A number of students and community members did their part for preserving Timberlake Park, during activities for Sammamish Stewardship Saturday, May 2.

The work at Timberlake Park was organized by the Mountains to Sound Greenway and involved removing invasive plants, such as the English Ivy that is invading the park and interfering with the growth of native species.

Management of the property was recently transferred from King County to the City of Issaquah.

The ecological restoration cycle in the Mountains to Sound Greenway involves removal of invasive species and planting of native trees and shrubs, and spans several years at each site.

Native trees are critical to the health of the Pacific Northwest.

Trees reduce greenhouse gases and improve air quality, reduce erosion and filter pollutants, provide wildlife habitat, and they shade creeks, improving water quality and cooling the water for threatened salmon.

Greenway staff, volunteers and conservation corps crews restore over 40 sites each year.

For more information on work days and volunteer opportunities like this one, visit www.mtsgreenway.org.