90 in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness to the protected lands south of Interstate 90 like the William O Douglas wilderness.  Gold Creek itself is home to a population of bull trout, and the habitat surrounding the creek is home and a travelway for species including black bear, elk, and deer.  It is critical to the recovery of wide-ranging species in the Cascades such as the grizzly bear.

Gold Creek has been identified as one of three focal creeks for the Upper Yakima Watershed Action Group to coordinate around restoration and conservation priorities for, and is within a Connectivity Enhancement Area in the Washington Department of Transportation's I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East Project.  Due to this recognition, the Dept. of Transportation will extend the bridge over Gold Creek to allow for the natural flow of water under the highway and provide an additional year-round dry wildlife undercrossing as part of their traffic improvements to this portion of Interstate 90.  The construction for this effort will begin in 2010.

So, what are we doing?

Conservation Northwest volunteers began restoration efforts in October 2007 with Defenders of Wildlife and the Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest.  We planted native tree species in the gravel lot and along the streamsides to begin re-introducing conifers to the area (photo to the right).  We have followed that effort in 2008 by removing invasives in this same area, and looking at potentials to propogate tough native plant species that are already on site to plant in next spring or fall. 

In July 2008, we teamed with partners Discover Your Northwest, SCA, Mt. Baker Snoqualmie National Forest, Wenatchee-Okanogan National Forest, and Friends of the Forest to achieve more restoration on both the recreational facility and for wildlife including installation of bird boxes as pictured to the left.

This September volunteers from Microsoft pulled St. John's Wart and oxe eye daisy near the stream and lake sides.  We broke down fallen trees and gather duff to contribute to organic material where these invasive plants are removed to discourage their future growth.

As part of our Cascades Citizen Wildlife Monitoring Program, we've also been monitoring wildlife presence in this corridor through snowtracking and remote cameras since 2006.  The photo to the right is a black bear caught on camera just this summer.

Efforts continue including a restoration party this October 11th to work on trail restoration, additional bird boxes, and invasive species removal.  Click here to register for this event.

Contact our office if you are interested in helping in this effort!