Friends of the Cedar River Watershed (FCRW) has been a valuable mentor for me. I know from experience that FCRW can gift you two things: the opportunity to learn a wide range of skills and the chance to meet talented volunteers and professionals. I started volunteering while in high school in 2009. I am home for the summer after my first year of college in Virginia and it is gratifying to dedicate part of my vacation to my home watershed. I can recall the first event I attended; we removed blackberry in the October rain. Now, I am privileged to teach others about local ecology. It's awesome that anyone, if they work at it, can contribute to these projects and become knowledgeable enough to become a leader.

To learn how you can volunteer, contact Nisa

The first time I heard about it, the Cedar River Salmon Journey sounded like a good idea-but then, to me anything related to water always does: Chesapeake Bay, N. Fork of the Skykomish River, McAleer Creek. These are places where I have a strong sense of belonging. But, I didn't expect to attach to the concrete bridge where the Renton Library sits and the Cedar River runs. True, the bridge is an oasis in an urban area. Large trees hug the banks, keeping it cool for salmon. People of all ages come and go across the bridge to the library: retired folks, busy folks, bicyclists, parents with toddlers-a rich generational and cultural diversity.

On June 6, high school and middle school student leaders, principals, city staff, and business owners convened at the Bellevue Square Microsoft Store. Their purpose-to begin planning a community-wide, annual Green Team Summit action agenda that brings together adult and youth green team leaders from across community sectors to report on sustainability progress.

Over 80 eager volunteers pitched in to pull weeds, then enjoyed a delicious lunch and learned about riparian habitat from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration biologist Tim Beechie and Greater Lake Washington Salmon Recovery Coordinator Jean White. Throughout the day, volunteers took advantage of fly casting lessons with Emerald Water Anglers and Northwest Fly Anglers, while others explored the insect world with Forterra's Judy Blanco and King County Environmental Scientist, Chris Gregersen.

Thanks to Starbucks, Loki Fish Co., and Whole Foods for providing our amazing buffet, and to Patrick's Fly Shop, The Avid Angler, and REI for donating raffle prizes. Thanks also to participants who filled out a survey on what they learned about protecting fish habitat.  To see more of our volunteers in action, check out this video from our May 26th Field and Stream Hero for a Day restoration event.