Services
>
Drainage & Sewer
>
Get Involved
>
Be a Creek Steward
Spotlight on Ruth Williams
Where she works: Thornton Creek, Park 6
Time as a Site Steward: Ruth has been working on Park 6 for 12 years, and became a creek steward five years ago with the initiation of the program.
Mode of work: Leading monthly work parties
|
|
How she got involved in the Creek Steward Program: Years ago, Ruth moved into a house right along Thornton creek, but knew little about the creek itself. After observing a work party one day, Ruth was inspired to contribute her efforts toward restoring the heavily weeded area and sought to familiarize herself with the Thornton Creek watershed. From that point on, she has volunteered many hours pulling invasive weeds, mulching, and planting native species throughout Park 6.
What creek stewardship means to her: Ruth strongly believes in giving back to the community. We all have obligations to Seattle’s parks, she says, and everyone can do their part.
What Ruth does when she’s not battling knotweed: Ruth is an artist, mother, and adventure-seeker. Along with managing commercial real estate, she does metal sculpting and glass work, and loves to kayak with her daughter.
The most rewarding aspect of creek stewardship for Ruth: Seeing the fruits of her and her volunteers’ labor. It was a bit overwhelming at first to see how much work was to be done in the seven acres of Park 6, but after restoring the much of the native vegetation, Ruth has been especially delighted by the return of wood ducks and many other native animals to the site.
What keeps her going out every month: Ruth says, “You have to focus on what you can do.” Although the work can be difficult or frustrating at times, being able to have that escape from the city is well worth the effort.
Ruth’s most hated weed: Oh the years of battling knotweed!
And her most beloved native: “I love the nootka roses,” she says with a warm smile.
Memorable Creek Steward Moment: Ruth recalls one particular work party on United Way of King County’s Day of Caring. The group consisted of roughly 30 volunteers of Eddy Bauer’s corporate staff and a group of prisoners working side by side clearing invasive vegetation on a hill. Ruth witnessed the capacity of creek stewardship to bring people together to work towards a common, positive goal.
Want to get involved? Email ruthalice@comcast.net for upcoming work party information.
Interested in adopting your own site as a site steward? Visit our Adopt-a-Site page for available sites in your neighborhood watershed.
For information on the Thornton Creek Watershed, visit the Thornton Creek Alliance webpage.
View Spotlight Archive>
|
|
