The Ochs Land Trust property is 28 acres of mostly regrowth, after being logged more than 15 years ago, on the Samish River. It is just a ways downstream from where the Samish crosses Highway 9, North of Sedro-Woolley. The Samish River winds and braids through much of the property and is badly infested with Japanese Knotweed. There are no major work parties on this property because it is being left in it's natural state. However, the Samish Nation has a grant for eradicating Knotweed in the Samish Watershed and the Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group (SFEG) has a grant to re-vegetate the areas where Knotweed is eradicated.
The knotweed will be killed by spraying in the summer, but it grows so tall that it is best to first bend it all down to shoulder height or lower. So - on July 05 several folks went to begin the work but the river was very high and fast due to recent heavy rains and it was too dangerous - much of the work is right in the river and along the banks.
Instead, the effort was done on July 9th, with almost 20 people from SFEG, the Samish Nation, the Washington Conservation Corps, and the Land Trust. It was a long, hot day - but beautiful on the river and we got most of the job done! A huge thanks to all.
