Washington Trails Association - West Bay Woods Work Party
2025-03-28 08:30 - 15:30, 2025-04-02 08:30 - 15:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Dickinson Ave NW Trailhead, 1319 Dickinson Ave NW, Olympia, WA, 98502, United States
Overview
This is a WTA event. To participate, you must RSVP through the WTA.
Take in views of Olympia’s West Bay while we work to create a sustainable trail in this tranquil neighborhood preserve.
About the Area
The West Bay Woods is a remnant shoreline forest on the western shoreline of the Deschutes Estuary. The bluffs over West Bay Drive historically fed the beaches of the Deschutes Estuary. Today the forest is separated from the tidal waters by post-industrial fill. Though degraded, logged in the early settlement period, and farmed in places, many glimpses remain of what the forest once was.
What to Expect
We’ll have fun, work hard and make a difference! No experience is necessary.
Project Description
We will be focusing on making the current trail through the preserve more established and durable. The work will involve removing organic material, backfilling with gravel, improving drainage, and building box steps in a few steep sections.
Hiking Information
Our hike to the project site is expected to be less than 1 mile over flat or gently rolling terrain.
Schedule

8:30 AM: Be ready to sign in and meet the crew, rain or shine
8:35 AM: Gather for a safety briefing, then hike to the project site
Morning: Work at your own pace, and take breaks throughout the day
12:00 PM: Lunch on the trail
Afternoon: Consider trying a new task before wrapping up the day’s work
3:30 PM: Sign out after enjoying refreshments at the trailhead

For safety reasons, arriving late or leaving early is not allowed.
Planning Information
Get ready for a great day outside!
What it Takes to Do This Work Party

No experience is necessary—just bring a great attitude for working with a team! WTA provides the training and tools you need
Expect to be physically active at your own pace for up to 6 hours on uneven terrain
Recommended for ages 10 and older; under 14 must be accompanied by an adult and a parental consent form must be signed for anyone under 18

What to Wear
Required:

Sturdy closed-toe shoes
Work gloves
Eye protection (glasses, sunglasses, or safety glasses)
Long pants

Recommended:

Sturdy work or hiking boots
Long sleeved shirt

A hard hat will be provided by WTA. Additionally, work gloves and eye protection will be provided by WTA if you do not have your own, but when possible we recommend bringing your own. For safety reasons, certain tasks may be assigned based on the safety level of your footwear. Volunteers who do not have long pants, or sturdy closed toes shoes, will not be able to participate in the work party.
What to Bring

Lunch and plenty of water
Rain jacket and pants
Extra warm clothing in case of wet or cold weather
A pack to carry your personal gear
A sense of fun and adventure for learning new skills and meeting great people!

Firearms and weapons are not allowed.

Washington Trails Association Work Party - West Bay Woods
2025-04-18 08:30 - 14:30 | West Bay Woods
We will be focusing on making the current trail through the preserve more established and durable. The work will involve removing organic material, backfilling with gravel, improving drainage, and building box steps in a few steep sections.

Schedule

8:30 AM: Be ready to sign in and meet the crew, rain or shine
8:35 AM: Gather for a safety briefing, then hike to the project site
Morning: Work at your own pace, and take breaks throughout the day
12:00 PM: Lunch on the trail
Afternoon: Consider trying a new task before wrapping up the day’s work
3:30 PM: Sign out after enjoying refreshments at the trailhead

You must register for this event at: https://www.wta.org/volunteer/schedule/workparty/a2mPB000001eBll/

West Bay Woods Ivy Removal Volunteer Work Party
2025-04-19 10:00 - 14:00 | WA
We will be continuing to remove invasive English ivy from the West Bay Woods, and we need help from our wonderful volunteers!
If you arrive by car, please park on Rogers St. and sign in at our reception table at the Dickinson Trailhead.
We will have some tools and work gloves available, but please bring your own clippers/pruners and gloves if you have them. As always, we will provide coffee, water, and snacks.
See you there!

Washington Trails Association Work Party - West Bay Woods
2025-04-23 08:30 - 15:30 | West Bay Woods
We will be focusing on making the current trail through the preserve more established and durable. The work will involve removing organic material, backfilling with gravel, improving drainage, and building box steps in a few steep sections.

Schedule

8:30 AM: Be ready to sign in and meet the crew, rain or shine
8:35 AM: Gather for a safety briefing, then hike to the project site
Morning: Work at your own pace, and take breaks throughout the day
12:00 PM: Lunch on the trail
Afternoon: Consider trying a new task before wrapping up the day’s work
3:30 PM: Sign out after enjoying refreshments at the trailhead

You must register with the WTA to join: https://www.wta.org/volunteer/schedule/workparty/a2mPB000001eBnN/

Washington Trails Association Work Party - West Bay Woods
2025-04-30 08:30 - 15:30 | West Bay Woods
We will be focusing on making the current trail through the preserve more established and durable. The work will involve removing organic material, backfilling with gravel, improving drainage, and building box steps in a few steep sections.

Schedule

8:30 AM: Be ready to sign in and meet the crew, rain or shine
8:35 AM: Gather for a safety briefing, then hike to the project site
Morning: Work at your own pace, and take breaks throughout the day
12:00 PM: Lunch on the trail
Afternoon: Consider trying a new task before wrapping up the day’s work
3:30 PM: Sign out after enjoying refreshments at the trailhead

For safety reasons, arriving late or leaving early is not allowed.
You must register for this event with the Washington Trails Association at: https://www.wta.org/volunteer/schedule/workparty/a2mPB000001eBoz/

Green Cove Creek Volunteer Work Party - Free the Trees!
2025-05-17 10:00 - 14:00 | Green Cove Creek Preserve
Come join us at one of our Green Cove Creek properties to assist with freeing the trees from English Ivy. If you have a favorite pruning saw, now is your chance to put it to use! Clippers or pruning shears will also be helpful, along with a pair of work gloves. As always, we will provide tools, gloves, OCR coffee, water, and snacks!
There is no parking at this location, so if you drive, you will need to park near the intersection of Kaiser Road NW and 14th Avenue NW, and look for our sandwich board marking the site along Kaiser Road.

Work Party at Cooper Crest Preserve
2025-07-19 10:00 - 14:00 | Cooper Crest, 2922 20th Ave NW, Olympia, 98502, United States
We have a great work party planned for Saturday the 19th at Cooper Crest! We will be collecting Riverbank Lupine seeds, sanding and painting two picnic tables (shout out to our friends at Stone Creek Pizza for the free tables!), and weeding. Please come prepared with work gloves and a bucket or container if you would like to collect seeds. As usual, we will provide water and snacks. Arriving by foot or by bike is encouraged. If you drive, you may park on 20th Ave NW, or in overflow parking at Marshall Middle School. See you the 19th!

Saturday Stroll through the West Bay Woods
2025-08-23 10:00 - 11:30 | Dickinson Ave NW Trailhead, 1319 Dickinson Ave NW, Olympia, WA, 98502, United States
Join us for a guided tour through the West Bay Woods!
Olympia Ecosystems’ Board President, Sarah Hamman, will lead a walk through the woods, discussing the history of the site, our restoration goals, restoration actions to date, and stewardship plans for the future. We’ll also discuss the important roles that urban forests play for local wildlife, stormwater quality, cultural resources, and human health. Any and all questions about plant ID are also welcome! We’ll have some coffee and water for folks to enjoy along the way so bring your coffee mugs and water bottles to fill for the casual Saturday stroll through the woods!
What: Saturday Stroll through the West Bay Woods
When: August 23rd, 10-11:30am
Where: Dickinson Ave trailhead (1212 Dickinson Ave NW). If you’re driving, please park on Rogers and walk down Dickinson to the trailhead.
Why: Learn about the history, current restoration work, and future vision for this urban forest, and enjoy a beautiful morning walk through the woods!
Other details: Some of the trails are fairly steep, none of them are paved, and there are a few stairs. Please wear sturdy shoes! We will start and end at Dickinson Ave NW.

Work Party at West Bay Woods
2025-09-25 09:00 - 15:00 | West Bay Woods
This is unusual, we are holding a work party on a week day!
Our friends at TY Lin Engineering have offered to do some volunteer work on September 25 and we thought it would be nice if other volunteers could join in.
We will be working on the West Bay Park Connector property to remove invasive species. This is the beginning of the next phase of work on West Bay Woods.
Eventually all trails will be connected!
WHERE: 1107 West Bay Drive, across from West Bay Park
WHEN: Thursday September 25, 9am – 3pm
WHAT TO BRING: Work gloves and clippers/pruners if you have them
WHERE TO PARK: Please park at the West Bay Park and walk up the north trail. Our property is right across West Bay Drive.

[CANCELLED due to inclement weather!] Volunteer Work Party
2025-10-25 10:00 - 14:00 | Dickinson Ave NW Trailhead, 1319 Dickinson Ave NW, Olympia, WA, 98502, United States
Sadly, due to inclement weather, we have had to cancel this Volunteer Work Party. We look forward to seeing you next on Nov. 22.

Volunteer Work Party to replant the new Stormwater Park South pond
2025-12-20 10:00 - 14:00 | Stormwater Park South, 1215 West Bay Drive, Olympia, WA, 98502, United States
Have you seen the new stormwater pond along West Bay Drive? You may have noticed that it would benefit from a few more trees and shrubs. Fear Not!
We will be replanting this new area with native plants at this volunteer work party, and we’d love your help.
Please join us for a community planting day to bring more life and shade to this special spot. Bring gloves and shovels if you have them – we’ll provide some tools, along with snacks, coffee, and water. Get ready for some planting fun!
If you’re driving, please park at West Bay Park on the bay side of West Bay Drive NW and cross the street to our site.

Volunteer Work Party on MLK Day at Cooper Crest
2026-01-19 10:00 - 14:00 | Cooper Crest, 2922 20th Ave NW, Olympia, 98502, United States
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr., we will be holding a planting party at Cooper Crest on January 19th. Planting will be focused around a 1-acre area that was not restored while we worked to get control of a Japanese knotweed infestation. That area is now ready for planting and we will start with cedars and firs. Work will entail planting, mulching, and some invasive weed control. Will you join us for a day of service on MLK Day?
Bring gloves and be ready for some muddy fun! We’ll provide tools, snacks, coffee, and tea.
If you’re driving, please park on 20th Ave NW or in the parking lot at Marshall Middle School. We look forward to seeing you there!

Volunteer Work Party - West Bay Woods Ivy Clearing
2026-02-21 10:00 - 14:00 | Dickinson Ave NW Trailhead, 1319 Dickinson Ave NW, Olympia, WA, 98502, United States
Have you been feeling tense or stressed? Pulling English ivy can be surprisingly cathartic. Join us and other volunteers for a few hours of fresh air, engaging conversation, and hands-on work that makes a real difference for the environment! Bring gloves if you have them, we will provide coffee, tea, snacks and water.
We look forward to seeing you there!

March Volunteer Work Party in the West Bay Woods - Ivy Removal
2026-03-21 10:00 - 14:00 | Dickinson Ave NW Trailhead, 1319 Dickinson Ave NW, Olympia, WA, 98502, United States
We will continue caring for the West Bay Woods forest by removing ivy and making space for our native trees and shrubs to thrive! Bring gloves if you have them, we will provide tools, coffee, tea, snacks and water.
See you there!

Volunteer Work Party in the West Bay Woods - Dickinson Ave Ivy Removal
2026-04-18 10:00 - 14:00 | Dickinson Ave NW Trailhead, 1319 Dickinson Ave NW, Olympia, WA, 98502, United States
This site is OlyEcosystem’s newest addition to the West Bay Woods! It is a beautiful stretch of forest, but many of the trees and shrubs are overwhelmed by ivy. Join us in giving them new breathing room to grow – while enjoying fresh air, good company, and the camaraderie of fellow volunteers. Bring gloves if you have them, we will provide coffee, tea, snacks and water.
See you there!

May Volunteer Party in the West Bay Woods
2026-05-16 10:00 - 14:00 | Dickinson Ave NW Trailhead, 1319 Dickinson Ave NW, Olympia, WA, 98502, United States
Our May volunteer work party will once again be in the West Bay Woods. Your help has been invaluable in clearing this beautiful forest and we thank you! But there is still work to be done, so please join us for our next spring work party – we look forward to seeing you there!

Guided Tour of Cooper Crest Preserve
2026-06-14 11:00 - 13:00 | Cooper Crest, 2922 20th Ave NW, Olympia, 98502, United States
Join us for a guided tour of the Cooper Crest Preserve led by our Board President, Dr. Sarah Hamman. Sarah brings extensive expertise in conservation and ecological restoration through her work in Oly Ecosystems, Ecostudies Institute, and The Evergreen State College.
During the walk, she will share insights into the preserve’s history, plant identification, local wildlife, and restoration efforts. Space is limited to 20 participants to allow for discussion and questions.
Please RSVP by June 12th by emailing volunteer@olyecosystems.org NOTE: Waitlist available – This list is currently full, but a waiting list is open.

June Work Party at Stormwater South
2026-06-20 10:00 - 14:00 | Stormwater South, 1215 West Bay Drive NW, Olympia, WA, 98502, United States
Our beautiful new Stormwater South pond needs a little TLC. You helped us plant the gorgeous native landscaping around it, but the weeds are trying to take over. Join us for a fun community weeding party to help the pond thrive and keep this special place looking its best!
Please park in the garage at 1115 West Bay Drive NW. Better yet, walk or arrive by bike.
Bring gloves if you have them, We’ll provide snacks, coffee, and tea.
We look forward to working alongside you!

Deschutes River Preserve Work Party - Help Needed
2026-07-26 08:00 - 12:00 | Deschutes River Preserve, 8143 Keanland Park Ln SE, Tumwater, WA, United States
Due to an expected dry summer, we need to mulch the young trees in the lower pasture area of the Deschutes River Preserve. These trees are essential to provide future shade for the Ayers/Elwanger creek – a critical step in the restoration of this area to a healthy riparian habitat with cooler water for salmon spawning.
We’ve received a generous supply of mulch from Recompose, but we need volunteers to help spread it around the trees!
When you arrive at the gate, drive through until you reach a large gathering area. Please park carefully so there is room for everyone.
Bring gloves if you have them, and a water bottle. We will provide refill water, snacks, coffee, and tea.

September Work Party at West Bay Woods
2026-09-19 10:00 - 14:00 | Dickinson Ave NW Trailhead, 1319 Dickinson Ave NW, Olympia, WA, 98502, United States
Let’s welcome fall with a volunteer work party at West Bay Woods! This beautiful forest is looking better than ever thanks to your hard work, but a few invasive plants are till hanging on. Join us as we continue removing these invaders, helping native plants thrive, and preserving this special woodland for everyone to enjoy. Every helping hand makes a difference!

October Work Party at Cooper Crest Preserve
2026-10-17 10:00 - 14:00 | Cooper Crest, 2922 20th Ave NW, Olympia, 98502, United States
The restoration project at Cooper Crest Preserve needs some TLC! It’s time to upgrade the young trees’ protection by replacing the remaining plastic barriers with metal ones, which will promote growth while still keeping them safe from deer. We will also be removing invasive species, so come prepared for some cathartic weed pulling!
