Staff, family members, and volunteers planted about 2,000 trees at Tope Ryan Conservation Area over two weeks in November. The wet weather did not stop our wonderful volunteers who arrived each morning with smiling eyes and masks secured, ready to assist with important restoration work. We had over 20 volunteers help at Tope Ryan over our two planting weeks, several of whom volunteered for more than one day! Our team planted a variety of water loving species on the property which has become much more wet over the past several years due to a large amount of beaver activity. While no beavers were spotted, there was a lot of evidence of their presence. These plantings will provide habitat for wildlife, improve water quality, and will help compete with invasive species on the property. Restoration work will continue throughout the winter with many more plants to install at Tope Ryan and several other Skagit Land Trust properties including Samish Flower Farm, Day Creek Butters, and Day Creek Saddler.

Tope Ryan before the planting.		Tope Ryan after the planting.