Regarding the planted/roped off pond at Montlake: I was part of the
restoration ecology group that planted the native trees and shrubs at the
pond. The aim WAS to increase the length of time for standing water at
that site to enhance waterfowl habitat. So, it is a tradeoff. When the
pond dries up later in the summer, it becomes a mecca for off-road
bicyclers to cross and recross and recross damaging the soil and
plantlife and disturbing any remaining birds 'n critters. We were hoping
to raise awareness.....even if only modestly.....in all visitors about the
impact thoughtless and/or ignorant humans can have on the environment.

Montlake Fill is a model for how urban "wildernesses" can be integrated
into a high density urban area. No, things ain't perfect, and we still
have much to learn. What do you suggest to help protect potential
shorebird areas at Montlake from human "multiple" use? Ideas are needed
and welcomed!

Maureen E. Ellis
Dept of Environmental Health
Toxicology Group at Roos 1
Univ of WA
mellis at dehpost.sphcm.washington.edu
me2 at u.washington.edu


On Mon, 5 Jun 1995, Dennis Paulson wrote:

> >Do your bit for the environment and create more habitat for shorebirds and
> >ducks - next time you visit Montlake Fill grab a handfull of Purple
> >Loosestrife
> >and rip it up !!!!
> >
> >Stuart MacKay
>
> And, while you're at it, pull up some of the shrubs/trees that the Center
> for Urban Horticulture has unwisely planted around the only pond on the
> fill that still had some potential to attract shorebirds! They roped it
> off so people couldn't approach the birds, fine and dandy, then with the
> tree-planting zeal that horticulturists cultivate, decided to make it a
> woodland pool. They probably don't know that shorebirds--excepting
> probably Solitary Sandpipers--don't feed among the trees.
>
> Destroy this message so it doesn't fall into the wrong hands!
>
> Dennis Paulson, Director phone: (206) 756-3798
> Slater Museum of Natural History fax: (206) 756-3352
> University of Puget Sound e-mail: dpaulson at ups.edu
> Tacoma, WA 98416
>
>
>