Volunteers are wanted to join the Green Kent Forest Monitoring Team to collect data and monitor restoration sites at city parks.
An event is set from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 28 with classroom and outdoor time. Volunteers are to meet at the Kent Senior Activity Center, 600 E. Smith St.
To register and for more information, contact Malia Caracoglia by email at malia@earthcorps.org or call 206-992-6853.
The monitoring plots are permanent, circular and 1/10th acre in size. They are first established in sites that have not yet been restored; this is the baseline data for the site. After restoration has occurred on the site (invasive plants removed, trees and vegetation planted), the Forest Monitoring Team returns to the site annually to collect data and document change. The data collected includes:
• Plot Characteristics: Soil, aspect, slope, canopy cover, habitat type, etc.
• Vegetation cover: Percent cover of shrubs, herbaceous plants and vines
• Tree Density: Species count, health, height and diameter
All plots are monitored with two or more people and can take anywhere from two to four hours, depending on the complexity of the site. Data is collected on data forms in the field and then entered by the volunteer into an online database. Upon entry of the data, the volunteer will receive a user-friendly report of the analysis of the data. This data will also be shared with on-site managers and the Parks Department.
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