Earth Share of Washington

Earth Share's Day in the Park Restores Community Parks

Day in the Park, Earth Share of Washington’s annual volunteer workday, drew 500 people to 5 Puget Sound locations Saturday, June 29. Sponsored by IKEA, Preston Gates Ellis, and KMTT-The Mountain (103.7FM), the event focused on restoring and beautifying some a few of our region's most beloved natural areas.

Five Earth Share organizations organized the volunteers into work teams that cleaned beaches, built and maintained hiking trails, cleared weeds and invasive ivy, and applied mulch to planting beds. Local companies such as Mithun, Miller Hull, Boeing, Microsoft, and CH2M Hill sent teams to work alongside families so the ages ranged from children to grandparents.

Said volunteer Betsy Moyer, "Thank you so much for organizing the Day in the Park! I really had a great time attacking those invasive blackberries and I was very impressed with the park. I didn't realize how much Golden Gardens had to offer visitors and volunteers. Thanks to Earth Share for giving me an opportunity to get involved!"

Dave Manelski, who organized the event for Earth Share of Washington, said, "To see so many people of varying ages and backgrounds uniting around their communities and their parks is an inspiration. Even with all the demands on their schedules, these folks demonstrate the meaning of 'giving back'."

Transportation Choices Coalition Tackles Upcoming Transit Legislation

- Submitted by Earth Share organization Transportation Choices Coalition

In 2007, voters in King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties will be asked to pass a substantial Sound Transit and Regional Transportation Investment District (RTID) joint ballot package. This package will contain billions of dollars for new capital projects and service improvements. Its contents will have positive or negative impacts on air quality, physical activity, land use patterns, and mobility options. The outcome of this vote will dramatically reshape the direction of transportation and impact our health, environment and quality of life.

More Transit

Transportation Choices Coalition is a strong advocate for more transit options, including an expansion of light rail. With the entire region under construction, including the Alaskan Way Viaduct, the 520 Bridge and I-405, we'll need a way to efficiently move people through these corridors. Targeted transit investments will facilitate regional mobility. Light rail will connect our downtown job centers and retail developments, while increasing property values and providing guaranteed, predictable travel times.

Keep it Active-More Sidewalks and Bike Lanes

There's a growing recognition of the connection between health and transportation, and with half of our state's residents not getting enough exercise, we’re facing a growing health crisis. Sprawling, unconnected neighborhoods don't help--they limit opportunities for exercise, contribute to the nationwide obesity epidemic, expose communities to harmful air pollution and subject residents to increased risks of car accidents.

Don't Forget About Roads

The 520 Bridge and Alaskan Way Viaduct are in need of significant repairs. Decision-makers should carefully consider how they spend taxpayer money, ensuring that we fix the state's crumbling infrastructure first; use innovative congestion management strategies; and build road projects that preserve and enhance our neighborhoods.

Governor Gregoire and the legislature recently mandated full funding for the 520 bridge replacement. Now it's up to the region to design and build the right project. We must also continue to prioritize funding for the Viaduct and seawall replacement. Transportation Choices Coalition has long supported what we call the "Three T's" for this corridor--a tunnel, great transit, and the use of tolling to manage congestion and to pay for the project. Both these projects are important for public safety.

Manage congestion the right way

RTID officials must also prioritize two innovative ways to manage traffic and move more people and goods with our existing highways. First, tolling is an important way to provide congestion relief and fund increased choices like transit, vanpools, sidewalks and bike lanes. Second, our regional High Occupancy Vehicle lane network needs to be completed.

Transportation Choices works tirelessly to keep the public informed an advocate for more transportation alternatives in our region. For more information, please visit www.transportationchoices.org.

Host an International Conservationist in Your Home – September 9-17

EarthCorps is looking for families to host four Russian women and men colleagues from Siberia's Lake Baikal and Kamchatka during their 8-day stay in Seattle. This is a great opportunity to make new friends and learn more about Siberian culture. You may even pick up a great new recipe for borscht!

EarthCorps partner organizations the Great Baikal Trail Association (http://www.greatbaikaltrail.ru/index_en.html) and Kamchatka Climb (http://www.kamchatkaclimb.ru/english/) will be visiting Seattle in September 9 - 17 as part of a professional exchange.

For more information, please contact Mark Howard, EarthCorps's International Coordinator at (206) 322-9296 ext. 224.

Seattle will be the host of the Tour De Fat on August 12, 2006

The Tour de Fat brings together bike enthusiasts and advocates for an afternoon of fun, music and merriment. Costumes and decorated bikes are the rule as the participants come for a casual ride, good music and entertainment. New Belgium Brewery will provide drinks, poured by volunteers from the Bicycle Alliance of Washington and our Friends.

Amid the hoopla, Tour de Fat also raises money for the Bicycle Alliance, the statewide advocacy group who work on behalf of bicyclists and bicycling. The Bicycle Alliance contributes to a bike-friendly Washington by pushing for safety legislation and design policies and runs programs including the Bike Buddy Program and the Metro Lost Bikes.

The festivities kick off with a cruiser bike parade, featuring your wildest costume and biggest smile. Leave the road racing machine at home.

From noon to 6 bands will provide the entertainment for you as you soak up the revelry and raise awareness and money for the Bicycle Alliance.

"Tour de Fat's goal is to recycle and divert as much waste as possible at the event. At each event on the Tour, participants help keep around 85% of the total trash out of the local landfills by composting the used beer cups and paper plates and recycling plastic water bottles and soda bottles. In addition, bands play from a solar-powered stage and the entire crew travels on B100 biodiesel fuel.

"Tour de Fat is a hair-raising, high-flying, death-defying show of incredible bike silliness and skill," said Chris Winn, Event Evangelist. "You come out to the event, hang out with your friends, ride bikes and drink a little beer. At the end of the day, you’ve done your community some good just by having fun."

The Bicycle Alliance of Washington is seeking volunteers to help with activities at the event. You can join them.

They need several dozen volunteers to make this event successful. Volunteers are needed for the following shifts:

1. Set-up the beer garden, booth tents, banners, etc 7:30 - 10:30 AM
2. Morning ride registration 8:00 - 10:00 AM
3. Beer selling 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM or 1:30 - 4:30 PM
4. Beer selling and tear down 2:30 - 5:30 PM
5. Merchandise selling 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM or 1:30 - 5:30 PM
6. Break down event 5:30 - 7:30 PM

If you're able to volunteer, send an e-mail to barbc@bicyclealliance.org or phone her at 206-224-9252 indicating your desired shift.

Come Bark in the Park and get wild for wildlife!

Meet hundreds of dogs and thousands of people at Seattle's Sandpoint Magnuson Park for the 15th Annual PAWSwalk on Saturday, September 9, 2006 presented by 98.9 Smooth Jazz KWJZ and Pacific Ridge Homes. PAWSwalk raises funds for all of PAWS work including that of Earth Share of Washington member PAWS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.

Registering online for PAWSwalk is fast, easy, and guaranteed to make your fundraising more fun and successful. When you register, a personal Web page will be created and you'll be able to send e-mails asking your friends and family for donations at the click of a button.

Gather your friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors to form a team to raise money for animals in need. And remember you don't have to have a canine pal to pull you along - you can walk in honor of your favorite wild animal. After the healthy 5K walk, enjoy animal-friendly shopping, refreshments, tips on coexisting with wildlife, canine agility demonstrations, and our expanded Kid's Zone. Don't delay, join in the fun and register for PAWSwalk online or by calling 425-787-2500.

Upcoming Events & Volunteer Opportunities - August 2006

• August 5 - Golden Gardens Restoration Work Party - 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM - Join EarthCorps and the City of Seattle Parks and Recreation Department as we work to restore Golden Gardens. Located in Ballard on Puget Sound, this popular park offers extraordinary views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. Volunteers will remove ivy and other invasive plants that are detrimental to the native habitat. Other possible activities include spreading woodchips and planting native trees to restore the native tree canopy. For more information, contact Elizabeth White, Outreach Project Manager at (206) 255-4160, ext. 221or email elizabeth@earthcorps.org
• August 12 - Puget Creek Habitat Restoration - 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM - Puget Creek - Off W. Marginal Way SW, close to SW Edmunds St, Seattle, WA - Join People For Puget Sound and Sound Stewards at their Puget Creek restoration site on the Duwamish River. Volunteers will remove invasive weeds such as Himalayan blackberry, Scot's broom, butterfly bush and reed canary grass where they threaten to overtake native plantings. No experience necessary. Children 10 and under must have one to one adult supervision. Bring sturdy footwear, dress for the weather (event takes place rain or shine). Bring your own sack lunch and plenty of water. If you have tools and work gloves, bring them along, but if you don't, they will have some to spare. For more information or to sign-up, please contact Joy Wood at joykwood@msn.com or by calling 206-382-7007 ext. 220.
• August 12 - Discovery Park Picnic and Beach Clean Up - 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM - Discovery Park, Meet at the Visitors Center, Seattle, WA - Bring your picnic lunch to the grounds of the West Point Lighthouse. You can enjoy the afternoon sun in the company of the Discovery Park beach critters. Your entire family can tour the lighthouse and help People for Puget Sound with a beach clean-up. A shuttle bus will take visitors to and from the lighthouse for a $1 roundtrip ticket. For more information or to sign-up, contact Mary Beth Dols at MBDols@pugetsound.org or by calling 206-382-7007.
• August 19 - Mee-Kwa-Mooks Park Restoration Work Party - 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM - Mee-Kwa-Mooks Park, located along the shoreline of West Seattle, offers gorgeous views of the Olympic Mountains. Meaning "shaped like a bears head," Mee-Kwa-Mooks was the original name of the West Seattle peninsula. Work with EarthCorps, Seattle Parks and Recreation, and the Green Seattle Partnership as they work to keep this urban forest happy and healthy! Volunteer will remove damaging invasive plant species, plant native plants, and take care of past forest restoration sites. For more information, contact Elizabeth White, Outreach Project Manager at (206) 255-4160 or email elizabeth@earthcorps.org
• August 20 - Hamm Creek Habitat Restoration - 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM - 10000 W. Marginal Pl. SW, Seattle, WA - Join People For Puget Sound and Sound Stewards at their Hamm Creek restoration site on the Duwamish River. Volunteers will be remove invasive weeds such as Himalayan blackberry, Scot’s broom, butterfly bush and reed canary grass where they threaten to overtake native plantings. No experience necessary. Children 10 and under must have one to one adult supervision. Bring sturdy footwear, dress for the weather (event takes place rain or shine). Bring your own sack lunch and plenty of water. If you have tools and work gloves, bring them along, but if you don't, they will have some to spare. For more information or to sign-up, contact Kathleen Ryan at katryus@yahoo.com or by calling 206-382-7007 ext. 220.
• August 23 – Drink Wine. Save Water. - Please join Puget Soundkeeper Alliance for Wine & Spirits Hot Picks event on Wednesday evening, August 23rd at the Palace Ballroom. Taste 50 great wines, hand-selected by Wine & Spirits magazine's critics, all priced $25.00 and under. Proceeds benefit Puget Soundkeeper Alliance. For more information or to sign-up, please visit the Puget Soundkeeper Alliance website – http://www.pugetsoundkeeper.org/
• August 26-27 - Pedal For Puget Sound at RAPSody - Make or join a People For Puget Sound team and pedal Puget Sound at RAPSody Ride - This 165-mile ride, which starts and ends in Tacoma and encircles the southern part of Puget Sound, is being organized by Bicycle Alliance of Washington and five other area cycling clubs. On the ride you'll savor the stunning scenery, including Vashon Island, the Nisqually Delta, an overnight stay in Shelton and a 9,000-foot total elevation gain. Encourage friends and family to join you and create a People For Puget Sound team. All you have to do is help raise pledges on behalf of People For Puget Sound. You'll get a People For Puget Sound t-shirt and other cool prizes. For more information or to sign-up, please contact Nancy Hahn at nhahn@pugetsound.org or by calling 206-382-7007.