Earth Sanctuary's West Pond - Constructed in 1957
Here is a photo showing the excavation and creation of the West Pond at Earth Sanctuary in 1957. Newman Road is at the top of the photo. Photo courtesy of Clayton L. and Kathryn E. Walton & family.
Over the winter, over 1,100 trees were planted on the East side of Earth Sanctuary to create an arboretum. To help the trees make it through their first year, we need to water the new trees a few times this summer. If you would be willing to volunteer and help with this watering, please email Chuck at cpettis@earthsanctuary.org or call him at 360-331-6667. Thank you!
Earth Sanctuary Labyrinth Just After Placing Stone & Planting Salal
Earth Sanctuary Labyrinth in June 2009
Below is what a Western Red Cedar looks like the morning after it has been eaten by a beaver!
Now, I am slowly but surely fencing the Western Red Cedars near the ponds. It is quite a bit of work! I put the pruned cedar branches by the ponds for the beavers to enjoy as “snacks!”
A New York Times article gives a good overview on the benefits of beavers. A key learning for us at Earth Sanctuary is to plant pines, firs and spruces near the ponds, rather than cedars and willows.
As part of our 500-year plan, over 1,100 new trees have been planted on the East side of Earth Sanctuary to speed the creation of old-growth forest. Old-growth forests are the epitome of habitat for plants and animals and contribute to cooling of the environment, clean water, as well as many other important environmental benefits.
The tree species planted in the new arboretum include: Douglas-fir, White pine, Western red cedar, Cascara, Birch, Sitkaspruce, Redwood, Alaskan yellow cedar, Grand fir, Western pine, Madrone, and Sequoia.
“I love the immensity and beauty of old-growth trees,” explains Chuck Pettis, Earth Sanctuary founder. “My goal is to provide an exemplary example of ecological restoration and forest management, while creating a nature reserve with maximum diversity of species.”
We have just completed a major clearing and road project a Earth Sanctuary. When the Earth Sanctuary property was purchased, one parcel had been hard logged and was covered with mainly unhealthy trees and Himalayan Blackberries. At the end of 2008, we are now planting over 1,000 new trees in groves to create an arboretum. Come and see the new “baby forest!”
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So in the winter of 2006, it was decided that we should help the clearing along. We divided several clumps of the sedge, and scattered them along the waterway. Other plants were transplanted from other areas including; Geum macrophyllum, Tellima grandiflora, Carex obnupta and Cornus stolonifera. These are being planted late in the planting season. However, they are very close to the wetland stream, so they wont need any supplemental water during the summer. We will then be adding more species further from the water, in the fall, so as to give them the winter to help establish their roots before the following summer.
Sean Wood took this photo on June 24, 2007 in the Cottonwood Stone Circle at Earth Sanctuary.Â
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