Earth Share of Washington

Puget Soundkeeper Alliance Expands Lake Union Stewardship Project

- submitted by Chris Wilke from ESW member Puget Soundkeeper Alliance

Lake Union and Portage Bay have been a focal point of Seattle's recreational, residential, maritime and industrial activities for over a century. These activities have resulted in the accumulation of various forms of pollution in the lake water and in the sediments. Although located in the center of metropolitan Seattle, the lakes also supply important habitat for migrating salmon and waterfowl and host a diverse contingent of aquatic animals such as beaver, turtles and crayfish.

Puget Soundkeeper Alliance (PSA), an Earth Share of Washington member organization, is undertaking a broad campaign to improve water quality in the two lake areas. The centerpiece of the campaign is an on-water volunteer cleanup event. Coined the "Lake Union Sweep," this year's event will mark the 2nd year for the effort which last year featured nearly 200 volunteers representing over 30 organizations, businesses and community groups. Some took to the water in kayaks, skiffs and other boats while others helped out on-shore. Altogether, 4500 lbs of trash were removed from the lake and surrounding shoreline on a sunny June Saturday.

The goal of the program is to improve water quality through lake stewardship. Litter cleanup is an important piece of this. Floatables, such as plastics and styrofoam are prevalent and persist for years until someone cleans them up. However the largest source of pollution is largely invisible. It is the stormwater washing off our lawns, streets and businesses.

Many areas around the two lakes have pipes that collect stormwater and direct it straight into the waterway without treatment of any sort. Stormwater carries pollutants from roads, lawns and a variety of household and business uses. PSA wants people to understand that when it comes to stormwater, every home is waterfront property.

PSA is increasing awareness on this issue by enlisting additional volunteers in storm drain stenciling projects, installing drain inserts that filter pollutants out of stormwater, placing awareness signs at popular access points around the two lakes, and supplying educational materials to residents in the surrounding neighborhoods. They will also work to educate the 3500 recreational boaters and the marinas that house them on the best ways to care for their boats without hurting the surrounding waters.

This project is funded in part by a grant from the King County Waterworks Fund and relies on additional support from area businesses and the other event partners, which include Seattle Public Utilities, Seattle Parks and Recreation, King County EnviroStars, Center for Wooden Boats and fellow Earth Share of Washington members, Washington Water Trails Association and Friends of the Trail. For more information contact Chris Wilke at Puget Soundkeeper Alliance at 206-297-7002.

2003 Workplace Giving Season Draws to a Close

- by Ana Garzon, ESW's Campaign Director

Despite the uncertain economy's direct bearing on government and corporate workplaces throughout Washington, Earth Share of Washington's (ESW) unofficial 2003 campaign totals show promise for a great year for environmental giving. The Washington State Combined Fund Drive, which represents about a third of ESW's annual campaign revenue, showed an 8% increase as of early December, with many pledge forms still waiting to be entered. The Combined Federal Campaign of King County, another large campaign for ESW, also showed a slight overall increase from 2002. From the corporate workplaces, Microsoft came in at about the same levels of 2002, and other campaigns such as Genie Industries were added and generated great results.

A highlight to date in this year's campaigns was the REI Charitable Action Campaign. REI has been one of ESW's strongest workplace campaigns, and in 2003, REI employees pledged at record levels, raising a total of over $55,000 for Earth Share of Washington and its members. In addition, REI's $30,000+ corporate match brings this year's campaign results to unprecedented levels.

Other campaign totals will be coming in as the new year begins, and we will have more information on results into the spring of 2004. Thank you for all your efforts and support during the 2003 campaign season. At ESW, we can definitely feel a growing energy and support for what ESW and its members do to improve our communities and quality of life. Thank you for continuing your role in this important effort!

Local Environmental Nonprofit Creates Global Impact

A group of young, locally trained environmental leaders are redefining what it means to be a tourist with a conscience. Youth leaders from across the US and around the world receive training in environmental restoration and community development at Seattle-based EarthCorps, an Earth Share of Washington member. Years of hard work by EarthCorps staff and supporters has resulted in exciting new projects around the world:

Ipala Volcano Project, Guatemala
ADISO (Eastern Guatemala Sustainable Development Association) and EarthCorps alumni recently completed plans for a nature education center and native tree nursery that will create a sustainable livelihood for local residents and assist with reforestation of the Ipala Volcano, one of only seven such volcano-crater-lake ecosystems in the world. Starting in January, 20 international volunteers will spend eight weeks in Ipala constructing the center/nursery.

Lake Baikal Trail Project, Russia
EarthCorps and their Russian alumni are working to develop the community skills and support infrastructure necessary to build the Great Baikal Trail (GBT), a 1,500 mile trail network that will circumnavigate the world's largest fresh water lake when complete. One of the largest and most biologically diverse lakes in the world, Lake Baikal holds 1/5 of all the Earth's fresh water. Construction will involve community volunteers, local organizations and international partners. Their goals are to encourage eco-tourism, foster local economic development, and build an international movement that will preserve and protect Lake Baikal. Support for this project is provided by Earth Island Institute, USAID/The Federation for Russian American Cooperation and Trust for Mutual Understanding. To learn how you can get involved in building the GBT, visit the Earth Island Institute Website.

Palawan Conservation Project, Philippines
Palawan Conservation Corps and EarthCorps alumni hosted an international work camp in 2003 resulting in a 10,000-square-foot native plant nursery to support the Educational Palawan Nature Parkand and surrounding natural areas. Completion of this project has greatly increased the Palawan Conservation Corps' ability to restore the local wild area. A second work camp is planned for 2004!

These youth-led, community restoration projects link the environment, tourism, service, education and economic development. For more information about EarthCorps' local and international work, contact Mark Howard, EarthCorps International Coordinator, by email (mark@earthcorps.org) or phone (206/322-9296).

Wind Causes Blowdowns, Closes Popular Winter Hiking Trails in I-90 Corridor

- submitted by Lauren Braden from ESW member Washington Trails Assocation

Washington Trails Association seeks volunteers for trail cleanup response

A major windstorm in early December wreaked havoc on some popular low-elevation trails along the I-90 corridor. Washington Trails Association (WTA) and other groups are working diligently to clear the debris as quickly as possible, but some trails are closed, and may remain so for the rest of winter.

"In a single day, last week's storm set us back years," said Elizabeth Lunney, Executive Director of Washington Trails Association. "It's like working for years to pay off your mortgage, only to see your home destroyed the day before your last payment."

Some of the more popular trails, such as the Rattlesnake Ledges Trail, are still passable, but sustained significant damage from debris and downed trees and should be hiked with caution. On Tiger Mountain, WTA crews have cleared the Around the Lake Trail, Bus Trail and West Tiger #3 Trail of downed trees, and they are open to hikers. However, some trails are closed, and many have yet to be evaluated, so please hike with caution. Trail Closure signs are posted on several trails at Tiger Mountain: Adventure Trail, Section Line Trail, Poo Poo Point Trail, Big Tree Trail, and Swamp Trail.

Unfortunately, our parks and forests don't have an insurance policy to cash in on. The scope of the recent windstorm will not be fully known until the snow melts next spring, yet it is already clear that the damage toll will be in the millions of dollars, on top of an already stretched trail budget. "It will be up to Congress to help make up the difference so that local residents and tourists from around the world can once again visit these special places," said Lunney.

Washington Trails Association has added special work parties over the next month to clean up damage and debris from the windstorm. WTA also needs hikers to help identify what trails are impacted and how badly so they can get out there and repair them. To join a work party or file a trip report of the trail damage you observed on a recent hike, please visit www.wta.org, or call (206) 625-1367.

Cool Website - January 2004

Washington Conservation Voters
http://www.wcvoters.org/

In what promises to be a big year for political elections, Washington Conservation Voters stands out as an excellent resource, educating voters on how environmental records of national and Washington candidates stack up. They are focused on electing and supporting environmentally responsible candidates for public office. No other organization does this on the statewide level.

Current legislative priorities include air and water pollution, salmon restoration, suburban sprawl, transportation, and toxic waste. Check in at their website to see candidate ratings, legislative scorecards, and more!