Six Scouts from Bellevue’s Troop 626 completed service projects this year, a key step on their way to receiving their the Eagle Scout rank.

Jeffrey Pyke completed his Eagle service project on Oct. 16 when he led workers to clear stumps and invasive plants at a trail head entrance in the Newport Hills Community. The group then planted native trees and shrubs and put down mulch.

Jeffrey led 20 helpers who contributed a total of more than 45 hours of community service.

Brian Helmholz also completed his Eagle service project Oct. 16 October 16, 2010 when he led volunteers planting native trees and shrubs and restoring a young forest along the Lost Meadow Trail at the Bellevue Botanical Gardens. Blackberry clearing and non-native plant removal had already been accomplished, so the volunteers worked within a large planting area.

Harrison Kwik’s Sept. 18 Eagle service project involved constructing a bench outside the Jubilee Reach Center, a community center dedicated to supporting undeserved youth and building families and communities.

The project consisted of a paver laid patio, two benches, and two potted trees. The patio was made to accompany the sign in front of the building and to provide a place where people can socialize and sit outside. The project took an entire day to complete and had 89 total volunteer hours.

Sean Hones completed his Eagle service project Aug. 7 by coordinating a group of 20 volunteers to paint both sides of a large perimeter fence at the Seattle Nikkei Manor, which is a retirement home in Seattle.

Cory Black’s Eagle service project on June 26 helped in the effort of the Newcastle Weed Warriors to improve the environment by removing invasive species and to preserving the natural habitat. He organized volunteers to remove invasive species of weeds such as blackberry bushes, knot weeds, hawthorne plants, buttercups, scotch broom, horse tails, and also underbrush from an area in Lake Boren Park in Newcastle.

The group planted native plants to prevent the invasive plants from growing back. The project involved 147 volunteer hours.

Ricky Adams’ Eagle service project June 12 involved acquiring materials, scouting location, detailing maps and creating service groups to coordinate 20 volunteers of mostly scouts from his troop to secure 240 disc warnings near storm drains in Bellevue Phantom Lake drainage basin.

Th disks let people know not to pour toxic materials down the drain because they drain to creeks and watershed areas. Ricky prepared materials to discuss with the troop the importance of protecting the watershed areas.