Overview We seek to restore Kincaid Ravine, a 2.2 acre urban forest in the northeast corner of campus. Our project will transform this neglected ravine from a declining and unsafe area to an ecologically healthy campus forest. This work will increase native species biodiversity, and enhance the ravine’s ability to perform important ecosystem services. It will also create an upland forested outdoor laboratory for academic exploration on main campus, as well as a space for students to engage with the natural world just steps from their residence halls. Project Goals 1. Ecological restoration of Kincaid Ravine through removal of invasive species and re-establishment of appropriate native plant communities. 2. Engagement of students and academic units in both the initial restoration and long-term stewardship in order to create learning opportunities and environmental awareness. Key Stakeholders This project is being designed as a partnership between Martha Moritz (student project manager), Howard Nakase- UW Grounds (land manager), UW Botanic Gardens (faculty/administrative sponsor unit), and EarthCorps (outside expertise on restoration and major volunteer event coordination). Other project stakeholders in support of the restoration efforts include: Kristine Kenney,(Campus Landscape Architect), Josh Kavanagh (UW Transportation), Mike Ward- Seattle Department of Transportation (adjacent land owner), Kern Ewing and Jim Fridley (UW faculty members), the UW Chapter of the Society for Ecological Restoration, Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity (key volunteers), and a variety of other Registered Student Organizations (RSOs). Project Phases Planning - Spring and summer of 2013. We will lay the groundwork for success by: cementing important partnerships and conducting critical outreach with UW staff, academic units, RSOs, and other stakeholders for the initial restoration and long-term site stewardship; developing a restoration design; conducting baseline ecological monitoring; and preparing to launch the restoration work beginning in Autumn 2013. Prior to beginning the restoration efforts, the homeless encampments will be addressed in partnership with the UW Police Department, the Seattle Police Department and UW Grounds to remove any trespassers and clean up the associated debris. Phase I - Autumn, Winter, Spring of 2013-2014. The work will involve major removal of invasive species, installation of hundreds of native plants, and other restoration work (e.g. slope stabilization, installing mulch, and creating maintenance access). This will involve EarthCorps crews and hundreds of student volunteers. Phase II - Summer 2014-2016. The work during this time involves two to three years of maintenance, including ongoing invasive species monitoring which will guide continued removal of undesirable species regrowth, care for installed native species, and replanting when necessary. This phase will be performed in partnership with UW Grounds, EarthCorps, and student volunteers from academic units (e.g. UW Botanic Gardens) and RSOs. Phase III - 2016 and on. The primary task will be minimal and ongoing invasive species maintenance. Based on the knowledge gained from decades of restoration experience in Seattle parks, we believe robust stewardship during the two years of Phase II will set the site on a trajectory for success and minimal maintenance in Phase III. Student Involvement: Our project will provide a great variety of opportunity for student involvement, including one student project manager, leadership opportunities for RSOs and a Fraternity, and significant volunteer opportunities. From the creation of the Kincaid Ravine as an open space decades ago, students have played an integral role in the protection of this urban forest. Below, we describe the history of this involvement, as well as the current opportunities for student involvement this project would provide. Education & Outreach: For our project to succeed, extensive outreach and educational opportunities are essential. Outreach is built into our work recruiting volunteers for restoration, and is critical to maintain the visibility of the ravine. Educational opportunities are incorporated into our work parties, and are inherent in the service learning partnerships we are developing with academic units. Our specific approaches for the various phases of the project are described below.

Planning Phase and Phase I Outreach Approach: Partner with key academic units and other groups for volunteer recruitment, including: the Carlson Center, Program on the Environment, School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, the UW Restoration Ecology Network, and the UW Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Association. Develop and implement informative presentations to appropriate classes for volunteer recruitment and general outreach and education, including ESRM 100, ENVIR 100, restoration courses, and more. Seek an article in The Daily in Autumn 2013, just as the project begins, to promote project visibility. Formalize the partnership with UW Society for Ecological Restoration (SER-UW) and Phi Kappa Theta, who will take on long-term stewardship in future phases; engage EarthCorps volunteer specialists to provide technical assistance on this effort. Phase II and III Outreach Goals: Continue established volunteer outreach and student involvement on campus through the developed partnership with SER-UW and Phi Kappa Theta. Environmental Impact: Living Systems and Biodiversity Environmental Problem: Kincaid Ravine is one of the last remaining pieces of undeveloped land on campus, and one of the last such tracts of land in the entire University District. It plays an important role in the campus and neighborhood ecological landscape -- providing critical ecosystem services such as stormwater retention and purification, air filtration, and habitat provision for native plants and wildlife. Equally important, the ravine has the potential to offer students the experience of “nearby nature,” whether for recreation or academic exploration. Unfortunately, after decades of neglect and a variety of deleterious human impacts, the ravine’s ability to provide these important ecological and social services is seriously threatened. Like many forested greenspaces in Seattle, the ravine’s canopy is made up of deciduous trees that are coming to the end of their natural lifespan, and its understory is dominated by invasive plants that smother new native trees and shrubs. On its current course, the ravine’s ecosystem will decline precipitously over the next generation. We are proposing a large restoration project to reset the ecological trajectory of the site, and to engage students in stewardship. Through a year of intensive work removing invasive species and planting a variety of appropriate native plants, and two to three years of intensive maintenance, we put the ravine on a course to sustain itself. By involving hundreds of students in this work, the ravine will serve as a “campus forest,” providing educational and recreational opportunities for years to come. Explain how the impacts will be measured: We will monitor the site’s ecological conditions before and after the project: During the Planning Phase, we will perform baseline ecological monitoring to determine the exact composition and abundance and native and invasive species, through line transects and photo-points. We will repeat this monitoring process after the restoration work in Phase I in order to determine our immediate impact. By documenting the change in species inventory of both native and invasive vegetation, we can provide quantitative evidence of increased native biodiversity in the Kincaid Ravine. This data will be used to guide the maintenance in Phases II and III. The invasive species data will be important when creating a long-term stewardship plan. Specific management goals will be set for individual invasive weed species in order to prioritize the maintenance in areas where the greatest ecological need is present. Total amount requested from the CSF: $70,179 This funding request is a: Grant

BUDGET

Cost/Item Quantity Subtotal

SALARIES / WAGES

Stipend for Student Project Manager 6,500 1 6,500

CONTRACTUAL SERVICES

Phase I Restoration Expenses

-EarthCorps Crew days for invasive removal 1,597 12 19,164

-EarthCorps volunteer management Event Coordination 1,597 5 7,985

Contingency Budget for Phase I Restoration

-Potential for 5 additional crew days, additional supplies, etc 7,985

Phase II Restoration Expenses

-EarthCorps Crew Days for invasive removal or volunteer management 1,597 12 19,164

MATERIALS / SUPPLIES

Outreach Materials for Student Involvement NA NA 1,200

Plants 3.75 1,500 5,625

Mulch $23/yard 23 yards 3,450

Other restoration materials 300

Contingency for Phase II Materials 2,500

TOTAL 65,888

Kincaid Ravine Restoration Project Supplemental Materials

These supplemental materials are intended to support the Committee’s ability to understand

our project. In the following pages, you’ll find:

* Our project Timeline, which did not fit in the format of the online form

* Answers to specific questions to Committee had during the LOI phase

* Letters of support from: Kristine Kenney, Phi Kappa Theta, and UW Transportation

Timeline

TASK TIMEFRAME EST. COMPLETION DATE

Planning Phase -

Lay the groundwork for enduring project success by: cementing important partnerships and conducting critical outreach with UW staff, academic units, RSOs, and other stakeholders for the initial restoration and long-term site stewardship.

Develop a restoration design.

Conduct baseline ecological monitoring.

Prepare to launch the restoration work beginning in Autumn 2013 by completing the initial invasive weed removal with Earthcorps crews.

Prior to beginning the restoration efforts, the homeless encampments will be addressed in partnership with the UW Police Department, the Seattle Police Department and UW Grounds to remove any trespassers and clean up the associated debris.

June- September 2013

September 2013

Phase I –

Advertise student volunteer events to appropriate campus groups (e.g. Program on the Environment/ ESRM students).

September 2013- June 2014

June 2014

Continued removal of invasive species, using both Earthcorps crews and student volunteers.

Installation of hundreds of native plants (November 2013- March 2014). Planting will be completed by student volunteers.

Other restoration work will include: slope stabilization, installing mulch, and creating maintenance access). This work will be primarily completed by EarthCorps crews.

Secure a capstone student for continued leadership of the project for the duration of Phase II.

Continue additional vegetation monitoring.

Phase II –

Two to three years of maintenance, including ongoing invasive species monitoring which will guide continued removal of undesirable species regrowth. This work will be performed in partnership with UW Grounds, EarthCorps, and student volunteers from academic units (e.g. UW Botanic Gardens) and RSOs.

SER-UW led volunteer maintenance events (Approximately 2 per quarter, Autumn-Spring).

Care for installed native species, and replanting when necessary.

Reapplication of mulch when necessary.

June 2014- December 2016

~December 2016

Phase III –

The primary task will be minimal and ongoing invasive species maintenance completed by the UW Grounds staff.

Continued support by SER-UW student leadership, initiating routine volunteer maintenance events (Approximately 2 per quarter, Autumn-Spring).

2016 and on Ongoing

Answers to Committee Questions on the Letter of Intent The following information is intended to answer the Committee specific questions regarding our proposal. We are happy to answer any additional questions, or provide any needed information. Are there opportunities for matching funds?

We have not identified any outside opportunities for bringing in cash match at this time. However, there is tremendous in-kind support for this project being contributed by student volunteer hours, and EarthCorps in-kind project development support.

Please clarify the role of EarthCorps.

This project is being designed with EarthCorps as an important partner, providing crucial expertise and support for both on-the-ground restoration activities and volunteer management. Specifically, EarthCorps staff is providing in-kind project development support; and crews of AmeriCorps members serving with EarthCorps will perform intensive restoration work as well as coordinate major volunteer events.

EarthCorps is a well-respected environmental non-profit with 20 years of experience leading community-based restoration efforts in Seattle’s urban forests. EarthCorps brings the infrastructure and expertise necessary to make a project of this scale feasible. Their role as experienced field staff will be essential in completing the work in less accessible areas of the site and accelerating the restoration timeline with efficient and expert removal of the invasive weed species that are less feasible for student volunteers to handle. Their support of volunteer events will include providing the necessary tools for student volunteers to work with. In addition, expert crew members will be present during events to provide support and encourage volunteers in order to facilitate a positive, rewarding experience for the students working in Kincaid Ravine. The project area is rather large, and so being able to use a combination of both restoration experts and volunteer support is vital in meeting the project goals.

Is there a plan for addressing the homeless population that currently uses the space? Potentially a link to public safety or a local non-profit that works with the homeless population in the area?

Responding to the homeless population in the ravine will be a collaborative effort, involving the UW Police Department, Seattle Police Department, UW Grounds, UW Environmental Health and Safety, as well as U District service providers.

In an (unofficial) initial meeting with a UWPD officer, it was confirmed that they would assist in removing any people present in the space when the time came. This would be in conjunction with the SPD as necessary. Once any present individuals were removed, a combination of UW Grounds and UW EH&S would assist with cleaning up the remaining debris. This would occur sometime in August/September, prior to the initial restoration work. We believe that the frequent student presence and additional visibility that will come with restoration work within the Ravine will deter individuals from returning; this is the case in many restoration efforts in Seattle parks. During four site visits in the last month, no trespassers were observed within the Ravine during the time on site.

Confirm with SDOT that any work on 45th or the Burke-Gilman trail upgrades do no conflict with this project.

We have confirmed with both Seattle Department of Transportation and UW Transportation that our work will not conflict with planned transportation upgrades along either the Burke-Gilman or the 45th corridor.

SDOT included a line item in their 2010 45th St Viaduct repairs to develop a pedestrian and bike access corridor, connecting the west end of the Viaduct to the Burke-Gilman Trail. Due to budget overruns, this portion of the project was never completed. In a phone conversation with Tony Mazella (SDOT Strategic Advisor), it was confirmed that there were no future plans or potential budget. Tony was in enthusiastic support of this portion of land being restored, and wanted to lend any design support if needed.

The UW Transportation has said that their planned Burke-Gilman improvements will not conflict with our efforts. In fact, they believe that restoration of the ravine adjacent to the Burke-Gilman Trail will support of their efforts to provide safe and enjoyable walking and biking experiences on campus. (Please see attached letter of support from Jim Kavanagh).

Make sure there are clear understandings of the property boundaries and rights-of-way in the area, as the ravine may have complicated ownership.

Property ownership of the portion of the ravine we seek to work in is straightforward: UW owns the property, and SDOT maintains small rights of way (ROW). We are currently in communication with the Viaduct project manager, Mike Ward, to determine the exact width of the 45th St ROW. In any case, SDOT has a long history of partnering with restoration projects in their ROW, as part of the Green Seattle Partnership.

Kristine Kenney, ASLA, LEED®AP University Landscape Architect Office of Planning & Budgeting

April 11, 2013

Campus Sustainability Fund Committee

University of Washington

RE: Kincaid Ravine Restoration Project LOI

Dear CSF Committee:

I’m writing in support of the request for funding for the Kincaid Ravine Restoration Project. This area is such a missed opportunity on campus and restoring it to a more native ecology that could provide research opportunities for future students and habitat for wildlife is an ideal project for the CSF Committee to endorse. The opportunity to team with EarthCorps will provide the students with an excellent hands-on experience working directly with one

of the leading restoration groups in the Puget Sound region. The project as a whole will be a tremendous asset to the Grounds Shop as they face additional budget constraints and will help establish best-practice protocols for restoration of native areas on campus. In addition, clearing out some of the invasive understory and bringing awareness to the part of campus should help alleviate some, if not all of the issues we face with homeless encampments and the potential threat to student safety.

After reviewing a copy of the LOI (provided by the students), I’ve asked the team to consider the type of ecology in which they’re trying to restore the site; more research regarding wildlife habitat as it relates to plant selection; a greater understanding of the ecosystem services that will be provided and how these might be monitored over

time; and considerations regarding safety of students during the restoration activities. They’ve been very receptive to my comments and I’m hopeful they’ll be incorporated into their full proposal.

I want to reiterate my support for this project and encourage you to support it as well.

Sincerely,

Kristine Kenney, ASLA, LEED®AP

Cc: Rebecca Barnes, Justin Hellier, Howard Nakase

To the Campus Sustainability Fund Committee: I serve as the Philanthropy Chair for Phi Kappa Theta fraternity, I am writing to support the Kincaid Ravine Restoration Project’s request for funding from the Campus Sustainability Fund. We are a young, diverse chapter, with more than 30 members who are excited about the opportunity to serve the UW community through our philanthropy. Our members have been looking for an opportunity to enhance the philanthropic aspects of our fraternity by participating in local projects; particularly on our beautiful UW campus. We want to get our hands dirty serving our community, and the Kincaid Ravine Restoration Project offers us this opportunity. By taking part in a major restoration project in the ravine—just a few blocks from our house—we will get our members outside and active, doing hands-on service for the environment. The infrastructure and momentum that the CSF funding would provide to the project would allow us to have a deeper and greater impact than our volunteer efforts could alone provide. Thank you for the opportunity to express our support! Sincerely, Jared Lynn Phi Kappa Theta, WA Beta Delta Philanthropy Chair

Project Approval Form

Project Title: Kincaid Ravine Restoration Project

Primary Contact: Martha Moritz

By signing this form, I confirm that the project lead(s) has/have discussed this project with me, and that I

(please check all that apply):

approve the stated project to be conducted on the University of Washington-Seattle campus (this approval can only be given by campus units or by individuals on behalf of campus units) (REQUIRED)

agree to be part of the project team

will provide support to the project by being a partnering organization, department, or individual.

am the administrator for my campus unit and agree to be responsible for the financial and human resources transactions associated with this project.

agree to take over the operational costs of this project.

With the following stipulations (if applicable): The planning phase will be a critical step that will need review and approval by many campus partners before any work can be initiated. Establishing an MOU with the campus organizations that will partner in this long-term venture, and then determining a realistic approach to the amount of maintenance work this concerted effort can actually manage will be imperative. This will ultimately identify how to phase out the limits of disturbance for the restoration work in Kincaid Ravine. I will set this precedence because I have a strong belief that any areas that have been initially cleared by EarthCorps, which cannot be maintained at the proper levels, will only re-vegetate to a much denser stand of invasive weeds. “Basically, let’s not bite off more than we can chew.” If we can come to a mutual understanding on this particular concern, then I can fully support this project.

Name/Signature: Howard Nakase

Date: April 11, 2013

Title: Manager

Department/Organization: Facilities Services, Facilities Maintenance & Construction – Grounds Management

Phone: 206.685.1407

Email: hmnakase@uw.edu

Additional Notes:

Please save this completed form as “Project Contact Name_Project Name” and email it to uwcsf@uw.edu. The

email originating directly from the approving body will be considered a signature. Paper copies may be sent

through campus mail to Attn: CSF Fund Coordinator, Box 351248 or dropped off to the CSF Office at 280

Gerberding Hall and must include an original signature of the approving body.

To: CSF Committee 6/5/14

Re: Kincaid Ravine Phase I Additional Funding Request

The restoration progress in the Kincaid Ravine has been tremendously successful thus far. The

achievements of Phase I have been highlighted by the physical landscape changes, and the encouraging

public support of the project. However, unforeseen obstacles have arisen, which has forced some

adaptive management in order to continue the work efforts in the Ravine. Garbage buried beneath the

blackberry brambles and ivy mats has slowed progress in certain sections of the site. Hazardous

materials, such as needles and soiled clothes, and large items such as mattresses, shopping carts and

furniture have been uncovered. Careful removal and proper disposal of these items from steep slopes,

demands the expertise of a technical crew. Furthermore, the presence of steep slopes within the project

boundaries requires the use of erosion control materials and restoration practitioners trained to work

safely on these slopes. Although, we have incorporated volunteer and student labor into the project,

and will continue to do so, maintaining volunteer safety is a priority. At this point, the area in which

volunteers can safely work is confined to the areas that have already been cleared in Phase I.

Ecological restoration is an ongoing and multi-year process. Our commitment to continue

restoration for the first three critical years of the project is reflected in these efforts to effectively secure

the budget until 2016. Earthcorps has also shown their dedication to the project by seeking outside

funding sources through the King Conservation District. Approximately $12,000 remains in the budget

and has been set aside to fund ongoing work in the Ravine, which will include: fostering student and

volunteer participation, providing budget for student research groups like the REN capstone class, and

purchasing contingency materials (i.e. plants, mulch, etc.) The funds needed from CSF right now are

necessary so we don’t lose ground on the work that has been completed and are able to push the

clearing progress forward. The prospect of having a secure budget is also critical to recruiting future

student project managers.

The attached budget projection is specifically designated for contracted Earthcorps technical

crew days to address the unforeseen obstacles aforementioned. The $30,000 budget represents 19 crew

days, which we consider the minimum amount to thoroughly complete Phase I. The immediacy of this

request is due to the oncoming peak of the summer growing season. The nature of successful invasive

species management is to stay ahead of the rapid growth rate of the weedy vegetation. If we are able to

manage the invasive regrowth right now, we will ultimately lower the scope of work in the long run,

thereby reducing total costs.

We greatly appreciate the CSF committee’s consideration of this additional funding request.

Your ongoing support of our long-term vision for the Kincaid Ravine will be the backbone of the success

of this project.

Sincerely,

Martha Moritz

Scope of Work for:

University of Washington Plant Operations - Annex 4Box  352166 Seattle, WA 98195

Date: 6/2/14Name of Project: Kincaid Ravine Restoration ProjectAgency Contract No.: 755919Earth Corps Project No.: 501-14-01

Crew Days or Hours

Crew Day Rate

19 1,178.75$ 50

Erosion control: misc. materialsParking: $13.22/dayPortable Toilet: 3 weeks, appx. $175/week

Narrative Scope of Work: Kincaid Ravine is a 4 acre urban forest in the northeast corner of the goals include the following: 1) Habitat Restoration: Enhance the ecological integrity of the ravin establishment of appropriate native plant communities. Manual invasive removal will primarily western clematis, reed canarygrass, and hedge false bindweed within 2.25 acres of the ravine, shrubs, and trees. Erosion control measures will occur as needed. EarthCorps will provide a cr licensed crew supervisor, transportation, materials acquisition, and all tools necessary for acco

Task 1: Habitat Restoration (Crew Labor)Days in field: Feb-June 2014Project Management

Herbicide & equipment

Total of Sub-Totals

TOTAL FEE

Materials (cost estimated, truck fees included)

Sales Tax: 9.5% Location Code: 1726

TOTAL PAYABLE

Labor$1,178.75

$69.00$28.75

Payment: invoiced monthly until completion, 30 day payment requested.

Fee ScheduleCrew Day (5-6 persons/van/equipment)Project Manager/hourField Technician/hourField Trucks (4x4 pick up / 3 ton dump truck) $75/dayHerbicide Application Equipment: $20/day

From:Kym FoleyEarthCorps6310 NE 74th StreetSuite 201ESeattle, WA 98115Tel: 206.322.9296 Ext: 202Fax: 206.322.9312E-mail: kym@earthcorps.org

Project

Manager Rate

Materials Cost Subtotals

22,396.25$ 69.00$ 3,450.00$

25,846.25$

500.00$ 500.00$ 251.18$ 251.18$ 550.00$ 550.00$ 200.00$ 200.00$

1,501.18$

27,347.43$

27,347.43$

e University of Washington campus. Project ne through removal of invasive species and re-

target Himalayan blackberry, English ivy, followed by installation of native groundcovers, ew of 5-6 including a WA State pesticide mplishing the activities described.

2,598.01$

29,945.44$