Earth Share of Washington

Earth Share Notes

Dear Reader:

Beginning with this issue, The Earth Page will feature Staff Notes, monthly perspectives from Earth Share of Washington (ESW) staff members on activities and trends.

How's the environment doing these days? In April the Gallup organization released its annual Earth Day poll, headlined, "Environment Not a Pressing Concern." The article states, "Americans recognize that there are problems with environmental conditions, but are becoming less concerned about those problems." This is entirely understandable and expected. With troubles abroad, economic uncertainty, and political enmity, the environment is hardly an issue foremost on our minds right now.

Now some encouraging news. As you know, ESW is best known for helping companies to establish and build effective employee pledge programs. Since 1999, per capita giving to Earth Share has increased nearly 40 percent, from an average of $129 annually to $180! This is remarkable and generous growth in unsteady times. Now add this startling statistic: Washington Trails Association and Volunteers for Outdoor Washington reported an astounding 96,000 hours of volunteer service building and maintaining recreational trails in 2003. That's equivalent to 46 professional trail crews working full-time for a solid year.

All of this underscores the care and commitment of thousands of Washingtonians willing to act. In years ahead, as we reflect on these times of political and international instability, we will also remember this as a time when people chose to give back their time and money to a valued cause that transcends political and ideological differences.

- William Borden, Executive Director

Trail Dedicated to Late Author, Photographer, and Advocate Ira Spring

- submitted and authored by Todd Jennings from ESW member Volunteers for Outdoor Washington

News from the trail isn't always cheery with Mother Nature eroding here, heavy foot traffic there, and not so friendly budgets and policies. So it's good to stop now and then, put down the Pulaski (trail restoration tool), breathe in the fresh air and remember why we're on the trail in the first place. June 19th was such a time to rest and celebrate the grand opening of the Ira Spring Trail.

Through his books, photographs and advocacy, Ira Spring encouraged generations to explore and preserve Northwest wilderness. He died in June of 2003. Recognizing his dedication - including the rehabilitation of the Bandera Mountain / Mason Lake Trail - the Forest Service renamed this popular trail in his honor. Earth Share of Washington organization Volunteers for Outdoor Washington (VOW), with support from the Forest Service and state agencies, reconstructed this route over the past two years. Hundreds of volunteers on 77 work parties contributed over 4,000 hours toward rebuilding this Northwest gem.

Saturday, June 19th was ribbon cutting day - for this setting that meant trail tape and a trusty pair of loppers wielded by Ira's wife, Pat. The morning trailhead celebration was attended by representatives from the Forest Service and state agencies, members of the Spring family and VOW volunteers. Throughout the day the public hiked the trail, talked with trail hosts from VOW, learned more about conservation and trails at trailhead information tables, enjoyed the stunning wildflowers and views during the nearly (gasp!) 2,000 ft elevation gain, admired the newly installed bronze plaque at the Wilderness boundary that commemorates Ira's lifelong commitment to our state's wild areas, and finally cooled off on top at scenic Mason Lake.

Come and experience this trail for yourself: take I-90 east to Exit No. 45, signed USFS Road No. 9030. At the stop sign turn left, go under the freeway to Road 9030 and at a split in about a half mile continue straight on Forest Service Road No. 9031 (follow the new Ira Spring Trail sign!). Continue about 3.5 miles to the Ira Spring trailhead, parking, and facilities. Elevation 2280 feet.

VOW will remain active on the Ira Spring Trail with occasional maintenance parties. The Forest Service notes that trailhead counts, i.e., the number of trail users, is much higher than in years past. "It seems that the trail has gained almost instant fame," they report. To join a work party and carry on Ira's legacy please visit the Earth Share of Washington website for volunteer opportunities or contact VOW at info@trailvolunteers.org or 206-517-3019.

Spartina: The European Disaster

submitted by Frana Milan from ESW member People for Puget Sound

Spartina anglica is an invasive (non-native), salt-tolerant weed that was introduced from Europe in the 1960's. It aggressively displaces native vegetation, disrupts shorebird and juvenile salmon foraging areas, and impacts shellfish habitat. It is quite comfortable in the waters of Puget Sound and grows in nearly all of our unique shoreline habitat types. Left untreated, Spartina could cause irreversible damage to the nearshore environment of Puget Sound.
It's range in the Sound extends from San Juan County to King County, however, the worst infestations are in the North Sound counties of Skagit, Island, and Snohomish. Despite its concentration in the North Sound, the problem will spread quickly without the consistent effort of state and county agencies, local organizations, and the community in removing it.

Citizens play a crucial role in the fight to eradicate Spartina. The more eyes looking for this sneaky weed, the better the chances of finding every last plant and removing it. Spartina is easy to remove when it's young, but after a year or two, the roots are very deep and difficult to dig up.

So, how can you help in this effort to protect shoreline habitat? Earth Share of Washington organization People For Puget Sound and their partners will be hosting community dig events this summer. They will be training people in identification, removal methods, and who to call when you see it. For more information on Spartina, please contact Keeley, People For Puget Sound's Habitat Restoration Coordinator, in the North Sound office at (360) 336-1931 or koconnell@pugetsound.org.

To find a Spartina Dig Day near you, please visit the Earth Share of Washington website for volunteer opportunities with People for Puget Sound and dozens of other local environmental organizations.

In Brief: Native Plant Appreciation, Trout Unlimited Events, Toxic Body Burden, & Wildlife Volunteers Needed

Native Plant Appreciation
The results are in from the Native Plant Appreciation Week that we mentioned in the May Edition of The Earth Page. Over 70 activities in 19 counties were organized by Washington Native Plant Society Chapters and others throughout the state. People could participate in cleaning up a native prairie in Port Townsend, visit a Native Plant Stewardship project, learn about beach plants, tour a native plant garden, take a lichen walk, identify native plants in one of our state parks, visit a prairie on a military base, or listen to some great talks on shrub-steppe, ethnobotany and pollination ecology. At least thirty-eight cities and three counties declared May 24-30 Native Plant Appreciation Week, along with Governor Locke and the State of Washington. It may have been mostly symbolic, but it's nice to know that cities and counties throughout the state took the time during a council meeting to proclaim: native plant species are an important part of Washington's heritage ... our state enjoys an amazing diversity of over 3,000 native plant species ... preserving native plant ecosystems is critical to the long-term health and use of our natural resources ... over 360 of our native plant species are listed as rare ... invasive plant species present a threat to sustaining Washington's native ecosystems ... and urge all our citizens to learn more about our native plants, their habitats, and how to protect them.

Trout Unlimited Activities Around the State
The Des Moines Salmon Chapter of Trout Unlimited is actively working on stream restoration, including projects intended to improve in-stream habitat and produce high-quality riparian zones along these severely impacted urban salmon streams. To date, nearly a half-acre of invasive plants have been removed and more than 400 native plants have been planted near Sea-Tac Airport.

The Tacoma Chapter of Trout Unlimited has sponsored and assisted eight kids' fishing events this year, along with their fish-ins for disabled veterans at the American Lake Veterans' Hospital. Recently, the Army National Guard joined Trout Unlimited in their effort to restore Murray Creek, joining the battle against invasive plant species. Work continues and, thanks in large part to Trout Unlimited, the creek will continue to be an angling destination.

The Rainshadow Chapter of Trout Unlimited, in cooperation with the Greywolf Fly Fishing Club and Jefferson County Parks & Recreation, sponsored its fourth annual kids' fishing day at Lake Leland in June. Rainbow trout at the derby ranged from frying pan size to more than five pounds. The Rainshadow Chapter also supervised another year of the Salmon in the Classroom program at Grant Street Elementary School in Port Townsend.

Toxic Body Burden
Many U.S. residents carry toxic pesticides in their bodies above government assessed "acceptable" levels, according to a report released today in May by Earth Share of Washington organizations Pesticide Action Network North America (PAN) and Washington Toxics Coalition. Chemical Trespass: Pesticides in Our Bodies and Corporate Accountability, presents a first-time analysis of information on pesticides in the bodies of more than 2,000 people, collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The Washington State Department of Ecology has a program to eliminate persistent toxic chemicals, but the 2004 legislature exempted pesticides from the program. The Toxic Free Legacy Coalition, which includes the Washington Toxics Coalition, is using the study results to urge the Department of Ecology to include pesticides in its program to eliminate persistent toxic chemicals.

PAWS Wildlife Seeks Volunteers
Every summer the PAWS Wildlife Center receives hundreds of sick, injured and orphaned baby songbirds. Their goal with each of these animals is to restore them to full health, raise them until they are old enough to fend for themselves, and return them to suitable habitat in the wild. Reaching this goal is extremely challenging and labor intensive. During the months of May, June, and July they may have 100 or more young birds in the center at once. The majority of these birds require hand feeding once every half hour for 12 hours per day. 100 birds X 2 feedings per hour X 12 hours = 2,400 feedings per day! This quickly adds up to hundreds of hours of care given to ensure that these young birds have the best possible chance for survival when they are released. If you would like to receive training and firsthand experience in the field of Wildlife Rehabilitation, volunteering is an excellent way to do so. More information on volunteering with PAWS can be found at this link: www.paws.org/help/vol/