Earth Share of Washington

Paddlers Explore Northwest Discovery Trail

- By Reed Waite of Earth Share organization Washington Water Trails Association

Forty-eight paddlers, sailors, and rowers, ages 6 to 84, set off the morning of Saturday, October 15, to dedicate four Northwest Discovery Water Trail public boat launch sites in the Tri-Cities. Local Washington Water Trail Association (WWTA) volunteers coordinated the event with help from WWTA’s Seattle office and the Northwest Discovery Water Trail Steering Committee. Mayors, port and park commissioners, architects, National Park Service staff, and citizens spoke at the various stops and resting places about the importance of water, rivers, and recreation in the their own lives, and the lives of their communities and nation.

The event was held in conjunction with the Tri-Cities’ Lewis & Clark bicentennial event, “Down the Great Columbia.” The boaters launched from Richland’s Columbia Point traveling with west winds and sunny skies “Down the Columbia” and took out at Sacajawea State Park in Pasco six hours and 12 miles later. Along the way they pounded in trail markers carrying National Park Service Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail decals. It was on the rivers that the Army Corps of Discovery traveled 200 years ago, assisted throughout their journey by native peoples. Encampments at Columbia Park and Sacajawea State Park included both Native American and pioneer re-enactors’ exhibits.

The next day 29 paddlers and rowers gathered at Hat Rock State Park to ‘Trace the Trail’ along the Columbia’s Oregon shore. Here the Northwest Discovery Water Trail parallels Umatilla County’s Lewis and Clark Commemorative walking and equestrian trail. Spiritual leaders from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla honored the river with a service, singing under a yellow canopy of poplars. Turning the tables on Captain Clark, portrayed by a modern day Army Corps of Engineers re-enactor, tribal leaders presented him a medal. In 1805 it had been Lewis and Clark who handed peace medals out. The paddlers were given medals, flags, and small gifts before launching downriver to McNary Beach in Umatilla.

The Northwest Discovery Water Trail will link the Clearwater River in Idaho, Snake River in Idaho and Washington, and Columbia River in both Washington and Oregon. The majority of the 367-mile water trail is in eastern Washington State, an area of incomparable beauty and astounding natural features. This water trail effort began with a meeting convened by the Army Corps of Engineers in the Tri-Cities November 2001. WWTA, representatives from tribes, county and state park departments, and various Lewis and Clark Bicentennial organizations agreed with the Corps Portland and Walla Walla District staff that the concept was sound and achievable. The October 2005 events were part of a year-long series of designation activities that will continue through the fall of 2006.

When joined with the Lower Columbia River Water Trail at Bonneville, the Northwest Discovery Water Trail will be part of a 474-mile water trail system spanning the width of southern Washington from Clarkston to Cape Disappointment.

For more information on the Northwest Discovery Water Trail visit www.ndwt.org or the Lower Columbia Water Trail. Information on other water trails in Washington and the volunteer, educational, and trail programs of Earth Share of Washington member Washington Water Trails Association can be discovered at its website - www.wwta.org

Posted in the November 2005 Earth Page

White Center Youth Restore Lakewood Park

- By Steve Dubiel of Earth Share organization EarthCorps

While many young people spent their summer watching TV and relaxing at home, 12 teens joined Earth Share organization EarthCorps to spend their summer restoring White Center’s Lakewood Park. Led by two EarthCorps young adult interns, the teens removed an enormous stand of invasive Himalayan blackberry and created technical design plans for fall plantings and maintaining the area.

“This program has been the most awesome thing I have ever done! It was so cool to know there were other people who cared what happens to our environment too. I am proud every time I see the area we cleared out…All I got to say is you guys rocked my summer!” - Ifrah Ahmed, age 15

Parks Corps participants, aged 13-17, camped for their first time, earned the respect of neighbors using the park, and created strong bonds across different age groups, schools, and ethnic backgrounds. As they completed hands-on work and a complementary education program, participants learned about the importance of urban forests. Youths learned about watersheds, identified their neighborhood watershed and drinking water supply, and explored the role of urban forests in water quality.

“Working here made me a stronger person. It’s shown me that if I put my mind to something that I could accomplish my goals…One of my favorite memories would be going camping. I didn’t think I would make it out alive being the very un-nature person I am. It surprised me how much fun it was. I’m especially proud that I actually hiked up Sauk Mountain. This has definitely been one of the best summers I’ve ever had.” - Nicole Ngyuen, age 14

Parks Corps is modeled on EarthCorps’ young adult training program. Participants spend 80% of their time engaged in service to the community through habitat restoration work. The remaining 20% is dedicated to education that gives participants greater awareness of environmental issues pertinent to their community, as well as of the larger environmental and social context. SPC is founded on a positive youth development approach. The program fosters caring, supportive relationships between teenagers and leaders, as well as peer-to-peer relations. Participants are held to high standards and program leaders are committed to helping them succeed.

Lakewood Park is in White Center, an economically distressed community located in unincorporated King County. One-third of all people in White Center speak a language other than English. The park is known by several names, including White Center Ponds, Lake Garrett, Lake Hicks and Lakewood Park. Efforts are underway to control the flooding and pollution damage in and around the lake, in part through the restoration of plant communities surrounding the lake.

EarthCorps’ mission is to build global community through local environmental service. Each year, EarthCorps leads 10,000 volunteers in environmental education, service and skill building activities. EarthCorps provides environmental service opportunities for people of all ages throughout the year. To learn more, visit www.earthcorps.org

Posted in the November 2005 Earth Page

Elwha Restoration Project Underway

- By Josh Walter from Earth Share organization National Parks Conservation Association

If you have not heard of or seen the Elwha River and the restoration project taking place, get ready to watch history being made. Two dams along the river are scheduled to be removed in 2008 marking the largest dam removal project in the history of the United States. The Elwha Dam, 105 feet tall, and the Glines Canyon Dam, 210 feet tall, have been the topic of concern since the mid 1970s when the Federal Energy Regulation Commission (FERC) first heard the opposition to the dam’s relicensing. Over 25 years later, Congress passed a law to fully restore the Elwha River to its original pre-dam state. In the next three years, this restoration project will become a reality.

You may ask why these dams are being removed. There are a number of reasons, including public safety and tribal reconciliation, but the most exciting and important of these reasons is the return of wild salmon to over 40 miles of nearly pristine and untouched waters within the wilderness of Olympic National Park. Neither dam when constructed was equipped with fish passages. The park’s largest watershed has been without its most important and abundant piece of its ecosystem, salmon.

This past year has seen a number of successes in the scheduled dam removal. The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) initiated a citizen restoration volunteer program to have community members come out to the Elwha River to help with the restoration efforts and learn more about the restoration project. Since March, volunteers have pulled invasive plant species from the banks of the river. This activity is import so that when the waters start to recede behind the dams there will be less of a threat to native plants and trees to take root. NPCA will continue to hold these volunteer workdays through September of 2005 and will be continuing volunteer efforts next year.

Another success was the creation of the Partnership for Elwha Restoration Education (PERE). PERE — consisting of organizations such as NPCA and American Rivers and agencies such as Olympic National Park — will work together on the educational aspects of the restoration project. This informal working group has helped coordinate efforts in outreach to Olympic’s gateway communities as well as helped create a new curriculum for middle school and high school students to learn about the Elwha in the classroom.

With the dam removal just three years away, NPCA will continue efforts to educate groups and individuals on the importance of restoration. The return of wild salmon to the upper stretches of the Elwha River will only happen with the support of the community. For more information on NPCA’s volunteer opportunities or PERE, please contact Josh Walter at jwalter@npca.org or call 206-903-1444 ext. 25.

Posted in the August 2005 Earth Page

Policing the Wilderness - A pilot study with big results

- Submitted by Tania Holden from Earth Share organization Friends of the Trail

Friends of the Trail (FOT) was instrumental in acquiring funding for “emphasis patrols” in areas that needed help – not only with illegal dumping on public land, but also in curbing some of the illegal activities that seem to have a strong relation to the problem, i.e. illegal target shooting, illegal off-road vehicle use, drug labs, teenage drinking/partying, and the like. The patrols are carried out by off duty King County Sheriff’s officers.

Using grant funding from King County to hire deputy sheriffs to work on weekends and holidays, officers patrolled back country roads in eastern King County, especially the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Road. They were to patrol locations where shooters were either shooting guns illegally or shooting in a fashion to create a large amount of litter, and make enforcement actions as appropriate.

From May 28 through December 4, 2004, a total of 15 officers participated with the total of 164 patrolling hours. The individual officers varied from 4-32 hours of patrolling, each.

The principal objective of the program was to discover and warn illegal shooters, or legal shooters who were leaving litter, ask for cleanup of the area, and to ticket them as appropriate. The officers kept logs of their activities using the standard sheriff’s officer’s form.

Study finds patrols worthwhile
This pilot study confirmed that it is feasible to find and hire deputy sheriffs to patrol back country roads on weekends to try to suppress illegal activity. The principal objective was to reduce illegal shooting, or legal shooting but associated with littering in the woods. 16 such episodes were identified, and in each case the officers admonished or warned the people involved. This included warning for littering, discovery of abandoned or stolen cars, discovery of persons with outstanding warrants or engaged in illegal activities, illegal tree cutting, and assisting people injured or lost. The study shows that there is substantial value to the citizens of the County to have officers patrolling these areas on weekends, over and above the impacts on illegal shooting/dumping.

Friends of the Trail is actively working with the King County Sheriff’s office to assign officers to patrol these areas on weekends, routinely and on a rotating basis, as part of their regular schedule.

Posted in the August 2005 Earth Page

Help Hiking Trails this August - Just Go Hiking!

- Submitted by ESW organization Washington Trails Association

Every hiker knows the rewards of hiking that “extra mile”… lunch at a cool alpine lake, a breathtaking scenic vista, or a bit more solitude. This August, there is a new motivation for hikers to keep up the pace. Every single mile you hike can mean more needed funds for protecting and maintaining Washington’s hiking trails.

Hike-A-Thon, an annual benefit for Washington Trails Association, kicks off August 1st. Participating hikers will collect pledges from friends, family and co-workers, then log their miles hiked all month long. Those pledged dollars go directly into programs to protect and maintain trails at Washington Trails Association.

“Hike-A-Thon connects hikers with the trails under their boots in a really meaningful way,” said Lace Thornberg, Development Coordinator for Washington Trails Association. “And it offers hikers the chance to give back to the trails they love.”

“The amount you raise for trails is up to you!” she added. “Set a fundraising goal for yourself and a strategy to meet your goal. Ask everyone you know to help you help trails and earn some new hiking gear along the way.”

Anyone can participate, whether you hike a lot or a little, uphill or downhill, in boots or in sandals! Hike-A-Thon participants will be eligible for cool prizes, and have the satisfaction of knowing that each and every mile hiked goes towards protecting and maintaining hiking trails.

To help you to go that extra mile, WTA and Hike-A-Thon’s corporate sponsors are offering a few tantalizing incentives you can accumulate as you raise more and more money. Get a gorgeous nature poster from Good Nature Publishing if you raise $50 for trails. If you raise $100, you also earn a National Geographic Map for Washington State. Keep going to $400 and get a hiking guide book by Wilderness Press. Raise $500 and add a WTA logo T-shirt to the prize pile. Keep going to $600 and choose a Green Trails map pack, with several topo maps of your favorite area. The biggest Hike-A-Thon money raisers, those who bring in $1250 or more, are thanked with an Arc’teryx day pack.

WTA also has new Montrail Boots and Camelbak packs for winners in the following categories: Most Miles Hiked, Most Trails Traveled, Most Money Raised, and Most Pledges Collected, and Top Youth Hiker.

And, WTA’s added two new prize categories this year – Most Miles Hiked and Most Trails Traveled on the Olympic Peninsula.

Interested hikers can register for Hike-A-Thon online at www.wta.org, or call (206) 625-1367. There is no fee to register for WTA’s Hike-A-Thon. All Hike-A-Thon materials are available at the WTA website, or can be mailed to you. The Hike-A-Thon Sponsor Form makes it easy to gather and record pledges for your Hike-A-Thon, and the Mileage Log Form helps you keep track of your miles hiked throughout the month of August. Completed forms and donations should be turned into WTA by September 9, 2005, to be eligible for Hike-A-Thon prizes.

Posted in the August 2005 Earth Page

Back to Life: The Iron Goat Trail

- submitted by Todd Jennings from ESW organization Volunteers for Outdoor Washington

March 1, 1910, near Wellington. Two Great Northern Railway trains—a local passenger and a fast mail from the east—are delayed by snow slides just west of Stevens Pass. Snow plows are out of coal, food is scarce and the heavily falling has been joined by a tremendous lightning storm. Then, in the middle of the night, a huge section of snow on Windy Mountain breaks free and rushes down the mountainside, sweeping the cars into the Tye River Valley 150 feet below. Ninety-six souls are lost that night, the deadliest avalanche in American history.

The Wellington disaster of 1910 is just part of Back to Life: The Iron Goat Trail, a documentary to be premiered at the end of the month. This 30-minute film documents how thousands of volunteers have turned an abandoned railway bed into an interpretive trail that brings back to life the rich history of the Great Northern Railway.

Great Northern’s line over Stevens Pass began as an intricate set of switchbacks cut into the mountainside. The switchbacks posed serious problems: steep slopes requiring lots of coal and water, plus the hazard of rock and snow slides. Then in 1900 a 2.6 mile-long tunnel was blasted through thanks to three years of three shifts of men working seven days a week. (During tunneling operations, the story goes, 800 men worked, while 800 slept and another 800 stood at the bar.)

Snow slides remained a problem, however. To address this danger, Great Northern built eight snowsheds; their sloped roofs created a continuous line with the mountainside to keep snow sliding over the sheds, thereby protecting the track and trains. But not all sections were covered and barren hillsides—often the result of fires sparked by passing trains—only increased the likelihood of avalanches. The Wellington disaster of 1910 closed the line for nearly three weeks.

Harsh winters continued to make it difficult to maintain the tracks and snowsheds and in 1929, following the completion of a new 7.8 mile-long tunnel, the Great Northern abandoned the section that is now the Iron Goat Trail. Camps were torn down, people moved on, and thick vegetation reclaimed the mountainside.

Since 1990, thousands of volunteers, led by Volunteers for Outdoor Washington, have contributed over one hundred thousand hours to turning the abandoned line into a historic recreational trail. Today the completed trail is over nine miles long; about half of it is wheelchair accessible. In 2006 a third trailhead—the Iron Goat Interpretive Site that will also serve as a Highway 2 rest area—will provide another point of access.

Back to Life: The Iron Goat Trail is from the lens of John de Graaf, a veteran filmmaker with a mantle full of awards. This 30-minute documentary showcases the area’s natural beauty and remarkable history, and weaves the story of the volunteers and their labor of love. Moreover, Back to Life demonstrates the power of citizen action—led by the vision of 87 year-old Ruth Ittner—to preserve the past and the environment for future generations.

Look for the red carpet world premiere of Back to Life: The Iron Goat Trail on Wednesday, May 25th @ The Mountaineers Seattle Branch. (KCTS Channel 9, the local PBS-affiliate, will air Back to Life on Thursday, June 2nd at 10pm.) The premiere event is free and a wine and cheese affair. So they know how much wine and how much cheese, they’re asking that people RSVP: info@trailvolunteers.org org 206-517-3019.

To join an Iron Goat Trail work party—every Wednesday and Saturday!—and experience the snow shed remnants and soul-refreshing scenery for yourself, please visit www.trailvolunteers.org and click on Events Calendar.

Posted in the May 2005 Earth Page

May is Washington Trails Association's Families Go Hiking Month

Why put your hiking gear away when you have kids? Bring the kids along on the trail and introduce them to the wonders of nature.

To children, the natural world is a place of wonder and curiosity, waiting to be explored. Hiking is a fantastic way to combine quality family time with exercise and exploration of the natural world.

To help families get on the trail to explore, Washington Trails Association (WTA) declares the month of May Families Go Hiking month. WTA is hosting two great family-friendly activities to get you started, and featuring family hiking info on its website (www.wta.org) and Washington Trails magazine for the month of May.

With Families Go Hiking month, WTA hopes to take the mystery out of hiking with small children, and provide a supportive way to help families get started hiking together.

One big stumbling block for new parents that are experienced hikers is learning to adjust goals like distance and altitude, and expectations of what the hike will be like. With kids along, you probably won’t go as fast, or as far, or as high, but the experience has its own unique rewards.

WTA hosts a “Families Go Hiking” Clinic on Wednesday May 11th, 7pm at the Seattle REI store. The workshop covers the basics of hiking with kids of all ages, for both day hiking and overnight backpacking, and will include information on packs and gear, planning your trip, safety, food, and more. Find out the ten best trails for hiking with kids in Washington, plus how to choose your own hiking trail that is suited for small children. Also come to check out kid-friendly hiking gear from REI. The clinic is led by Joan Burton, author of Best Hikes with Children in the North Cascades.

The following Saturday, May 14th, WTA leads a Guided Hike for Families on the Lake Elizabeth Trail off Hwy 2 near Index. Bring the kids on this easy hike around a small mountain lake below high peaks. A scenic drive up Money Creek leads directly to the lake. The group will make frequent “energy stops” enjoy the plants and wildlife, and talk about what makes a great hike for kids. The hike is led by Joan Burton, author of Best Hikes with Children in the North Cascades, and Andrew Engelson, editor of Washington Trails magazine.

You can get more information on WTA’s Families go Hiking month and RSVP to either of these events at www.wta.org or by calling (206) 625-1367.

Posted in the May 2005 Earth Page

Bring the world to your home!

• Do you live in Seattle?
• Do you care about the environment and young people?
• Are you interested in learning more about other cultures?
• Do you have an extra room in your home?

Seattle residents are bringing the world to their home by hosting international environmental leaders with EarthCorps. Residents are making a major impact on our local environment and learning about new cultures without even having to leave their home.

EarthCorps is recruiting families to host environmental leaders from around the world. Becoming a homestay with EarthCorps is a great opportunity for anyone who is interested in sharing culture, meeting new faces, and making new friends.

EarthCorps is a Seattle based service, conservation and educational organization founded in 1993 with a mission to build global community through local environmental service. Annually, EarthCorps’ work engages 60 local and international youth leaders in environmental and community-building projects.

Seattle families have hosted young people from EarthCorps over the past 13 years. EarthCorps participants join us from countries including Costa Rica, Kenya, Guatemala, India, Tanzania, Nepal, Ecuador, Brazil, and more! If you would like to bring the world to your home by becoming a homestay or have questions about EarthCorps please contact Mark Howard, International Coordinator by phone: 206-322-9296 X 224 or email: mark@earthcorps.org.

To learn more about EarthCorps, visit www.earthcorps.org.

Posted in the May 2005 Earth Page

Stewardship has Big Paybacks for Public Shorelines

- by Sarah Krueger, from ESW organization Washington Water Trails Association

When Washington Water Trails Association (WWTA) volunteer Gail Wilcox, paddled her kayak to Kopachuck State Park last summer, she came armed with a camera and an eye for erosion. As a Cascadia Marine Trail Site Steward, Gail commits to monitoring one of the 53 campsites along the Cascadia Marine Trail, a National Recreation Trail in Puget Sound and a keystone of Earth Share organization Washington Water Trails Association’s efforts to improve public access to the state’s waterways for non-motorized boaters.

Less than 10% of Puget Sound’s shore is in public ownership, leaving few opportunities for beach walks or places to land a kayak. Keeping a close eye on the condition of the public lands that do exist on the Puget Sound is critical, as these sites inevitably bear the impact of wind and wave and must accommodate high visitation. The task may seem overwhelming, but individual volunteers can and do make great strides in the stewardship of these lands. Gail Wilcox’s effort to monitor the state of the shore at Kopachuck State Park, an idyllic Cascadia Marine Trail site, led to over 85 hours of volunteer power at a successful work party.

Gail documented the severe erosion of the park’s banks and the perilous condition of the stairway leading from the beach to the campsite with photos of the park. Armed with Gail’s photos, WWTA contacted Kopachuck State Park’s manager to plan the best strategy for addressing the park’s restoration needs.

Washington Water Trails Association partnered with the Hood Canal Watershed Project’s AmeriCorps Team and held a work party at the state park on February 15th. Eleven volunteers from Hood Canal Watershed Project, as well as WWTA and Kopachuck State Park staff, rerouted the eroded trail to the restroom and transplanted ferns to restore the closed trail. The park plans to replace the hazardous wooden stairway with stone steps when funding becomes available.

Efforts like these from volunteer stewards help Washington Water Trails Association ensure that water trail sites are accessible and functioning for the people who visit them. To lend a hand at upcoming shoreline work parties, or to learn more about becoming a Cascadia Marine Trail Site Steward, visit: http://www.wwta.org/get_involved/

Posted in the March 2005 Earth Page

In Brief: Trumpeter Swams in peril, 1000 Friends becomes Futurewise, Volunteers honor MLK through service

Trumpeter Swans in peril
Over the past 5 winters more than 1,400 Trumpeter Swans have died from lead poisoning after inadvertently swallowing lead shot while feeding in Whatcom County, Washington and the adjacent Sumas Prairie area in British Columbia, Canada. Swan mortalities from lead poisoning have increased in this area in recent years, despite a longstanding ban on the use of lead shot for waterfowl hunting in the United States and Canada. Lead shot is still legal for upland birds, target practice and dog training in most areas. Over 400 dead swans were picked up last winter. The mortality has grown to such a magnitude that it is threatening the recovery of the Pacific Coast Population, the continent’s largest population of Trumpeter Swans.

How can you help? ADOPT A SWAN — While the wildlife agencies on both sides of the border are working on the problem, they cannot do it all. Funding is a major problem. The Trumpeter Swan Society is raising funds by asking everyone to sponsor a swan at some level. All of the funds will go toward the project for such things as spotting scopes for volunteers who monitor the swans movements during the winter, to help pay for radio transmitters and data collection, and to fund the effort to necropsy all lead poisoned swans to glean clues from the characteristics of the ingested lead and other digestive tract contents and help pay volunteer mileage expenses. For more information on issue or to Adopt a Swan please contact them at: www.swansociety.org swaninfo@swansociety.org or call 425-787-0258.

1000 Friends of Washington is now Futurewise
On February 1, Earth Share of Washington organization 1000 Friends of Washington changed its name to Futurewise. The name change corresponds with the organization’s 15th anniversary of promoting healthy communities and protecting farmland and forests from the effects of sprawl development. The organization believes that the name Futurewise better evokes its positive vision of the future. And because it is a more unique name (there are over 300 “Friends of” groups in Washington), it will allow the group to build a stronger connection between people and its work over time. Other than the new name, Futurewise remains exactly the same group as it was under 1000 Friends of Washington. The staff, board and organizational mission and bylaws remain unchanged — and work is as important as it ever has been. You can reach Futurewise at its new website at www.futurewise.org.

Volunteers Honor MLK through hands-on environmental service!
On Monday, January 17, 2004, Earth Share organization EarthCorps led 266 youth and adult volunteers in restoring Seattle’s Mount Baker Park, part of Seattle’s nationally renowned Olmsted-designed park and boulevard system. Despite record rain (2.39 inches), this muddy group worked to make Martin Luther King Day a day of action, “A Day On! Not a Day Off.” King County Executive Ron Sims rallied volunteers under a cedar tree during lunch.

Simon, a three-year-old Mount Baker neighborhood resident, observed, “EarthCorps help[s] children, help[s] parks, and help[s] the salmon that swim by Mount Baker Beach.”

MLK Day volunteers contributed 1,000 hours of service that resulted in:

• 30,035 square feet (2/3 of an acre) of ivy removed
• 2,868 square feet of blackberry removed
• 1,265 square feet of cherry laurel removed
• 818 square feet of holly removed
• 9 tree survival rings installed
• 21,773 square feet of woodchips applied

Posted in the February 2005 Earth Page

Raining in Mexico

Earth Share Writers Corner
The Writers Corner features original content from Earth Share of Washington guest authors.

Raining in Mexico

Louise Alexander is participating in the Journalism Internship Program for Earth Share of Washington this Fall-Winter. In addition to writing for Earth Share, she works at EarthCorps, leading volunteer restoration crews on projects around Puget Sound.

I met Chema Garcia in the Spring of 2003 when we were both working as corpsmembers for EarthCorps. Although from my first meeting with him, he seemed outgoing and personable, I did not fully get to know him until our crews camped for a week at a site by the Mid-Fork of the Snoqualmie River to work on a trail project. It was early September, a typically sunny and beautiful time in Washington, but from the moment we set up our tents the sky opened up and it began to rain furiously and did not quit until a week later when we hiked out. The rainy season had come early and none of us were prepared for the downpour.

We ate our breakfast warily watching the rain switch from a drizzle to a downpour, hiked to our work site through dripping conifers, and spent the work day moving logs, rocks and tools and then sloshed our way back to camp to eat our soggy hotdogs and spend the remainder of the evening trying to dry our clothes. When it came time for bed, it seemed like a relief, a time when we weren't in the rain and didn't have to exert energy. I remember the first night I laid in my tent, exhausted, trying to sleep. It seemed like torture when I began to hear loud snores from the tent next to mine. After fifteen minutes of listening to the nasal symphony coming from just a few feet away, I lost my temper and began to shout in the hopes of waking the culprit up. Eventually I realized that I was the loser in the situation and just tried to ignore the disturbance. But as I shut my eyes and curled up in my sleeping bag, I remember thinking that it was going to be hard to stay positive for the rest of the week.

Later, I discovered it was Chema snoring that first night. But as I look back on the trip and all of its details, I realize that Chema is a reason I remember the trip as one of the best times I've had camping. Watching Chema -- from the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico -- splash in mud puddles and bathe in a freezing river and acting like he was having the time of his life, not bothered by the rain and cold was well... fun. I realize he was also an inspiration.

On the last night of camp, Chema insisted that we play a game he had made up, instead of continuing our usual ritual of huddling underneath a single, leaky tarp. Instructing everyone to stand in a circle, Chema brought out a ridiculous looking paper doll he had made. Holding it up, he pretended it was the person standing to his left and gave the doll a compliment. He then passed the doll off around the circle and everyone got a chance to appreciate someone else and to be appreciated in turn. Then Chema grabbed the doll again and kissed the doll to express his gratitude of the person he had complimented. Once again, he passed the doll around the circle for everyone to kiss. What a sight it must have been, thirteen adults, cold, dirty and wet, kissing a mushy piece of paper, underneath a tarp in the rain. Probably like some strange, bedraggled cult. But to me, the memory of playing the game is the point at which I realized that I liked what I was doing, who I was with and that I was proud of my accomplishments. The weather didn't matter, it was the community I had chosen to be a part of and the work we did together that were the important things.

Every February, EarthCorps, a local environmental organization, brings together thirty volunteers, fifteen from within the United States and fifteen international participants to work for ten months in and around King County on environmental restoration projects. The goal is to build a global community by bringing people together to work, share ideas, and learn about environmental stewardship. Jose Marcia Fernandez Garcia, (Chema) is an international participant who is currently in his second year at EarthCorps. He is a crew leader, responsible for leading a group of five EarthCorps members on restoration projects in a field setting. I interviewed Chema to try and get a sense of what it is like to be an EarthCorps international participant. Working for EarthCorps can be demanding, physically and mentally. But the reward is getting a chance to improve your environment. For an international participant, it means working to help improve a community that you are in temporarily, in a different language and where you might never be again.

The first question I asked Chema was what led him to the point in his life he is at right now. Smiling at the broadness of my question and taking a minute to think of all the possible answers, Chema replied, "I got involved with the environment at my university. I was studying natural resource management and learning about some of the problems within my country." Learning about the environmental degradation in his home town of Merrida and in his state, Chema felt that he had to do something to try and help solve the problems his country was and is facing but not addressing.

"We lack knowledge about how important it is to protect our natural resources. We have an amazing forest and a huge diversity of animals and plants. But the communities...they do not understand the dynamic of our natural resources. They just cut more trees. They keep fishing more and more. They are killing more plants and hunting more animals, and now we do not have as many resources as we had before. Deforestation, over-fishing, over population are the biggest problems we have. And they do not understand because they lack the knowledge about the environment."

One of Chema's friends and fellow classmates, Maria Jose, worked with youth in rural communities, trying to educate about these same problems. Her work inspired Chema, as well as herself, to lay the groundwork for creating their own non-profit organization. This marked the beginning of Red Ambiental Juvenil de Yucatán or RAJY for short - translation: Youth Environmental Network of the Yucatan. Along with a few other volunteers and help from their teachers, RAJY was formed with the mission "to create a conscience among the young adults in rural areas about the environment." Working in area where communities are known for their heavy use of resources, RAJY tries to focus on educating the youth about the importance of maintaining a healthy environment. Chema says RAJY's role is to, "try to give them information about responsible consumption, about how important it is to work as a community, about how strong our work is if we work together as a community."

Chema went on to explain that the most successful environmental initiatives not only protect the land and natural resources, but also serve to help curb local problems on other levels. For example, RAJY has joined a national network of non-profits whose focuses range from social injustice to economic aide. "We have to look at all of these issues because they are connected. In Mexico everything is about corruption, everything is about money, but Mexico does not see how the environment can bring in money. If we want to change anything, then we have to give the people a reason to see why it is important."

Chema first heard of EarthCorps in 2001. Amy Tippary, an ex-corpsmember and crew leader from EarthCorps traveling in Mexico heard about RAJY and volunteered with the organization for six months. Amy developed a friendship with Maria and Chema, and encouraged them both to apply to the EarthCorps International program. In Chema's eyes, Amy gave their organization a new focus. "She said it could be nice if we could act on two levels, teaching the youth and involving them with hands-on projects. From the moment Maria and I applied, we thought it would be really cool to combine these two different ways to teach. This is one of the things we saw in EarthCorps as a good source of skills for RAJY, and for ourselves too." In 2001, Chema and Maria applied to work for EarthCorps and in May of 2003, they crossed a continent to become EarthCorps International corpsmembers.

A year later, I can see that Chema has a lot to say about his experiences in Seattle. He is excited to return to Mexico, but has an aura of one that is just excited to be where he is. When asked about his time here in Seattle he replies, "It has been a wide experience. I think I have gained a lot of skills that will be important in my future. Working on different projects, understanding how important it is to try and maintain native vegetation or how so many other things depend on good habitat. Learning about trail work has been helpful because we (RAJY) can give different sources to the communities to make trail in very beautiful areas that we have in my state. They can get money from that kind of work through eco-tourism while helping their environment." Chema stops his dialogue to reflect about what he has learned before he continues. "And I have started to think of my own country as being really important to me. I have a big love for my country and now, I have ideas about how to help it, I want to go back and help my country. I am motivated to start working to create projects and work with the people there."

Chema leaves for Mexico in December and in the following months will host with RAJY an environmental work camp. The goal of the work camp is to build a trail in a natural protected area. "We think that the community there wants to attract more tourists, to try and help solve their economic problems. In addition to the trail construction to promote eco-tourism, there will be other projects to reforest the mangroves, collect seeds from native cactuses and start a nursery and a trash pick-up of the protected area. RAJY also plans to involve the local community with these efforts as much as possible. The biggest part of the camp is the people. We want to replant and reforest to create more habitat but also to promote a conscience of why it is important. The people living in the area are excited to work with groups who are from outside of Mexico and RAJY is excited to bring people from EarthCorps to have a cultural exchange."

Chema has spent the past two years working for EarthCorps and at the same time trying to put together new projects in Mexico. Knowing that he works hard and long hours here in Seattle, I asked Chema a question that I wonder of all the international participants, "Do you ever feel like your wasting your time working to help a place that is not your own?" Chema smiled and answered quickly. It was obvious he had thought about this question many times before. "There have been days that I have wanted to quit or have not liked what I was doing. But then I get a chance to see the work I have done and I realize that it is important and has an impact. The world is like my house. Mexico is my room, but I live in the world too and I must take care of it. The world... all of it is my home."

Posted in the January 2005 Earth Page

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.

Posted in the August 2004 Earth Page

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.

Posted in the August 2004 Earth Page

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/

Posted in the August 2004 Earth Page

EarthCorps' Awarded National Urban and Community Forestry AdvisoryCouncil Grant

U.S. Agriculture Secretary, Ann M. Veneman, recently announced $1,155,756 in federal grants through the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council to 14 organizations working in our nation's urban and community forests. Earth Share of Washington member group EarthCorps (www.earthcorps.org) is the sole grant recipient in the Pacific Northwest (the national competition involved 118 proposals, including 9 from our region).

EarthCorps' project is titled: "Trees and Positive Youth Development: Research on Effect of Urban Forestry Work Experiences on Inner-City, Underserved Adolescents." The project will examine the affects of urban forestry experiences on urban youth. Dr. Kathleen Wolf, from the UW College of Forest Resources is participating in this project, bringing her international reputation for work on urban forest environmental issues, adolescent behaviour and health. The project will span the next two years.

Established under the 1990 Farm Bill, the 15-member National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council advises the Secretary on the care and management of trees, forests and related natural resources in urban and community settings throughout the nation. Council members include representatives from communities, universities, non-profit forestry and conservation citizen organizations, landscape and design consultants, the forest product or nursery industry, professional renewable natural resource organizations, and USDA. Grants help to fund programs that improve the quality of the environment and the quality of life in our urban communities and also help promote the ecological, economic, and social values of healthy urban and community forests. For more information, visit the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture website.

Posted in the July 2004 Earth Page

Lower Columbia River Water Trail Opens With Fanfare

The Lower Columbia River Water Trail opened with ceremonies at Vancouver, Cathlamet, and Skamokawa, Washington and St. Helens and Astoria, Oregon the first week in June. The final ceremony coincided with National Trails Day and the inauguration of Fort Clatsop National Memorial's Netul Landing, near the site of Lewis and Clark's winter camp in 1805/06.

Hundreds of citizens participated in the water trail launch events, with 45 at Vancouver's Marine Park, over 70 at Skamokawa, and busloads at Fort Clatsop. Guides from Alder Creek Canoe and Kayak, Skamokawa Paddle Center, and Columbia River Kayaking provided safety and years of river knowledge on paddles that accompanied the events. Mountain runoff and spring tides had kayaks speeding along at over 5 knots on some portions of the Columbia. Shorter big canoes trips were lively and moved at expedition speeds with up to 17 persons on board.

Local dignitaries and Lower Columbia River Water Trail Committee members spoke briefly at each mid-morning event. The opening of the water trail is a milestone on the way to providing safe publicly accessible facilities on the 146 mile trail on the Columbia River from Bonneville Dam to the Pacific. This effort began a meeting in Longview, Washington on August 27, 2001 when the Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership convened a meeting to explore interest in a water trail. Ceremonies on both riverbanks honor years of previous water trail work and thousands of years of human use and appreciation of the Columbia River.

Many Water Trail Committee members and partner agencies attended. Among them were representatives of Washington and Oregon State Parks, National Park Service, United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, local city and county park, economic development, and community agencies, local paddlers, businesses, Lewis and Clark aficionados, and Washington Water Trails Association, an Earth Share of Washington member agency, instrumental in working on the water trail.

Over 80 sites have been identified as public launch and landing sites. More info available at the WWTA Lower Columbia River Water Trail page.

Posted in the July 2004 Earth Page

Host an International EarthCorps Volunteer

EarthCorps is a Seattle-based not for profit organization with a mission to create a global community through local environmental service. EarthCorps offers opportunities to young environmentalists from around the world to come to Seattle and actively learn new techniques to restore the global environment.

They are in need of families to host an international corps-member for the upcoming program this June 28 - December 16, 2004.

The 2004 year for EarthCorps is gearing up to be something special. They have international volunteers from Guatemala, Philippines, Kenya, Japan, Cameroon, Jamaica, Honduras, Ecuador and Tanzania! Join EarthCorps this year for the chance to bring the world to your home by hosting an international volunteer. They have twelve international participants starting in June for a six month hands-on training in the basic fundamentals of environmental restoration. They are looking for open-minded and fun families just like yours to host these participants.

If you are interested please have contact Mark Howard by phone 206-322-9296 X 224 or email: mark@earthcorps.org. To learn more about EarthCorps, please visit their website - www.earthcorps.org.

Posted in the June 2004 Earth Page

EarthCorps Helps Launch the Mayor's "Green Seattle Initiative"

- submitted by Steve Dubiel from ESW member EarthCorps

Seattle, WA - On Saturday, April 17, 2004, hundreds of volunteers, led by Earth Share of Washington member group EarthCorps, pitched in to restore local parks including Magnuson, Seward, and Cheasty Greenspace. Following last year's effort to restore Seattle's urban jewel, Seward Park in celebration of 100th Anniversary of Seattle's nationally renowned Olmsted-designed park and boulevard system, EarthCorps continues to lead volunteers in an effort to leave a legacy that will last the next 100 years.

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels and Councilmember David Della were at Cheasty recently to announce the "Green Seattle Initiative," an ambitious effort to restore Seattle's 3,700 acres of forested park lands over the next 20 years using a combination of public and private funding. 60-70% of this land is infested with invasive plants like English ivy. If nothing is done, these forests will die over the next 20 years.

Restoring the health of urban forests is a wise investment for many reasons, including:

• Enhanced quality of life and recreational benefits in urban neighborhoods which will encourage people to live in the City and reduce pressure on sprawl;
• Improved air quality resulting from the natural air filtration role of trees; and
• Reduced storm water run-off, saving the need to build millions of dollars of infrastructure to capture additional run-off.

EarthCorps extended Earth Day to Earth Month 2004 because "one day just isn't enough." Earth Day is a fitting opportunity for each of us to work with nature to make sure that we leave a legacy of a healthy environment to our children. To volunteer with EarthCorps throughout the year, visit the Earth Share of Washington website - www.esw.org/help/ - hundreds of opportunities with EarthCorps and other Earth Share of Washington members are updated daily.

Posted in the May 2004 Earth Page

White River Cleanup Project Underway

This winter, spring, and into summer, Earth Share of Washington member Friends of the Trail will begin working on a new project funded by a grant from the National Forest Foundation, the Mountaineers Foundation, and REI. A multitude of sites along the Greenwater Road, West Fork Road and Huckleberry Creek contain an abundance of camper generated trash in dispersed campsites along with other garbage ranging from abandoned vehicles, shooting site debris, appliances, and tires. This area is high use and sought after by many recreational users from South King County, Pierce County, and Tacoma.

"Very little maintenance has been performed on this forest land over the years," claims Wade Holden, Executive Director of Friends of the Trail, "and it is in dire need of a good, large-scale, organized clean up. We will be using volunteers as well as community service workers to fulfill our goal of returning this area to its natural state."

Over the last year, Friends of the Trail received numerous requests from concerned citizens for help restoring the White River District. They continue to address problems that no one else wants to tackle.

Executive Director of Earth Share of Washington, William Borden, recounts his first contact with Friends of the Trail; "Before arriving at Earth Share of Washington, I wondered how those dilapidated old cars and discarded refrigerators found in backwoods litter dumps were removed. Then I met Wade and Tania [Holden] and I understood how environmental groups big and small are helping to conserve Washington State. Friends of the Trail is cleaning up sites that are often overlooked by government agencies and larger environmental groups."

Friends of the Trail is looking for White River volunteers. If you are interested, contact Wade Holden at (425) 831-5486 or friendsot@foxinternet.net.

Posted in the March 2004 Earth Page

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.

Posted in the January 2004 Earth Page

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).

Posted in the January 2004 Earth Page

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.

Posted in the January 2004 Earth Page

Big Boats Turn Out for Ship Canal Clean Up

- submitted by Chris Wilke from ESW member Puget Soundkeeper Alliance

Fortunately the predicted high winds did not materialize on October 18, when 116 volunteers and 24 vessels gathered at Fisherman's Terminal for the annual Seattle Marine Business Coalition Ship Canal Cleanup. The event was co-sponsored by Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, a member of Earth Share of Washington, along with Seattle Public Utilities and the Army Corps of Engineers. Unlike other cleanups which utilize volunteers on-shore or on the water in small boats, this event mobilized the big rigs. Several large tugboats traveled with dumpsters on the stern and offloaded trash from kayaks and small power boats including the Puget Soundkeeper Alliance patrol boat. Kayaks and small skiffs proved to be particularly effective in getting close to shore where the trash often accumulates, although some of the tugboat pilots skillfully maneuvered their craft close to shore to snare trash directly.

All in all, eleven dumpsters worth of trash was removed from the area of the Lake Washington Ship Canal that lies between the Ballard Locks and the Fremont Bridge. Among the more interesting items removed from the waterway were a shopping cart, a relatively new street sign, and a pair of goggles with tennis balls stuck in the eye sockets. The Golden Styrofoam award (for the largest amount of trash) was given to the crew of the Crystal Charters boat and the coveted MFO award (Miscellaneous Floating Object) went to the volunteer who recovered the shopping cart from the bottom of the canal. (Okay, so it wasn't floating, but it was an admirable effort nonetheless!)

The Puget Soundkeeper Alliance office is located just 2 blocks north of the canal on Leary Way, and the Alliance likes to take care of their "home waters". Through this event, the June 28 Lake Union Sweep, and bi-weekly kayak patrols, the Alliance directed cleanup efforts over a continuous waterway that stretches all the way from the locks to Lake Washington. The waterway is also an important migration route for Chinook, Coho, and Sockeye salmon as well as Steelhead and Cutthroat trout. If you are interested in participating in on-water cleanup events or patrols, contact Chris Wilke at the Puget Soundkeeper Alliance office at 206-297-7002.

Posted in the December 2003 Earth Page

Business Leaders and Underprivileged Youth - Coworkers for the Environment

- submitted by Executive Director Steve Dubiel from ESW member EarthCorps

Seattle, WA - On Tuesday, August 19, 2003, EarthCorps youth leaders from Seattle, Guatemala, Russia, Japan and Argentina led REI CEO Dennis Madsen and 20 REI managers; Safeco CEO Mike McGavick and 20 Safeco managers; along with 20 Latino youth from Consejo Counseling Services in restoring Seattle's Thornton Creek.

Safeco and REI teams paired up with Consejo youth in a teambuilding exercise that resulted in habitat and creek restoration in Thornton Creek Park 6. Led by EarthCorps members, the managers and youth together removed invasive plants, sheet mulched (to stop the spread of invasive plants), and cut back overhanging vegetation. This project presents an opportunity for underprivileged Latino youth and corporate managers to work together, learn from each other, and provide meaningful service to one of Puget Sound's best preserved lowland forests.

EarthCorps has worked at this site since 1997. Work has included construction of a bridge that spans Thornton Creek and planting of cedar trees that have grown to 15-20 feet tall. EarthCorps continued work at Thornton Creek Park 6 through October 2003: Large woody debris and rocks were added to a 350' long stream channel to add structural complexity and stabilize banks. Invasive species were removed from the riparian zone and replaced with native vegetation.

EarthCorps is a Seattle-based nonprofit organization dedicated to engaging youth and community volunteers in restoring local parks and open spaces. EarthCorps leads 10,000 volunteers in providing 100,000 hours of service in the region annually including salmon habitat, shoreline, riparian, and wetlands restoration; hiking trail construction; invasive plant removal; native plantings; and logging road obliteration. To learn more about EarthCorps, visit www.earthcorps.org.

Posted in the November 2003 Earth Page

Adventures in Environmental Justice!

This summer, Earth Share of Washington member EarthCorps launched Adventures in Environmental Justice (AEJ): a new outreach and community development program for urban youth. The program was designed by EarthCorps ORCA - Outreach, Restoration, Community Action - Apprentices. Two week-long, summer leadership camps brought together teens age 13-18. Week one focused on the Delridge/White Center area and week two brought together youth from the SE Seattle area.

"We wanted to do the program because we found that the concept of environmental justice resonates for urban youth. It connects them to the environment and it relates to their lives," says Kale Rose, EarthCorps ORCA Apprentice.

The Adventures in Environmental Justice program included hands-on work and overnight camping, as well as educational sessions about environmental and social justice issues. A project development workshop helped participants, and the EarthCorps ORCAs, think about next steps. Their goal for AEJ is for it to be a stepping-stone to greater youth involvement in community environmental issues. Challenges this summer included working with first-time campers who were very upset to discover that there wasn't any shower, and working with youth who had never thought about getting involved in a community project.

Developing the program was a great opportunity for ORCA. They look forward to developing exciting new relationships with partner agencies like Community Alliance for Youth and the White Center Community Development Association. AEJ intends to create a lasting legacy of youth-driven community building.

To get involved in the program, please contact Allison Riese at EarthCorps, (206) 322-9296.

Posted in the September 2003 Earth Page

Citizens Rally to Remove Spartina from North Sound Bays

- By Jacques White, Habitat Director, People For Puget Sound, jwhite@pugetsound.org

Earth Share of Washington (ESW) member People For Puget Sound has initiated a long-term, community driven approach to Spartina anglica eradication in north Puget Sound. This project involves People For Puget Sound working closely with citizens, state and local weed control agencies and other partners. "The ultimate desired future condition is a Spartina-free, naturally functioning nearshore environment" says Roger Fuller, marine ecologist with The Nature Conservancy, another ESW member.

Spartina is a perennial grass that thrives in tidal flats and salt marches. This native east coast grass wreaks havoc on the nearshore habitat of the west coast. It drastically changes tidal flow, sediment buildup, and chokes the fragile nesting waters of numerous Puget Sound species. In 1995, the Washington Legislature declared Spartina an "environmental emergency" and since that time government and private agencies like People for Puget Sound have been working to eradicate the invasive weed from our waters.

According to Tom Dean, People For Puget Sound's restoration project manager, "The specific objectives for Phase I of the project are to reduce or eliminate the remnant Spartina patches in the north Puget Sound where agencies have concentrated their efforts in recent years. We will identify and help control outliers at the southern and northern ends of known infestations, and involve volunteers in identifying and marking remote infestations and clipping seed heads to reduce the spread of Spartina."

Several volunteer work parties will be organized in Skagit, Snohomish and Island Counties over the summer to dig out plants and clip seed heads in small and widely scattered infestations of Spartina. Check the Earth Share of Washington volunteer pages for updates: http://www.esw.org/help/

To learn more or get involved in Spartina cleanup, call Lisa Markovchick-Nicholls at People For Puget Sound 206-382-7007.

Posted in the September 2003 Earth Page

Boeing Awards EarthCorps $15,000 to support Urban Forest Stewardship

The Boeing Company granted EarthCorps, an Earth Share of Washington member group, a gift of $15,000 to support a community effort to remove English ivy from our urban forests. EarthCorps is a community-based environmental restoration organization that fosters youth leadership and brings people together to take concrete action for tangible change in our forests, wetlands and streams.

"The health of our community is largely dependent on a healthy environment," remarks Anne Farrell, former President/CEO of The Seattle Foundation. "While many King County residents voice concern for preserving the environment, there is often a disconnect in understanding how to become actively engaged in the process. EarthCorps' community-based approach makes it easy and fun."

Ivy is an invasive plant that slowly kills native plants and trees and provides excellent rat habitat. In Seattle alone, almost 70% of our 4,000 acres of public urban forest are invaded by ivy! With Boeing's support, EarthCorps is working to engage the community in stewarding these forests and to make Seward Park "Ivy-Free in 2003." They plan to lead 5,000+ volunteers in removing 40+ acres of ivy over the next 12 months. Ivy removal provides an important opportunity for volunteers to take part in local environmental service, creating a community solution to a major environmental problem.

The goal of this project is to:

• Increase community awareness of the problem of invasive English Ivy and conduct community education about native species.
• Inspire broad community action to remove this noxious plant from local parks and open spaces.
• Celebrate the Centennial of Seattle's Olmsted-designed park system.

To learn more about EarthCorps, visit www.earthcorps.org or contact joanna@earthcorps.org to get a team of your coworkers and friends out to pull ivy! You can find out more about English ivy and link to their project partners at www.ivyout.org.

Posted in the August 2003 Earth Page

Bringing History to the Hiker

- Submitted by Todd Jennings, Executive Director for ESW member group Volunteers for Outdoor Washington

You never know what to expect when you put a call out for trail volunteers on a weekday in March. The forecast, naturally, called for rain. Lots of it. But this is Robe Canyon, and people are drawn to its rugged beauty and rich history. Since 1995, 400 volunteers, led by Earth Share of Washington member Volunteers for Outdoor Washington, have invested more than 9,000 hours constructing a window into another time.

The Everett & Monte Cristo Railroad was built in the late 1800s to transport gold and silver ore from mines deep in the Cascades to a new smelter in Everett. In the fall the Stillaguamish River swells into roaring whitewater, and maintaining the line required yearly battles to repair damage from rockslides and flooding. Before its demise in 1933, the railway was also used to transport limestone, timber, and even tourists seeking views of the wild beauty.

A stroll along the Stillaguamish gives clues to this past: bits of a leather hat, a rusty saw blade, the brake linkage from an old rail car. The gem of Robe Canyon Historic Park is the soon-to-be-completed Lime Kiln Trail, named after a lime kiln built into the south side of the canyon that burned some 30,000 tons of limestone.

This March morning the rain clouds can’t make up their minds, and the nine volunteers are greeted with drizzle. It lingers all day, providing a cool contrast to the huff and puff of tackling a thorny thicket at the site of the future trailhead. Other work parties will focus on construction of the Lime Kiln Trail, tracing the abandoned railway route along the South Fork of the Stillaguamish.

While leading the charge is Steve Dean, it is truly a community effort, led by Volunteers for Outdoor Washington and bringing together Boy Scout Troops, Rotarians, The Mountaineers, the Snohomish County Juvenile Program, the Stillaguamish Citizens Alliance, and other groups. The 3.5-mile Lime Kiln Trail should be completed in late 2003 or early 2004.

Do you like to hike? Do you want to build new trails - and trailheads - or maintain existing ones? Do you want to learn what a pulaski is? Join Earth Share of Washington member Volunteers for Outdoor Washington for another fun and challenging season of trail work. For more information, please visit www.trailvolunteers.org/.

Posted in the April 2003 Earth Page

Wave of The Future -- Bulkhead Removal

- by Tom Dean from Earth Share of Washington member People for Puget Sound

During the first week of February People For Puget Sound led an effort to remove a shoreline bulkhead made of over 400 tires, restoring habitat for fish and wildlife in Mud Bay, at the mouth of Eld Inlet between Olympia and the Evergreen State College.

"Few shoreline property owners are brave enough to remove their bulkheads and let nature take its course," stated Tom Dean, restoration project manager for People For Puget Sound. "This is the story of one property owner who wanted to do the right thing."

The story began in 1998, when the Capitol Land Trust accepted the donation of a seven-acre conservation easement from Mud Bay resident Marjorie Randall. In 2001, the US Fish and Wildlife Service gave the Capitol Land Trust a grant to begin restoring the site, and People For Puget Sound was asked to lend a hand with restoration planning and implementation.

The attributes of the Randall Easement are many, including a small stream that flows through a very productive mudflat. At low tide, shorebirds scurry about in the mud and waterfowl feed along the shoreline.

The bulkhead, which ran along the shoreline for 150 feet, was comprised of 350 tires stacked in tiers (pictured right). "Besides being ugly, the tires covered up productive mud that would otherwise be an active breeding ground for small marine invertebrates, prized by shorebirds and juvenile salmon as forage," stated Curtis Tanner, a biologist with the US Fish and Wildlife Service. "The bulkhead removal this week restored this critical habitat area."

A backhoe plucked the tires, one-by-one, and loaded them into a dumpster. The tires were hauled away for cleaning and recycling. A crew from EarthCorps, another Earth Share of Washington member, re-graded the bank by hand, placing some matting along the shore for extra stability near the Randall home, and replacing native plants that were salvaged earlier in the restoration effort.

The project is a partnership between state and federal agencies, non-profit groups, private consulting firms, and private land owners. To learn more about eliminating your bulkhead, please call People for Puget Sound at (206) 382-7007 or visit their website: www.pugetsound.org

Posted in the April 2003 Earth Page

People For Puget Sound's New Stewardship Program for Shoreline Homeowners and Neighbors

Shorelines are dynamic ribbons of life -- a place where land and water meet to create valuable habitat for all life in Puget Sound. People For Puget Sound is helping shoreline homeowners and neighbors spread the word about protecting shorelines through the ShoreWatch program.

The ShoreWatch program is based on the successful "Block Watch" program and involves neighbors -- working, learning, and playing together under the leadership of a "Pod Leader." Pod Leaders are champions for shoreline health who are willing to invite their friends and neighbors to share their beach and learn more about their unique backyard resource. "The environmental health of our shorelines depends on broad public knowledge and concern. In the role of Pod Leader, I expect to help expand and strengthen that awareness," said Sidney Brinckerhoff, one of the first members to join this program.

People For Puget Sound helps Pod Leaders craft entertaining and educational events at their home or beach. The first event is a colorful thirty-minute "Meet the Beach" slide show to introduce shoreline residents to natural beach processes and the creatures that live within this critical habitat. Afterwards, a People For Puget Sound beach naturalist leads a low tide beach walk for the group that may culminate in a potluck or cookout. Educational Beach Field Guides are provided for guests to help them identify what they see on the beach.

People For Puget Sound is planning Pod Leader events now! To find out more about this new and exciting program go to http://www.pugetsound.org/. If you are interested in learning more about being a Pod Leader, please call Anne Dalrymple at (206) 382-7007 or email adalrymple@pugetsound.org.

Posted in the October 2002 Earth Page