ARLINGTON — Girl Scout Troop 42168 of Arlington was among the more than 90 volunteers who helped restore habitat along the Stillaquamish River on Saturday, Oct. 23. People of all ages showed up to help plant 580 trees at the site of Arlington’s Country Charm Conservation Area and Park. Some of the new park features will be camping, sports and recreation, a children’s fishing pond, a swimming beach, Food Bank garden and an off-leash pet area.

“It was exciting to see so many volunteers, including local residents and Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, join together to be respectful to and responsible for our environment. Local tree planting is a great way to ‘Think Globally and Act Locally,'” said Kimberly Stevenson, Girl Scout leader.

The Country Charm project is providing valuable habitat for humans, while protecting that of the local birds, animals and salmon population. Tree planting along our waterways is vital to the survival of our local salmon. The roots of the developing trees will stabilize the soil along the Stilly, protecting the salmon by reducing sediment that enters into the river. Sediment can suffocate salmon as well as reduce salmon reproduction.

The Stilly-Snohomish Fisheries Task Force, an organization whose mission is to protect salmon habitat, organized the tree-planting event. To find out more information on the Stilly-Snohomish Fisheries Task Force or learn about ways you can help, please visit www.stillysnofish.org.