Kincaid Ravine Restoration Budget Amendment Proposal

Estimated Amount to be requested from the CSF: $35,000

Letter of Intent:

Since February of 2014 the UW Campus Sustainability Fund has substantially supported the restoration efforts in Kincaid Ravine.  The grant funding from CSF has primarily gone to pay for EarthCorps crew days (to perform restoration work), project materials and support for student project management and outreach.  Over the past year and a half Kincaid Ravine has been transformed from a neglected urban jungle of invasive species and trash to an amenity along the Burke-Gilman Trail as you enter campus.  While much has been accomplished already, longer term funding and stewardship is necessary to ensure that Kincaid Ravine continues its trajectory as a healthy urban forest full of biodiversity and opportunities for education and respite.  In order to achieve this goal, a budget amendment of $35,000 is being requested from CSF to continue funding restoration efforts through 2016.  Below are the major justifications and scope of work if awarded the amendment:

  1. North Slope Invasive Removal – The north slope of Kincaid Ravine is the steepest and most inaccessible portion of Kincaid Ravine.  It is also the largest area still remaining covered in invasive species and not yet in active restoration (see attached map).  Since getting a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on site boundaries signed by the UW last year we have discovered that the area available to restore in Kincaid Ravine is actually larger than first thought.  We have focused efforts in newly gained “territories” along the Burke-Gilman, but the north slope still needs a lot of attention and would not be successfully restored with current funding.  This amendment would fund a combination of manual, mechanical and chemical methods for invasive species removal that would minimize disturbance on steep slopes.  This would put the entire ravine into active restoration and allow for future access with trails, possibly connecting to the North Campus Halls.  Total Cost = $8,310.00
     
  2. Conifer Tree Planting -  We have installed over 4,000 native plants in Kincaid Ravine over the past year and a half, but a primary goal of the project is to re-establish conifer canopy cover (which is completely missing).  In order to attain this goal more quickly and with better success rates we propose planting 500 larger stock (2-5 gallon) conifers in Kincaid Ravine.  Larger trees like these will be more likely to survive with minimal maintenance and will have a couple years head start in establishment over the one gallon pots which have mostly been planted (and budgeted for) so far.  Total Cost = 9,115.00
     
  3. Site Maintenance – This will fund continued monitoring and invasive removal of regrowth throughout 2016.  It is hugely important to have funding for site maintenance in order to ensure the survival of plants that have been installed over the past two winters.  This will also include summer watering.  EarthCorps has already secured a grant for restoration maintenance from King Conservation District (KCD) and have already been using it for maintenance days as we navigate how to use the remaining CSF budget for EarthCorps work.  This amendment would provide necessary maintenance next year and allow EarthCorps to use the KCD maintenance funding through 2018.  Total Cost = $6,440.00
     
  4. Surface Water Drainage Improvements – A major problem that still needs to be addressed at Kincaid Ravine is the flooding of the Burke-Gilman Trail.  We are in the process of finishing a report with two design options that would help alleviate flooding and enhance wetland hydrology and habitat.  This part of the amendment would fund materials and crew days to permanently fix these hydrology issues.  Total Cost = $2,770.00
     
  5. Student Project Manager Stipends – The first two student project managers have received stipends of roughly $3,000 each for their work coordinating restoration efforts at Kincaid Ravine.  This funding has not been allocated for the current student project manager or any future project managers.  Project management includes coordination of many stakeholders with the UW, student groups, classes and non-profit project partners.  This includes hosting volunteer work parties, conducting outreach, managing budgets and planning for project sustainability in alignment with UW goals.  In order to compensate for these hours and to ensure buy-in from future project managers (which will be vital for long term project success) a stipend should be offered.  Total Cost = $5,800.00

Final Cost = $35,000

Notes:

The above costs do not include sales tax which would apply to items 1-4. 

Items 1-4 will go to a contract renewal with EarthCorps ($29,200 total) while request #5 ($5,800) would go into the general budget to pay for a current and future student project manager stipend of $3,000.   

Primary Contact First & Last Name: Dan Hintz