First Creek Watershed: 2010-09-12

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Green Tacoma Day 2010 - September 25th

Discover Tacoma’s Natural Treasures at the 3rd annual Green Tacoma Day to be held on September 25th in conjunction with National Public Lands Day. Help protect and restore your favorite local park, gulch, and shoreline or learn more about your favorite recreation destination from experienced Habitat Stewards. Family friendly activities will be held at the Tacoma Nature Center throughout the day.

First Creek Neighbors will be hosting a cleanup at Fairbanks and First Creek. Location is one long block East of Portland Avenue at Fairbanks. We'll be working on several tasks, including removing some Ivy, general cleanup and trail maintenance. Join us if you can. If you don't want to get dirty, stop by and take a quick tour and learn about First Creek.

Visit http://www.greentacoma.org to learn more and to find an event location near you!
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Brief Description

This site relates to the First Creek Stewardship Plan as well as other activities occuring in First Creek.

Summary about The First Creek Community Stewardship Plan. It is a community-driven effort that seeks to transform First Creek into a community asset. The community has partnered with the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, the City of Tacoma, the Tacoma Housing Authority, environmental groups, and others in order to achieve this vision.

Brief History of First Creek:
The area that is now known as First Creek was once the political and social center for the Puyallup Tribe. The creek, the first creek the Tribe came to they paddled home on the Puyallup River from Commencement Bay, was at the center of a thriving Puyallup tribal community with a salmon-laden creek.

Headwaters of First Creek:
The spring fed headwaters for the main stem of First Creek as well as both of it's tributaries all originate in Midland, which is the community located on the plateau on the county side, above the area currently under restoration. The main stem flows (or still tries to) on the east side of Portland Avenue, both tributaries flow on the west side of Portland Avenue.

The 1st Tributary formed the ravine that runs down the west side of Portland Avenue to just about 48th Street East, where it veers to the east under Portland Avenue and meets the main stem.

The 2nd Tributary joins the main stem at around 44th Street East, just below the 1st fork and also flows under Portland Avenue from west to east.

In 1999, the Midland Resident's Association was successful in gaining protection for the main stem by having that stretch declared Rural Separator. It took them over 3 years, lots of meetings, lots of door knocking and lots of petition signature gathering. In 2008, Pierce County planning finally acknowledged the 1st Tributary as an actual waterway as well.

First Creek Today:
Over recent years, First Creek has taken on different names, such as the "T" Street Gulch, as well as a deteriorating physical appearance. Much of the area is now covered by invasive plants, sewer lines, roads, and garbage. As a result, this important and beautiful area, like the neighborhood that surrounds it, now has a poor reputation in many people’s minds.

Our Vision for First Creek’s Future:
The City of Tacoma, Puyallup Tribe, Tacoma Housing Authority, and community are partnering to transform First Creek. While we recognize we may not restore the creek to its original condition, we do believe we can preserve the area for future generations to enjoy as part of their community. Working in collaboration with the Puget Sound Partnership, we envision a healthy habitat with native plants, natural and recreational trails, and educational material related to the creek’s historical and cultural significance. Our efforts in First Creek will work to complement what some of our neighbors in the Eastside are doing to improve the community.

We’d love to give you a tour of First Creek. We are looking for more volunteers to help with various aspects of this project throughout its upcoming phases. If you or someone you know would like to know more, email us at firstcreekwatershed@gmail.co

First Creek Watershed

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Green Tacoma Day 2010 - September 25th

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