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PHOTO COURTESY OF CASCADE LAND CONSERVANCY

GREEN DAY. Volunteers gathered at Julia’s Gulch Nov. 15 to remove ivy and other invasive plants.

Green Tacoma Day draws 120 to Julia’s Gulch

More than 120 Tacoma residents gathered Nov. 15 at Julia’s Gulch in Northeast Tacoma on the first-ever Green Tacoma Day to begin restoration work on this important 32-acre site acquired earlier this year through a unique coalition.

Volunteers, restoration crewmembers and city of Tacoma and Port of Tacoma officials gathered at the Green Tacoma Partnership’s newest site to begin pulling ivy and planting native plants. In addition to on-the-ground work, instruction in all phases of restoration at different locations within the gulch was provided.

Green Tacoma Partnership is a public-private partnership between the city, Metro Parks, Tahoma Audubon Society, Cascade Land Conservancy, citizens, educational organizations, neighborhood groups, nonprofit organizations, faith-based organizations and businesses all working together to sustain a viable healthy network of natural spaces throughout Tacoma.

This partnership is working closely with the city to develop an open space habitat plan that will map out a citywide restoration and management plan for all natural areas within Tacoma.

Julia’s Gulch was acquired through an agreement among the conservancy, the port, the city and Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. The land is along the steep slopes overlooking the Tideflats. Prior to the acquisition, the property was slated for 52 homes.

In brief ceremonies before the work got under way, Ryan Mello, Pierce County conservation director for Cascade Land Conservancy, welcomed all to the site and accepted a grant of $5,000 from Recreational Equipment, Inc.

Volunteers included members of Friends of Julia’s Gulch group, which is led by Don and Heather Halibisky.

Tacoma City Councilmember Julie Anderson spoke about how important open spaces are as “public infrastructure” to the people. Port Commissioner Claire Petrich told the group about the importance of open space as a buffer between industry and neighborhoods.

“I see nothing but great things on the horizon for the Green Tacoma Partnership and open spaces in the city,” Mello said. “With all the hard work of many hands here today, we are making strides toward creating an important green space for the people of this city.”

Julia’s Gulch is an important acquisition for Tacoma, the port and the conservancy. Preservation of the area along and above Marine View Drive is a high priority for economic and conservation related reasons.

Cascade Land Conservancy views the project as an important example of the goals of Cascade Agenda, which calls for conserving urban green space to make communities more livable. By creating a natural buffer to the Tideflats and limiting more residential encroachment, the conservancy is helping the port to thrive without the need to adjust hours of operation and contend with incompatible-use issues due to noise, lights, safety issues and residential traffic.

From an ecological standpoint, the property has a seasonal creek draining to Commencement Bay and supports coyote, deer, birds and other wildlife, which use the gulch for nesting and as a corridor to the water and north to Dash Point State Park.

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