Earth Share of Washington

Upcoming Events & Volunteer Opportunities

• December 3 - Duwamish River Habitat Restoration – Planting - 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM - GSA Marsh, Duwamish River, Diagonal Ave S and E Marginal Way S (Hwy 99) Seattle, WA - Join People For Puget Sound and Sound Stewards at their GSA Marsh restoration site on the Duwamish River. Volunteers will plant native trees and shrubs such as red alder shore pine and nootka rose in order to provide shade and habitat to the critters that call GSA Marsh home. 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. Sign up today by contacting Troy Coleman at oldsven@myuw.net
• December 4 - Solar Power Workshop, Is Solar Power in Your Energy Future? - 2:00 to 4:00 PM -Ballard Library Meeting Room 5614 22nd Ave. NW - Solar Washington and Sustainable Ballard invite you to a public discussion with slides. Answer your questions about how people are using solar in Western Washington now, how the newly passed incentives may help motivate you to get started, what the real costs and potential benefits are, and who some of the local contractors are. For more information, contact Andrea Faste (energy guild coordinator for Sustainable Ballard) at 783-6963 or e-mail amfaste@comcast.net.
• December 6 - Wilderness and Imagination - Featuring Subhankar Banerjee, Terry Tempest Williams, and David Allen Sibley - 7:30 PM - Benaroya Hall - A special evening featuring internationally acclaimed Arctic photographer Subhankar Banerjee; noted ornithologist, bird illustrator, and author David Allen Sibley; and poet and environmental activist Terry Tempest Williams. “Wilderness and Imagination” focuses on the vital relationship of natural resources and culture. The three speakers offer richly nuanced views of nature. Terry Tempest Williams’s book Refuge: An Unnatural History of Family and Place (1991) is cited as a classic of American nature writing. Preservationists consider The Sibley Guide to Birds (2000) a monumental achievement. Subhankar Banerjee took the breathtaking photos featured in the landmark photographic exhibit, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: Seasons of Life and Land. The speakers will reflect on philosophical, literary, and visual presentations of nature. They will comment on ways in which the natural world has historically been perceived and consumed in our society, as well as the resulting impact on environmental policies. Order tickets online at http://www.lectures.org/boxoffice.html.
• December 10 - Mercerdale Hillside Restoration - 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM - Join EarthCorps, Mercer Island Parks and Recreation and community members in working to save this forested park. Community members have been working steadily since 1998 to restore this local park that is threatened by the spread of invasive plants. These invasive plants, if uncontrolled, cover and kill trees, carpet the forest floor, and prevent the sprouting of tree seedlings. This project is part of a larger effort to restore Mercer Island Parks. If you are under 18 years of age: go to miparks.net and click on volunteer opportunities. The Volunteer Activity-Youth Form needs to be signed by a parent, or call Paul West at 206.236.3544 to receive the form via mail or e-mail. Snacks, tools, and gloves will be provided! For more information contact 
Robin Berry, Project Manager, 206.793.7361 robinb@earthcorps.org.
• December 17 - Hamm Creek Habitat Restoration - 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM - Hamm Creek – Duwamish River, 10000 W. Marginal Pl. Seattle, WA - Join People For Puget Sound and Sound Stewards at their Hamm Creek restoration site on the Duwamish River. Volunteers will be removing invasive weeds such as Himalayan blackberry, Scot’s broom, butterfly bush and reed canary grass where they threaten to overtake native plants. 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. Sign up today by contacting Kathleen Ryan at katryus@yahoo.com.
• January 7 - Priorities for a Healthy Washington Legislative Workshop - 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM - Seattle Pacific University, Gwinn Room - Attend the annual Priorities for a Healthy Washington Legislative Workshop as the state’s leading conservation groups prepare for the upcoming legislative session. Attendees hear from legislators, environmental lobbyists, and members of the media and others regarding the community’s Priorities for a Healthy Washington. These priorities include legislation for cleaning up Puget Sound, phasing out toxic chemicals that impact children’s health, promoting renewable fuels and recycling e-waste, and defending against attacks on our land protections in Washington State. The workshop is hosted by Washington Environmental Council. Space is limited, so register online at http://www.wecprotects.org/join/legworkshop_reg.cfm or call 206-622-8103. Contact Amy Zarrett, WEC Organizer, at 206-622-8103 or amy@wecprotects.org with any questions.
• January 26 - Priorities for a Healthy Washington Lobby Day in Olympia - Join the state’s leading conservation groups and hundreds of citizen lobbyists to push for the passage of the Priorities for a Healthy Washington legislative package (see related item above). During Lobby Day your will hear from legislators that are championing the Priorities for a Healthy Washington legislation, receive a training on how to lobby from top environmental lobbyists, and have a chance to meet face to face with your elected officials. And don’t forget the party in the evening! Lobby Day is hosted by People for Puget Sound. To register go to www.pugetsound.org/lobbyday or contact Jim Dawson at, jdawson@pugetsound.org or (360) 754-9177.

Posted in the December 2005 Earth Page

Upcoming Events & Volunteer Opportunities

• November 4-5 - Seattle Environmental Film Festival - The Hazel Wolf Environmental Film Network is proud to announce the 2nd annual Seattle Environmental Film Festival. The Seattle Festival will be held at the Broadway Performance Hall on November 4th and 5th 2005. The festival will include a full day and a half of films and visiting filmmakers. The weekend kicks off with a sneak preview VIP reception on Thursday evening November 3rd. For more information, please visit the event website at www.hazelfilm.org
• November 5 - EarthCorps Annual Auction - 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM � Location: Temple De Hirsch Sinai?1511 East Pike, Seattle. Some of the fabulous prizes include a Trip to Maui - Enjoy a four night five day stay at a fabulous resort in Maui, Hawaii. Airfare, transportation to and from the airport, and an island activity are included. Or Two weeks in Costa Rica - Relax in a rustic and fun house in the beach town of Playas del Coco, Costa Rica. Tickets are $50, reserve your seat today by calling Keith Cousins (206) 322-9296 �101.
• November 6 - Faith & the Environment Event - Does God Expect Us to be Environmentalists? - ?1:00 to 3:30 PM - St. Luke�s Lutheran, 3030 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue - Join with religious leaders, community activists and your neighbors to find out what our faiths tell us about our responsibility as stewards of creation. Then find out what you can do in your church, your neighborhood, your state and the world to protect the earth and its people. Light Refreshments will be served. For more information, please contact Thea Levkovitz, Rev. Cheraga at 206 625 9790 ext 16.
• November 12 - Thornton Creek Restoration Work Party - 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM - Thorton Creek runs through the heart of North Seattle, from Lake Washington to Puget Sound. Not only is it the historical home of 5 species of salmon and trout, it is valuable habitat for urban wildlife and birds. The creek is the focal point of the Thorton Creek Watershed that 11.6 square miles of North Seattle, making it the largest watershed in Seattle. Being so urban has a cost. Thorton Creek is subject to flooding, its bottom is filling in as the result of sedimentation, and biodiversity amongst its wildlife is decreasing. But we are working to change all of that! Join EarthCorps, Seattle Public Utilities, and Seattle Parks as we fight to keep Thorton Creek a healthy vibrant part of Seattle! Volunteers will be mulching, maintaining past work sites, and removing invasive plant species from several parks along Thorton Creek. For more information, please contact Chris LaPointe at (206) 322-9296, ext. 217 or email chris@earthcorps.org
• November 17 - Washington Wilderness Coalition Annual Dinner & Silent Auction Featuring Nature Photographer Amy Gulick - 6:00 PM � 9:00 PM � Burke Museum, University of Washington Campus at 17th Ave. NE and 45th Street NE - Washington Wilderness Coalition invites you to join them for an evening supporting the protection of Washington�s wild forests. Enjoy a silent auction, hosted bar, catered dinner, remarks by award winning Arctic National Wildlife Refuge photographer Amy Gulick and a viewing of current exhibits at the Burke Museum, including Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: Seasons of Life and Land by photographer Subhankar Banerjee. For more information or to RSVP for the event contact Lisa at 206-633-1992 or visit www.wawild.org
• November 19 - Seward Park IvyO.U.T. - 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM - Work with EarthCorps and Friends of Seward Park as they continue to remove English ivy from the Park. English ivy is non-native invasive species with no natural predators or pests to keep it under control. The ivy poses a threat to places like Seward Park two ways, by creating �Ivy Deserts� - areas so dominated by ivy that no other vegetation can survive and by adding weight to trees, making the trees more susceptible to toppling over and to disease. By manually ripping ivy out of the park, they are helping to prevent this invasive species from taking hold and spreading. For more information about ivy removal, go to: www.ivyout.org. For more information about this event, please contact Chris LaPointe at 206-793-8030 or email chris@earthcorps.org.

Posted in the November 2005 Earth Page

Upcoming Events & Volunteer Opportunities

• October 8 - Fall Native Seed, Bulb and Plant Sale - 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM - Magnuson Park, 7400 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle - Washington Native Plant Society presents their annual Fall Native Plant Sale. The sale includes a great selection of native plants including native trees, shrubs, herbs, native bulbs and native seeds. They�ll also feature botanical and gardening books, as well as experts to consult on the best plants for your space. For further directions and a list of plants, please visit www.wnps.org.
• October 8 � Hitt�s Hill Restoration Site Stewardship - 10:00 to 2:00 PM - Join EarthCorps, Seattle Department of Parks, and Recreation, Seattle Works, United Way of King County and the Friends of Hitt�s Hill as we continue to restore one of Seattle�s newest open spaces located in Rainier Valley. Fall work parties will consist mostly of planting native trees, shrubs and ground cover as well as the removal of non-native plant species. For more information about this event, please contact Chris LaPointe at 206-793-8030 or email chris@earthcorps.org.
• October 15 - Seward Park IvyO.U.T. - 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM - Work with EarthCorps and Friends of Seward Park as they continue to remove English ivy from the Park. English ivy is non-native invasive species with no natural predators or pests to keep it under control. The ivy poses a threat to places like Seward Park two ways, by creating �Ivy Deserts� - areas so dominated by ivy that no other vegetation can survive and by adding weight to trees, making the trees more susceptible to toppling over and to disease. By manually ripping ivy out of the park, they are helping to prevent this invasive species from taking hold and spreading. For more information about ivy removal, go to: www.ivyout.org. For more information about this event, please contact Chris LaPointe at 206-793-8030 or email chris@earthcorps.org.
• October 19 - Washington Toxics Coalition’s Auction for Action - Washington Toxics Coalition cordially invites you to their fifth Annual Auction for Action Celebration and Dinner. Please join them in celebrating their recent victories and 24 years of protecting public health and the environment! The festivities will be held at the Shilshole Bay Beach Club. For more information about the Auction for Action or to RSVP, please visit the Washington Toxics Coalition website: www.watoxics.org. They also have volunteer opportunities available the evening of the auction. For more information about volunteering for this event, please contact klogsdon@watoxics.org.
• October 22 - Hamm Creek Habitat Restoration - 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM - Join People For Puget Sound and Sound Stewards at Hamm Creek on the Duwamish River. Volunteers will plant native trees such as red alder and black cottonwood in order to provide shade and habitat to the critters that call Hamm Creek home. 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 too, but if you don�t they�ll have some to spare. Sign up today by contacting Bronwyn Dexter at bdexter@pugetsound.org or by calling 206-382-7007.
• October 27 - King County Climate Change Conference � 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM- King County will sponsor the 2005 Climate Change Conference, The Future Ain�t What It Used to Be: Planning for Climate Disruption at Qwest Field, Conference Center, Seattle.
  
  Please join King County Executive Ron Sims and representatives from a broad cross-section of Washington state governments, education, businesses, tribes, farmers, nonprofit organizations and the community-at-large. They will come together to discuss climate change impacts and potential adaptations, and they will begin preparing for a future that may challenge some old but persistent assumptions.
  
  For more information, visit http://dnr.metrokc.gov/dnrp/climate-change/conference-2005.htm or contact Deborah Brockway at 206-296-1927.
• November 4-5 - Seattle Environmental Film Festival - The Hazel Wolf Environmental Film Network is proud to announce the 2nd annual Seattle Environmental Film Festival. The Seattle Festival will be held at the Broadway Performance Hall on November 4th and 5th 2005. Prepare yourself to view some of the premiere environmental films in the country. The festival will include a full day and a half of films and visiting filmmakers. The weekend kicks off with a sneak preview VIP reception on Thursday evening November 3rd. For announcements and more information, please visit www.hazelfilm.org.
• November 5 - Give Earth a Dance: A Volunteer Appreciation Party - 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM - Location: Ballard Community Center, 6020 28th Avenue NW, Seattle, WA � Did you volunteer for an environmental group in 2005? You�re invited! Seattle Audubon kindly invites all volunteers to join the Environmental Party of the Year. It�s a great opportunity to meet volunteers from Seattle Audubon, People For Puget Sound and other Puget Sound environmental organizations. You are encouraged to share the word with other environmental organizations as well. The dance is FREE for volunteers and children, $5 for everyone else. For more information, please contact Jenny Aunan at jaunan@pugetsound.org or call 206-382-7007.

Posted in the October 2005 Earth Page

Upcoming Events & Volunteer Opportunities

• Saturdays in September � EarthCorps Restoration Events � September 10 � Hitt�s Hill, Licton Springs, & Dearborn Park. September 17 � Seward Park. September 24 � West Duwamish Greenbelt. October 1 � Thornton Creek & Cheasty Greenspace. For more information about these Seattle area events, please visit the volunteer section of the Earth Share website � http://www.esw.org/help/
• September 10 � Help Host an Information Booth at the Organic Harvest Fair - The summer is winding down and so are the opportunities for outdoor activities. Seattle Tilth will mark the beginning of fall with an Organic Harvest Fair. A farmers market, demonstration garden, and children activities adorn this annual event. Staff an information booth on behalf of Washington Toxics Coalition from 2-4 PM and help hand out FREE Pesticide Free Zone lawn signs. For more information or to signup for this event, contact Kristina, Outreach Coordinator, at 206-632-1545 ext 120 or klogsdon@watoxics.org.
• September 17 - Turning Basin Habitat Restoration - 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM - Turning Basin - Duwamish River, Seattle, WA - Join People For Puget Sound and Sound Stewards removing invasive weeds such as butterfly bush, tansy and Himalayan blackberry where they threaten to overtake native plants. 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) and bring plenty of sunscreen and water. Bring your own sack lunch. If you have tools and work gloves, bring them along, but if you don�t we will have some to spare. For more information or to signup, please contact Dave Krupa at davek@pmsi.com
• September 20 - Introduction to lobbying your government: Making positive changes happen - ?6:15 to 8:30 PM - Bellevue Regional Library, Room 11111 - Give your values a voice. Elected officials want to hear from people like you. Many share our values and want to do the right thing. City and county councilmembers, school board members, mayors, and state legislators all have families, want to breathe clean air, drink clean water, and don�t want to reward polluters. But they can�t lead if they�re not sure we are behind them. Program speakers will include local elected officials, professional lobbyists, and volunteer lobbyists. There is no cost, but an RSVP is required by Sept 15. There is a size limit, so register early by email to Peter Orth at: Legislative-Chair@cascade.sierraclub.org
• September 24 - Puget Sound Kids Day Celebration - 12:00 PM - 2:30 PM - Mt. Vernon, WA - Join People for Puget Sound for this annual celebration for kids of all ages at the Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Mount Vernon. Spend the afternoon creating fish prints, learning about marine life, listening to music and the chance to win some great door prizes! This family-friendly event is free and open to the public. Advanced registration is not necessary, but you�re welcome to let us know you�ll be attending, especially if you�d like to volunteer! For more information or to signup to volunteer at this event, please contact Britta Eschete at beschete@pugetsound.org or call (360) 336-1931.
• September 30 - 8th World Wilderness Congress - Anchorage, Alaska - The theme of the 8th WWC is Wilderness, Wildlands and People � A Partnership for the Planet. This Congress will generate the most up-to-date and accurate information on the benefits of wilderness and wildlands to contemporary and traditional societies, and will review the best models for balancing wilderness and wildlands conservation with human needs. The 8th WWC will include delegates from around the world, and the models, projects, data and analyses presented will be global in scope. This Congress will also have a special focus on the wilderness, wildlands, and marine resources of Alaska, Siberia, Canada, and the North Pacific, and will mark the first time that WWC events are held in Russia.For more information please visit http://www.8wwc.org/
• October 19 - Washington Toxics Coalition’s Auction for Action - Washington Toxics Coalition cordially invites you to their fifth Annual Auction for Action Celebration and Dinner on Wednesday, October 19, 2005. Please join them in celebrating their recent victories and 24 years of protecting public health and the environment! The festivities will be held at the Shilshole Bay Beach Club. For more information about the Auction for Action or to RSVP, please visit the Washington Toxics Coalition website: www.watoxics.org. They also have volunteer opportunities available the evening of the auction. For more information about volunteering for this event, please contact klogsdon@watoxics.org.

Posted in the September 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

Upcoming Events & Volunteer Opportunities

• August 3 & 27 - Kayak and Canoe Volunteers Needed in Grays Harbor � Join Washington Water Trails Association to help conduct invasive plant surveys on the Grays Harbor Elk River and Chehalis Rivers. Map locations of Japanese Knot Weed and Spartina on the Elk River on August 3 with the state’s Department of Natural Resources. On the Chehalis Surge Plain slough area, a unique tidal wetlands/swamp area between Montesano and Cosmopolis, it�s mapping Purple Loosestrife and Japanese Knotweed. Contact Ken Guza at 360.754.7371 or email dianaken@olywa.net for more information or to sign up.
• August 6 � Island County Spartina Dig Day � 10:00 AM � 3:00 PM at Oak Harbor Beach � People for Puget Sound needs volunteers! Spend a rewarding day on the beautiful shoreline of Island County digging up Spartina and removing it from an important shorebird habitat area. Snacks, drinks, and tools are provided - bring a friend and have some restoration fun! For more information, please contact Britta Eschete at beschete@pugetsound.org or call (360) 336-1931.
• August 8 - 2005 Urban Sustainability Forum - LEED for Neighborhood Development - 5:30-7:00 PM - Seattle Central Library Auditorium � Hosted by Doug Farr, Principal, Farr Associates and Co-chair, LEED for Neighborhood Development. What is LEED for Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND)? This is a standard being developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, the Smart Growth Coalition and the Congress for New Urbanism� a standard that could be applied to the redevelopment of neighborhoods in Seattle. Doug will introduce the standard, discuss the goals identified for creating sustainable communities, and illustrate how the goals can be achieved with case studies. Sponsored by the City of Seattle, ULI Seattle, BetterBricks and the Seattle Public Library, this event is hosted free of charge, open to the public, and seating is on a first-come basis. No RSVP is required. View the complete forum flyer or read about individual events and guest speakers at www.seattle.gov/dpd/Sustainable_Building/COS_004334.asp.
• August 13 - Hitt’s Hill Restoration Site Stewardship - 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM - Join EarthCorps, Seattle Department of Parks, and Recreation, Seattle Works, United Way of King County and the Friends of Hitt�s Hill as they continue to restore one of Seattle�s newest open spaces located in Rainier Valley. Fall work parties will consist mostly of planting native trees, shrubs and ground cover as well as the removal of non-native plant species. For more information about this event, please contact Chris LaPointe at 206-793-8030 or email chris@earthcorps.org.
• August 20 - Golden Gardens Restoration Work Party - 10:00 PM - 2:00 PM - Join EarthCorps and the City of Seattle Parks and Recreation Department as they work to restore Golden Gardens Park. Located in Ballard on Puget Sound, this popular park offers extraordinary views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. The projects build on the successful work done by Earth Share�s Day in the Park volunteer on June 11. For more information or to signup for this event, please contact Jammie Stauffer at (206) 793-8844, ext. 204 or email jammie@earthcorps.org
• August 20 - Elwha River Restoration and Exotic Removal Project � 9:30 AM � 4:00 PM at the Olympic National Park Visitor Center - With the removal of two dams within Olympic National Park slated for 2008 (see article on page 1), the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) has at least three years of work ahead of them. NPCA is coordinating an exotic plant removal campaign along the banks of the Elwha River throughout the summer months and is organizing volunteer parties to grub out invasives near the Glines Canyon Dam. For more information contact Josh Walter at 206-903-1444 �25 or email jwalter@npca.org.

Posted in the August 2005 Earth Page

Earth Share's Day in the Park

Presented by IKEA

June 11, 2005 � Earth Share�s Day in the Park 2005 � At Golden Gardens Park in Seattle - Day in the Park invites volunteers to team up with leading non-profit conservation organizations and community groups for an honest day’s work enhancing a local park. Volunteers remove invasive plant species, plant trees & native vegetation, clean up beaches, and rebuild trails. Volunteer teams, under the guidance of Seattle Parks personnel and Earth Share of Washington crew leaders, learn the values of teamwork and stewardship while having fun. It�s an opportunity for everyone to feel good about helping the Earth and giving back to your community parks. To learn more about the event or to signup, please visit http://www.dayinthepark.org

Bring your friends, bring your coworkers, or recruit a volunteer team from your community! A celebration afterwards features fun activities for kids and families, live music, free food, prizes, and giveaways for every volunteer.

Signup today at dayinthepark.org
http://www.dayinthepark.org

Posted in the June 2005 Earth Page

Earth Month � Volunteer Opportunities

• All month long - Hiking Trail Restoration � Earth Share organizations Washington Trails Association and Volunteers for Outdoor Washington will be hosting more than 40 hiking trail restoration events throughout April in locations around Washington. Activities range from weeklong wilderness adventures in the North Cascades to Saturday restoration projects in Seattle City Parks. Please visit their websites for more information about specific events � www.wta.org & www.trailvolunteers.org.
• April 2 � Bear Creek Restoration and tree planting � Redmond � 9:00AM to 12:00PM - Celebrate Earth Day by planting native trees and scrubs in restoration site along Bear Creek! The City of Redmond has joined forces with the non-profit group Watertenders to celebrate Earth Day. For more information, contact Peter Holte at 425-556-2822 or pholte@redmond.gov.
• April 3, 9, 16, & 22 � EarthCorps Earth Month Restoration Events � EarthCorps is one of the most active restoration organizations in Puget Sound � bringing together international volunteers and community organizations to restore local parks. EarthCorps will host volunteer events at Interlaken Park in Seattle on April 3, Licton Springs Park in Seattle on April 9, Hitt�s Hill and Seward Park in Seattle on April 16, and at their yearly Earth Day restoration and celebration at Seward Park on April 22. For more information, please visit the Earth Share volunteer website � www.esw.org/help/ or contact Chris LaPointe at 206-793-8030 or email chris@earthcorps.org.
• April 16 - Swinomish Earth Enhancement Celebration - 9:00AM - 4:00PM - Swinomish Reservation, La Conner - Volunteers will be participating in service projects in the morning, and enjoy a traditional salmon lunch prepared by members of the Swinomish Tribe. If you are a member of a service, church, or school group that would like to participate please let them know. Groups and individuals please RSVP to People for Puget Sound�s Britta Eschete at 360-336-1931 or email beschete@pugetsound.org.
• April 16 - Earth Day Restoration Event at Mud Bay in Olympia - 10:00AM - Olympia - People for Puget Sound volunteers will be meeting at the Blue Heron Bakery, moving on to an exciting new shoreline restoration project, and maintaining a successful older restoration project. For more information contact Jim Dawson 360-754-9177 or email jdawson@pugetsound.org.
• April 23-24 � Washington Coast Cleanup - Volunteers are needed for the Sixth Annual clean-up of Washington Coast Beaches. During the April 23, 2005 weekend. More information online at www.olympiccoastcleanup.us or you may call project coordinator Jan Klippert at 206-364-2689.
• April 23 - Earth Day Restoration Event at Herring’s House on the Duwamish - 10:00AM - Herring�s House Restoration Site, Seattle - Together we can maintain one of the most beautiful restoration projects on the Duwamish River. Thousands of fish and an array of birds are using the area that is threatened by invasive plant species. Help save the biodiversity of this great area! Special appearances by musicians, kayak guides and elected officials. People for Puget Sound will provide lunch, water and tools. You should bring your boots, gloves and perhaps a supplemental snack. For more information contact Jennifer Aunan 206-367-7007 or email jaunan@pugetsound.org.
• April 23 � Earth Day Service Project with Student Conservation Association � 9:00AM � 2:00PM - Join the Student Conservation Assocaition (SCA) at the Washington Park Arboretum (Seattle) for an Earth Day service project on Saturday, April 23rd from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. After a morning rally, teenagers with SCA�s Conservation Leadership Corps will be leading groups of volunteers in an effort to restore and maintain the Arboretum. Everyone is invited to come lend a hand and help build trail and pull out invasive species! Tools, snacks and beverages will be provided, but please wear boots and long sleeves and bring a lunch. The site is very large and there�s much to be done, so invite all your friends and family. For more information, please contact Yemaya Maurer at 324-4649 ext.22 or email her at ymaurer@thesca.org
• April 24 � Earth Day Restoration Event at Hamm Creek on the Duwamish - 10:00AM - Hamm Creek Restoration Site, Seattle - Please help restore Hamm Creek, a habitat jewel along the Duwamish that is home to a diverse number of birds and salmon. People for Puget Sound volunteers will be removing invasive plants that threaten our newly established natives. The day will be packed with hard-working fun! Don�t forget your work boots and gloves. They�ll take care of the tools, lunch and water supply. For more information contact Jennifer Aunan 206-367-7007 or email jaunan@pugetsound.org.
• April 30 � Annual Lake Union Sweep - Volunteers and boats needed for the annual clean-up of Lake Union. This event combines the resources of over thirty organizations, businesses and government agencies. Volunteers and boats will gather at South Lake Union Park in Seattle. A limited number of kayaks will be available for volunteers without boats. If you would like to volunteer, please call Pollution Prevention Director, Chris Wilke at the PSA offices 206-297-7002.

Posted in the April 2005 Earth Page

SAVE THE DATE - Earth Share's Day in the Park

Presented by IKEA

June 11, 2005 � Earth Share�s Day in the Park 2005 � At Golden Gardens Park in Seattle - Day in the Park invites volunteers to team up with leading non-profit conservation organizations and community groups for an honest day’s work enhancing a local park. Volunteers remove invasive plant species, plant trees & native vegetation, clean up beaches, and rebuild trails. Volunteer teams, under the guidance of Seattle Parks personnel and Earth Share of Washington crew leaders, learn the values of teamwork and stewardship while having fun. It�s an opportunity for everyone to feel good about helping the Earth and giving back to your community parks. To learn more about the event or to signup, please visit http://www.dayinthepark.org

Bring your friends, bring your coworkers, or recruit a volunteer team from your community! A celebration afterwards features fun activities for kids and families, live music, free food, prizes, and giveaways for every volunteer.

Signup today at dayinthepark.org
http://www.dayinthepark.org

Posted in the April 2005 Earth Page

Volunteering For Wildlife

- by Lauren Glickman, from ESW organization PAWS Wildlife Center

Spring is right around the corner and that means we are gearing up here at the PAWS Wildlife Center. We will soon be receiving hundreds of orphaned and injured wildlife a week. How do we handle this? With a lot of volunteer help.

Volunteering at a wild animal hospital is a unique experience. It’s not for the faint of heart, the weak, or the squeamish. The PAWS Wildlife Center offers a unique opportunity to care for sick, injured or orphaned wild animals with the goal of rehabilitating them and releasing them back to the wild. Why do they do it? They do it to learn about wild animals and to ensure that the injured and orphaned animals that arrive at the facility will be well cared for.

These volunteers work closely with 11 professional staff members to do a wide variety of tasks - some glamorous and some not so glamorous. Laundry and dishes must be done. Infant and young animals are fed throughout daylight hours and solid foods are made for adult and juvenile animals that are eating on their own. Besides caring directly for these wild creatures, volunteers have a unique opportunity to educate community members about coexisting peacefully with wildlife.

There are a variety of positions available. Bird Nursery Caretakers focus on feeding and cleaning the orphaned songbirds we receive while Wildlife Care Assistants do a wide variety of tasks with a wide variety of species. Transport Team Members bring wild animals from Seattle Animal Control to PAWS Wildlife Department. Some volunteers are eligible to participate in the Advanced Skills Workshop after volunteering consistently for six to nine months. This advanced training includes handling large raptors and adult rodents, giving subcutaneous and intramuscular injections to mammals and birds and tube feeding a variety of animals.

The species treated at the PAWS Wildlife Center range from the tiniest hummingbird to the regal bald eagle: from a baby chipmunk to a black bear cub. Many of them are here because they have come into contact with humans. Among other reasons they have been hit by a vehicle, attacked by a cat or dog, been a victim of cruelty or hit a window. It isn’t always pretty. Many of these animals are in pain and this can be a difficult thing to face. It is the strength and compassion of the volunteers who are so willing to get dirty that make this healing work possible. It absolutely couldn’t get done without volunteers.

Does this sound like something that would be a good fit for you? Go to http://www.paws.org/help.vol/ to find out more and fill out a volunteer application. All training is provided and the only requirement is a once-a-week commitment for three or four months depending on the position.

Posted in the March 2005 Earth Page

Upcoming Events

• June 12 - Earth Share of Washington's Day in the Park, presented by IKEA - 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM - 1000 volunteers, supporting 65 environmental organizations, restoring local parks.
  
  WHAT: Day in the Park invites people from Puget Sound area organizations to team up with leading non-profit conservation organizations for an honest day's work enhancing local parks. Volunteers remove invasive plant species, clean up beaches, and rebuild trails. It's an opportunity for everyone to feel good about helping the Earth, and giving back to your community parks.
  
  WHERE: Golden Gardens & Discovery Park with a celebration afterwards at Golden Gardens.
  
  WHY VOLUNTEER? Featuring live music from Ian McFeron, the grand opening of the newly remodeled Golden Garden Bathhouse, free foods, prizes, and a chance to win a $500 gift certificate from IKEA.
  
  Signup today at www.dayinthepark.org
• June - All month - Volunteers needed at Olympic & Mt. Rainier National Parks - Educate park visitors about the national park system, and the need to save critical funding to support these two Northwest parks. National Parks Conservation Association will mobilize thousands of park visitors & register voters by tabling at Olympic & Rainier with volunteers every weekend this summer. Contact Holly at NPCA for more info & to sign up: hunger@npca.org (206) 903-1444 x22.
• June 10 - Make your neighborhood more livable community forum - from 6:00 - 7:30PM at the New Holly Community Center on 7054 - 32nd Ave. South, Seattle. Find out how you can take action in creating a livable neighborhood in your community. Safe walkways and crosswalks, open spaces, traffic calming techniques, street trees, and community gathering areas all help make a neighborhood livable and enjoyable. For more information or to signup, please contact Jeeseca Brand at jesseca@1000friends.org.
• June 15 - Free Clean Boating Seminar - from 7:00 -9:00PM at the Mountaineers Club, 300 Third Ave West Seattle, WA, 98119, Northwest boaters will be able to get answers and insight clean boating practices. Free Clean Boating Kits will be supplied to attendees at no charge courtesy of Puget Soundkeeper Alliance. Please register in advance by calling PSA at 206-297-7002.
• June 19 & 20 - Outreach Assitants Needed at Fremont Fair - Staff an information booth for Washington Toxics Coalition and educate the public on the hazards of toxic chemicals such as toxic flame retardants and pesticides and what they can do to eliminate them from our environment. If you are interested in providing this much needed service, contact Kristina at 206-632-1545 ext 20 email klogsdon@watoxics.org.

Posted in the June 2004 Earth Page