Photos by Leda Costa for West Seattle Blog

So much happened in West Seattle this weekend … but we would argue, this is the most important. On the Duwamish River and in its watershed, hundreds of volunteers gathered to offer some help via the twice-yearly Duwamish Alive! habitat restoration and cleanup gatherings. All sizes of volunteers, including Paislee Kelm and Nash Randow-Kelm:

They were working at Herring’s House Park on the river – explained on the Duwamish Alive! website as “a 15.5 acre location created in 1999 primarily as habitat for juvenile Chinook salmon as they journey to Puget Sound.” It’s across from the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse, one of nine areas where people gathered on Saturday, one of two visited by WSB photojournalist Leda Costa – more of her photos ahead:

That’s Jasmin Lightbody, planting bulrush. There were moments to stop and regard the river …

… and moments to just keep planting (sedge, in this case):

Bob, Chad, Phillip, and Jasmin did just that:

For more than a few volunteers, this was a day of famiy togetherness – like Pen, volunteering for a fifth year with Duwamish Alive!, and mom Julie:

Rio Montana toiled away:

Rio also demonstrated proper planting techniques to other volunteers:

Now, inland to Longfellow Creek in North Delridge – where Leda caught up with ~150 volunteers after their lunch break:

Volunteers Ruud and Nicco were filling buckets with mulch:

Leda checked two other locations but work already had wrapped up. Here’s Roxhill Bog, the headwaters of Longfellow Creek:

Inbetween the two yearly Duwamish Alive! events, work continues at these and other spots along the river and in its watershed. Watch our calendar for chances to volunteer.