Reforestation Program

Reforestation Program logo

The Reforestation Program (formerly Growing Green) enhances county-owned properties by planting native trees and shrubs. The benefits of this environmental enhancement program include:

  • Reducing the amount of stormwater runoff into streams
  • Improving water quality
  • Providing shade to keep water temperatures low
  • Providing bird and wildlife habitat
  • Protecting fish habitat
  • Controlling noxious weeds
  • Improving air quality
  • Increasing natural beauty on the property

Planting sites

The Clean Water Division began the reforestation program in 2011. To date, there are 20 projects throughout the county. Planting is done on county-owned lands by county staff, Washington Conservation Corps, and community volunteers. The inventory of Clean Water Division’s reforestation projects can be viewed on:

MapsOnline

Salmon Recovery Portal

The program also supports improvements to older stormwater facilities which are being rehabilitated to work better and re-landscaped with trees and shrubs.

What's new

In 2024, the Clean Water Division will continue ramping up the program with new sites. Work will include invasive weed removal, site preparation, and installing native plant species. 

  • Salmon Creek @ Cougar Creek – Weed removal began in 2022 at this 6-ac site located within the Salmon Creek watershed. Reed canary grass covers over half the site along with a nominal amount of yellow flag iris growing along channels where water is deeper and present year-round. The riparian canopy has been reduced over the last several decades and improving habitat quality is a restoration priority. This project proposes to improve habitat quality by converting reed canary grass to native tree and understory species by controlling reed canarygrass, casting seed mix of native grass species, and installing native live stakes. Work is scheduled to begin in fall 2024.

Project sites completed (year project began)

  • Turtle Pond (2018) – 3.57-ac in Salmon Creek watershed

  • Curtin Springs Wildlife Habitat (2019) – 2.47-ac in Curtin Creek subwatershed

  • Zimmerly (2020) – 4.76-ac in East Fork Lewis River watershed

  • Schriber Phase 1 (2021) – 7.09-ac in East Fork Lewis River watershed

  • Schriber Phase 2 (2022) – 6.55-ac in East Fork Lewis River watershed

You can help

  • Remove invasive plant species - Plants like Himalayan blackberry, english ivy and garlic mustard are considered invasive weeds and should be removed from your property. There are several ways to remove weeds including hand removal (digging up all of the roots), chemical applications and planting native cover crops with mulch. Learn more at the county's weed control web page. More >>
  • Planting trees on your property - For assistance on how to pick the right tree and proper planting techniques, visit the WSU Extension web page. Trees provide shade, create oxygen, add beauty and capture a lot of rainwater. Even planting just one tree can make a big difference in our urban community.
  • Plant street trees - In Felida, North Salmon Creek and West Hazel Dell, Clark County is partnering with Friends of Trees to plant street trees from 2016-2019. Visit our web page for more information and to determine if your property is eligible for a low cost street tree. More>>
  • Join a volunteer planting crew - Many regional partners host numerous planting events throughout the year. Visit their websites at: Clark Public Utilities Stream Team, Watershed Alliance, Friends of Trees or Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership for dates and times for upcoming planting crews.

More information

For more information about the Reforestation Program, please call 564.397.4345.