On a damp October morning away from the noise of I-5 and life's usual distractions, a group of volunteers huddle near a white canopy. Braving the cold, they wait to hear the plan for the day of work they had sacrificed their Saturday for. Most everyone here has a direct association with the base, but few know that Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) is home to the largest expanse of glacial outwash prairie. Out of all historical prairies of this nature, only 5% still exist, almost all of which are within the borders of JBLM. Donning boots and raincoats, the group of volunteers seeks to restore the vital prairie habitat.

While the rain may have held off on a downpour, raincoats served a unique role at this event. Volunteers pulled, heaved, and carried bundles of wet reed canary grass against their bodies to a pile for disposal. Although it is believed to likely be native to North America, reed canary grass is considered a threat to wetlands in Washington State. Single-species stands of the tall grass offer little value to wildlife, drives siltation in irrigation ditches, and prevents other species from prospering. On JBLM, reed canary grass was beginning to overgrow stands of willow planted in an earlier project.

Along Muck Creek, volunteers eagerly approached the tall and dominating grass - among them were soldiers, airmen, Boy Scouts, and veterans. The willow stands in question were planted to bolster spawning habitat for the Coho, Chum, and the occasional Chinook salmon that find their way up the creek from the Nisqually River. An added benefit: where there's a willow there's a beaver. In prairies and wetlands like those found on JBLM, beavers are often applauded for their ability to widen and diversify streams and creeks - creating a wetland paradise. Evidence of beavers was all too obvious, as the tree holding a wildlife camera was felled and dragged away by an enterprising Castor.

"We were given instructions on how the reed canary grass as an invasive species has choked out different streams and waterways throughout the JBLM training areas," states SFC Leif Wywadis. Leif represented Backcountry Hunters & Anglers' Armed Forces Initiative as JBLM's newly appointed installation coordinator. An avid outdoorsman and leader, Leif fits the bill perfectly. Installation coordinators are a small but growing segment within BHA - as one of 19 AFI installation coordinators from bases across 14 states, Leif has an opportunity to make a big impact.

Todd Oller, the Washington State Liaison for AFI, adds that installation coordinators add value by "growing the membership base, fostering a culture of conservation among active-duty service members and veterans, and enhancing public awareness of outdoor access issues." Although bases like JBLM offer incredible habitat and recreational opportunities, benefits extend to the nature of their personnel. Due to orders, transfers, and deployments, bases experience a consistent rotation of service-minded individuals and their families. Upon settling into their new home, they’re often eager to network and experience the opportunities of their region and community. Opportunities like the Muck Creek restoration project are mutually beneficial for the habitat, organizations like BHA, and military members alike.

In western Washington, we'll be coping with the rain for at least the next six months. As we bundle up to brave the elements in our late season and winter pursuits, somewhere on Muck Creek countless pearly orange eggs will be laying under their beds of gravel waiting for their time to hatch. Over the following years, we hope to see the thriving fruits of our labor.

Want to get involved with your local installation or AFI chapter? Check out https://www.backcountryhunters.org/afi_state_installation_liaisons or https://www.backcountryhunters.org/armed_forces_leader_signup for more information.

A special thanks to the event leaders, Dennis Buckingham and Hailey Dunn, JBLM Fish and Wildlife Biologist and JBLM Environmental Outreach Coordinator.

Jacob Greenslade is Washington AFI’s Communications Board Member, a Marine Corps veteran, and a conservation storyteller. He, his wife, and his two sons live in southwestern Washington where there is ample opportunity to enjoy nature.