News Flash

For immediate release: August 4, 2020

Snoqualmie’s Urban Forests Need Our Protection

Snoqualmie, WA – The Stillwater Bog, part of the city’s extensive parks and trail system, is home to birds and wildlife and serves as a stopping point along the Stillwater Bog trail. This rare freshwater wetland system also safeguards a sphagnum moss bog. Because of the fragile nature of this wetland, this and other city-owned forestland in Snoqualmie is protected, with penalties for damage or disturbance (Snoqualmie Municipal Code 19.12). Please help us care for these valuable natural areas.

One of the greatest disturbances to our natural areas is creating unofficial trails. Making these pathways has the following lasting, negative impacts:

• Tramples delicate vegetation and young trees.
• Compacts soil, impacting the site for decades.
• Provides “highways” for weed seeds, spreading them deeper into forested areas.

Forts or other unofficial structures have a similar detrimental impact on our forests due to damaged vegetation and accumulated debris and garbage. When visiting our forests, stay on area trails and pack out what you pack in, including pet waste, which pollutes our stormwater and area waterways.

The following are healthy and fun ways to enjoy our urban forests this summer and year-round:  

• Hike on marked trails. More info on local trails is at cityofsnoqualmie.gov
• Ride on sanctioned mountain biking trails.
• Adopt and help nurture a natural area in your neighborhood with the Green Snoqualmie Partnership – contact Charlie Vogelheim at cvogelheim@forterra.org.

Please help preserve the health and beauty of our natural landscapes. For more information, contact Phil Bennett, City Arborist, at pbennett@snoqualmiewa.gov.

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Gail Folkins, City of Snoqualmie

gfolkins@snoqualmiewa.gov
cityofsnoqualmie.org