The Issaquah Salmon Hatchery native plant garden, nestled behind the spawning shed, owes its weed-free landscape to the diligence of a trio of local ladies – Pat McArthur, Dolores Njos and Elizabeth Taylor.

According to Pat, there is no budget for the upkeep of this garden, so any work that gets done is by volunteers and any funds they receive are through donations. They have received a grant from the Native Plant Society to purchase new plants, and recently, Pat and her husband Mike (of Mike’s Hauling and Tractor Work) delivered and spread nine yards of compost that had been donated by Cedar Grove Composting.

“The hatchery’s native plant garden probably would not exist if not for the constant tending by dedicated volunteer Pat McArthur,” said Executive Director Gestin Suttle. “Pat (and her friends) have been keeping the garden in tip-top shape throughout all the seasons.”