Welcome to Madrona Woods

Since 1998, Friends of Madrona Woods has teamed up with the Green Seattle Partnership to turn this nine-acre urban forest into a welcoming place for people and wildlife and to encourage its return to a more natural and sustainable state. This has involved clearing invasive ivy, holly, laurel, clematis and blackberry and revegetating with native trees, shrubs, and ground covers. We have also reworked the trails system, and daylighted two streams. In the process of stream daylighting, FOMW added the Madrona Ravine west of 38th Avenue and a new natural area and cove in Madrona Park to its stewardship, bringing our total acreage to over 10.5.

Trillium will survive

This patch of trillium in Madrona Woods was not planted. It was liberated by our ivy removal about 13 years ago. Now it’s really spreading – check out the biggest plant in the middle, and the smaller ones to the sides. It’s in a steep spot – you can see the shadow of the photographer above. It’s hard to get there but I visit every March to get cheered up. Even more so this year.

Madrona Woods Legal Trails

Illegal trail construction by one vandal is ongoing in Madrona Woods. Here is a map of the legal trails that we plan to post at both kiosks.

Celebrate End of Heat/Fire/Death!

Summer 2017 has brought heat, fire and death to the Pacific NW. If you think I exaggerate, walk through Madrona Woods and see the dead or dying plants. But it has now rained for the first time in 3+ months, so we’re going to thank our favorite deity and celebrate the return of life by doing our part, as humble humans. Please join us at the Grand/Spring intersection on Sat Sep 23 at 10 AM. Details and signup are here.

 

Earth Day in Madrona Woods, with Alpha Phi Omega

Alpha Phi Omega is a national coeducational service organization founded on the principles of Leadership, Friendship and Service. This very positive helpful group of young people sought us out, and convinced us that they could help us on Earth Day, (4/22/17). They were right!!

They helped in many ways

• move wood to block illegal trails built by one vandal
• manage their own group
• ask why the heck we’re doing this
• deal with the “lone vandal” in person (with big smiles, all of us, especially me, I promise)
• play music, have fun, crack jokes, etc.

Many thanks to a very helpful and positive group!

New Map of Legal and Illegal Trails

Judith has drawn a new map of the legal (in green) and illegal (in red) trails in Madrona Woods. She missed a few illegal trails, but this is a very good start in any case. At some point there may be more red than green. In fact, there is no reason in principle why the vandal couldn’t cover all of the level space in red, so to speak. He appears to have lots of time and energy!

Madrona Woods Downsizing

It’s time for us to reduce our efforts in Madrona Woods. This year we will only have work parties in the odd months. That is Jan, Mar, May, Jul, Sep, Nov if you’re keeping score at home. We will also get rid of some extraneous tool boxes, tools, and gloves.

Our next work party is Sat Jan 28. Signup and details are here. Mostly we will try to measure the length of the illegal trails, and compare it with that of the legal trails. The vandal has been busy and unless he is stopped he will eventually turn most every level spot in the woods into a trail. If you have suggestions on how to stop him, please come to the work party.

A Long Task List, Soon to Get Longer

We’re in “maintenance mode” in Madrona Woods. In theory, this is a leisurely, self-congratulatory pursuit, where we keep track of the success of our past restoration work. In practice it is nothing of the kind. This new, wonderful, up-to-date task list summarizes trouble spots that need extra work, plus ongoing maintenance needs. If someone, somewhere, actually reads this and wants more information, please contact Peter Mason 206-388-6490.

Great Day in Late May

Our regular “4th Saturday” work party went well today. It wasn’t too hot. It didn’t rain. We cleared vegetation away from the trails and from 38th Ave. We piled said vegetation to try to block our local trail builder. We spread burlap and mulched next to 38th Ave. Everyone helped. Thanks to all.

Thanks to UW Volunteers for Heavy Lifting

Last Tuesday we hosted 6 energetic UW students who helped us break down the huge piles of wood and composting vegetation near the 39th Ave dead end. This was hard work and some heavy lifting. Good thing it was a nice day and a positive group of volunteers.
The standard best management practice for forest stewards is to let these piles break down on their own. Here’s some reasons why we went to the trouble of reducing them:
– the piles are very near the 39th street dead end, so they’re almost in the front yard of an adjacent house
– the piles encourage people to throw trash
– the piles are magnets for woody debris, so the piles keep growing,
– the piles don’t degrade naturally like the other piles we build in the interior of Madrona Woods.

Planting Trees Required Pulling the Archangel

On Saturday, Feb 27, we pulled nasty invasive yellow achangel.

We planted over 100 conifers thanks to Evergreen Carbon Capture at Forterra.

And we were only three volunteers! Imagine what we could have done with more people!!

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• Mission Statement

  The Friends of Madrona Woods strive to restore the Woods to a healthy, natural state by removing non-native invasive plants and revegetating with diverse native plants and to make the Woods safe and accessible through an environmentally friendly trail system.