Camas, Washougal students help at wildlife refuge

WASHOUGAL — Students from Camas and Washougal schools helped volunteers at Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership with restoration of the Steigerwald Lake Wildlife Refuge in November. Three schools in Camas and Washougal brought 11 classes of fifth-graders to explore the refuge and help with restoration. Students “planted a mix of black cottonwood, red osier dogwood, and a mix of different willows, surrounding each log habitat structure with a layer of new vegetation,” according to a photo diary posted in the organization’s newsletter. All together, students and volunteers have planted 3,610 native plants and cuttings. There will be more volunteer opportunities on Feb. 29 and March 21. Visit www.estuarypartnership.org.