Since 2005, more than one thousand students, teachers and family members from five schools here in East Jefferson County have planted 46,000 native trees and shrubs to help restore wild salmon habitat. Salmon are now returning to restored stretches of the Tarboo-Dabob Watershed, spawning new generations of native fish that will be shaded by these trees forever. This February, they will plant 5,000 more.

Each tree is planted in honor of someone, through the sale of Tree Cards sold at participating schools and businesses. This year, the card features “Sharing Their Journey,” by Port Townsend artist Richard Jesse Watson. All proceeds from Tree Card sales go to participating schools: Chimacum Pi, Swan School, Quilcene Primary and Port Townsend OCEAN Program.

Please encourage our schools to keep teaching children how to help the environment by purchasing satsumas at Port Townsend Food Coop.  For each box you buy starting November 28th thru Christmas, The Food Coop donates $1 to support Northwest Watershed Institute, the founder and coordinator of the Plant-A-Thon. To donate directly or learn more, visit: www.nwwatershed.org.