Earth Day Event: April 17 2010

Early morning on Saturday April 17 2010. Its 10AM and rain is sprinkling down from the grey sky of Seattle. Seattle Councilmember Richard Conlin rolls in on his road bike. Slowly volunteers begin trickling into T-105. Tools have been laid out and snacks nibbled. An osprey perches on a pillar. Time to get to work.

George Blomberg, Environmental Program Manager for the Port of

Seattle, kicked the event off with a little history of the Duwamish River. The Duwamish River started off as miles of mud flats and tidal estuary for natural wildlife habitats. When the turn of the century came, so did industrial development along the river. The Duwamish was straightened out and deepened to make way for giant cargo ships. Straightening the river and pollution from industry destroyed habitats. Now many volunteer organizations have been working to restore several areas along the Duwamish and create new habitats to encourage wildlife to repopulate.

Our mission for the Duwamish Alive! Earth Day Celebration was to sheet mulch the natural area of T-105. Our volunteer team numbered over 20 persons. We had spread cardboard and mulch over a large cleared area in no time. The work was tiring, but in the end it was quite rewarding to see all that our team of volunteers accomplished.

The end neared, the tools were packed up, people stayed to chit-chat about the proceeding Earth Day event at Pathfinder School, and news came in that there were over 900 volunteers total for the Duwamish Alive! Earth Day Celebration!! The greatest of thanks to everyone who came out this past Saturday and gave your time and efforts to restore and beautify the natural area of our Duwamish River! Give yourselves a huge pat on the back and a high five to someone next to you!

Don't forget that Earth Day is April 22! So plant a tree and hug an environmental junkie that day! Organize a group and pick up trash along the highway, visit some youth and teach them about organic gardening, or walk instead of drive! Let us know what you're doing to celebrate Earth Day! Yay for Mother Earth!!

For more coverage of this event check out the West Seattle Herald:

http://www.westseattleherald.com/2010/04/17/news/duwamish-alive-nets-938-volunteers