“It’s an honor to have the conservation district recognize the efforts of the city,” said Blaine Water Resources Manager Rebecca Haug. The Blaine Wetland Sanctuary is the city’s largest open space, with more than 500 acres of land that is being restored by removing invasive and non-native species, and bringing back native species at the same time.
The popular boardwalk through the wetland opened in 2017, and it is one way people can experience the native wetland.
“Since that time it’s been a very popular destination for people who want to be outside recreating and enjoying the boardwalk.”
There are plans for more trails through the wetland, although the exact locations are still in the works. The city also uses this space to help students and scientists study plants and wildlife.
“Because the city has been dedicated to getting this project done,” said Haug “we’ve learned that our boardwalk is a classroom, we’ve hired environmental educators who have brought all age groups out here and taught them about this site and the unique qualities that are out here.”
The area is also a wetland bank, which is an official designation that earns the city funding that it can use for more parks, trails and open space.
The city is working on restoring the wetland in the southern portion of sanctuary which goes all the way down to 109th Avenue. Through the efforts to restore these wetlands, the city has also seen some unexpected results.
“There’s a lot of amazing threatened and endangered species that, because of this work are coming back in huge numbers.”
