The University of Washington Bothell\/Cascadia College campus houses one of the largest and most complex floodplain restorations in Washington State. The restoration began in 1997 with the construction of campus and has been the most successful floodplain restoration in Washington. The project represents a bold attempt to restore the lower part of North Creek and 58 acres of pastureland to a sustainable, functioning floodplain ecosystem within an urbanizing watershed. The project is unique in the degree to which fundamental theories of ecosystem and restoration ecology were utilized in the design and are being employed in the management of the site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Diligent maintenance combined with thoughtful design has helped make this wetland a regionally-recognized success story. Just seven years after finishing planting, the wetland met 100% of its 10-year project objectives set in the design plan. It is now home to a rich mosaic of plants and animals, providing a living laboratory for the study of wetland ecosystems and ecological restoration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The University maintains two full-time staff positions (plus additional seasonal workers in the summer) to continually and intentionally restore the area, including replanting, removing invasive species, monitoring and gathering data, and adaptive management. The wetland is maintained without the use of pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The wetland has created a thriving habitat for salmon and many other animal species, while simultaneously creating natural filtration for stormwater run-off from the campus. This natural feature is regionally recognized for its success and is one of the proudest achievements on our campus. The wetland serves as an incredible refuge for biodiversity in an increasingly urbanized corridor extending from Seattle to the Cascades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n