Sammamish restoration specialist outlines noxious-weed control, volunteer priorities; commission plans outreach

Sebastian Ritaka, Sammamish’s Habitat Restoration Specialist, told the Sustainability Commission that ecological restoration in the city centers on managing active restoration sites, training stewards and volunteers, and using an updated Integrated Pest Management approach to control invasive species.

“Ecological restoration is the process of helping a damaged or degraded ecosystem recover its natural structure, function, and diversity,” Ritaka said, summarizing the restoration philosophy the city applies across parks, shorelines and stormwater sites.

Ritaka described the city’s current work and priorities: 19 active restoration sites covering about 42 acres; a four‑phase monitoring framework that guides input levels at each site; propagation and plant-salvage through a city nursery; and targeted treatments for noxious weeds where eradication is still feasible. He said the city updated its Integrated Pest Management policy in 2023 and seeks to minimize chemical use, relying primarily on physical removal, suppression, soil amendments and selective herbicide use for species such as knotweed that are difficult to control by other means.

The presentation…