Earth Share of Washington

Volunteer Opportunities

Ongoing

Audubon Washington
Audubon needs people for Mailing Parties, Conservation Callers Brigade and Administrative Assistance.  Volunteer Night! Tuesdays from 3-5pm. Click here to learn more

Washington Trails Association - Trail Work
This month WTA hosts more than 20 trail work parties. To find a work party in your neck of the woods, visit the WTA website and signup today!

Futurewise
Futurewise is searching for volunteers to help with office work, MS Access, taking photos, and legal assistance.  If you can help contact them via their website

People for Puget Sound - Shoreline Restoration
Join People for Puget Sound in shoreline restoration events throughout the month all along the sound. Get muddy, make friends, do good. Click here for a schedule

Volunteer with Sightline
Information about volunteering with Sightline, plus descriptions of current volunteer projects is located here

May 3

Lincoln Park volunteer work party - EarthCorps
10am - 2pm. Join EarthCorps, MudUp and the Green Seattle Partnership as they work to make Lincoln Park healthy! Contact Chris LaPointe at (206) 322-9296, ext. 217 or email chris@earthcorps.org.

May 7

Easy Current News Mailing Party - Washington Water Trails Association
Pizza, drinks, new friends, fun, and collating, folding and putting mailing labels on the Spring edition of Easy Current News. Contact volunteer@wwta.org or call 206.545.9161

May 10

Licton Springs Work Party - EarthCorps
10am-2pm. Join EarthCorps, Friends of Licton Springs, Global Visionaries and Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation in an effort to restore this amazing north Seattle Park. Contact Chris LaPointe at (206) 322-9296, ext. 217 or email chris@earthcorps.org.

6th Annual Lake Union Sweep - Puget Soundkeeper Alliance
Please join PSA in cleaning up Lake Union and surrounding shorelines. Contact: (206)297-7002 or email volunteer@pugetsoundkeeper.org.
 
Ravenna Park Restoration Work Party- Earth Corps
10am-2pm. Join EarthCorps and the Green Seattle Partnership and Seattle Parks and Recreation as they work to keep the Park healthy! Contact Chris LaPointe at (206) 322-9296, ext. 217 or email chris@earthcorps.org.

Clover Creek Restoration- Cascade Land Conservancy
10am-1pm. Volunteers will participate in an on-going restoration project to improve stream-side habitat. Contact stacyc@cascadeland.org.

May 17

West Duwamish Greenbelt - EarthCorps
10am-2pm. Join EarthCorps, the Green Seattle Partnership and the Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation to restore the largest contiguous greenbelt in Seattle. Contact Chris LaPointe at (206) 322-9296, ext. 217 or email chris@earthcorps.org

May 29

Work Party - Bicycle Alliance of Washington
1pm-8pm. The easiest way to get involved is to go to their monthly volunteer work party. Click here for more info

May 31

SE 53rd Open Space Work Party - EarthCorps
Saturday, May 31, 2008. 10:00am - 2:00pm. Join EarthCorps, Mercer Island Parks and Recreation and community members for urban forest restoration. Contact Lina Anne Rose at (206) 322-9296, ext. 225 or email lina@earthcorps.org

Posted in the May 2008 Earth Page

Earth Share of Washington News & Notes - October 2007

At a time of renewed public interest in our environment - nearly three-quarters of Americans (73%) consider global warming a threat to human life on earth, according to an August, 2007 Newsweek poll – this is an ideal time to support Earth Share of Washington through the workplace.

As you probably know, we are best known for helping build effective employee giving programs at government and corporate workplaces throughout the state. We expect to participate in more than 100 events this fall promoting our member organizations and their work. This year, Washington Mutual selected Earth Share as one of its featured charities in its giving program, and we’re thrilled that thousands of WaMu employees will learn more about outstanding conservation activities in their communities and around the planet.

It may surprise you to know our "administrative percentage" – the dollars we spend for management and fundraising vs. our revenue – is 3.1%, one of the lowest in the industry. We take pride in our efficiency. If your workplace conducts a giving program, please consider supporting Earth Share of Washington.

William Borden
Executive Director

Posted in the October 2007 Earth Page

A Record Year for Earth Share's Day in the Park

What began many years ago with a handful of volunteers at Luther Burbank Park on Mercer Island, Day in the Park 2007 hosted over five hundred volunteers working together at a record eight locations in the greater Seattle area.

Park restoration projects included a beach & dune clean up at Golden Gardens in Seattle, construction of a new hiking trail at Grand Ridge in Sammamish, and the ongoing battle to remove invasive plants like English Ivy & blackberry bushes at almost all of the parks. Volunteers accomplished in one day what would take weeks for the parks staff. "At Seward Park, we have very small staff and many ongoing [restoration] projects," said Seattle Parks Naturalist Christina Gallegos. "We rely on volunteer groups from Earth Share of Washington ... to care for the park."

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 local parks.

"Earth Share of Washington is one of the only organizations bringing together businesses, community groups, and conservation organizations under its umbrella," remarks Earth Share of Washington Program Director David Manelski. "Inspiring people to volunteer at local parks is part of our mission… to support livable communities and a healthy planet."

Specific accomplishments and event photos from Day in the Park 2007 will soon be posted on the official website – www.dayinthepark.org.

Earth Share's Day in the Park is made possible by generous support from IKEA, the principal sponsor of the event for the past four years.

Posted in the October 2007 Earth Page

Earth Share's Day in the Park - September 29, 2007

Day in the Park is presented by IKEA

When: Saturday, September 29, 2007, 9:30am – 1:30pm

Where: 8 park locations around the greater Seattle Area

• Carkeek Park, Seattle
• Frink Park, Seattle
• Golden Gardens, Seattle
• Grand Ridge Trail, Sammamish
• PAWS Wildlife Center, Lynnwood
• Richmond Beach Strandberg Preserve, Shoreline
• Seahurst Park, Burien
• Seward Park, Seattle

What:
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 local parks. Volunteers remove invasive plant species, plant trees & native vegetation, clean up beaches, and rebuild trails. Under the guidance of parks personnel and Earth Share of Washington crew leaders, hundreds of volunteers join together to the values of teamwork and stewardship while having fun and giving back to the community.

Learn more, then register at http://dayinthepark.org/

See you at Day in the Park!

INVITE YOUR FRIENDS: We will send a personalized invitation to your friends, family and/or coworkers on your behalf, inviting them to Day in the Park to join your volunteer team -- http://www.dayinthepark.org/tell_more.html

Posted in the September 2007 Earth Page

Earth Share's Day in the Park

Day in the Park is presented by IKEA

When: Saturday, September 29, 2007, 9:30am – 1:30pm

Where: 8 park locations around the greater Seattle Area

• Carkeek Park, Seattle
• Frink Park, Seattle
• Golden Gardens, Seattle
• Grand Ridge Trail, Sammamish
• PAWS Wildlife Center, Lynnwood
• Richmond Beach Strandberg Preserve, Shoreline
• Seahurst Park, Burien
• Seward Park, Seattle

What:
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 local parks. Volunteers remove invasive plant species, plant trees & native vegetation, clean up beaches, and rebuild trails. Under the guidance of parks personnel and Earth Share of Washington crew leaders, hundreds of volunteers join together to the values of teamwork and stewardship while having fun and giving back to the community.

Learn more, then register at http://dayinthepark.org/

See you at Day in the Park!

INVITE YOUR FRIENDS: We will send a personalized invitation to your friends, family and/or coworkers on your behalf, inviting them to Day in the Park to join your volunteer team -- http://www.dayinthepark.org/tell_more.html

Posted in the August 2007 Earth Page

Earth Share's 20th Anniversary feature - Puget Soundkeeper Alliance

To celebrate Earth Share of Washington's 20th Anniversary (1987-2007), we plan to showcase the work of our organizations over the past two decades. Each month, we'll feature a different Earth Share organization, their contributions to making our communities more vibrant & livable, and their efforts to create a cleaner Washington and a healthy planet. In 1987, Puget Sound Alliance (later to become Puget Soundkeeper Alliance) joined a growing coalition of environmental organizations, known at the time as the Environmental Fund of Washington and later to become Earth Share. Puget Soundkeeper Alliance was one of the founding 10 organizations in this young and growing coalition.

Puget Soundkeeper Alliance (PSA) was founded in 1984 to protect and preserve Puget Sound by tracking down and stopping the discharge of toxic pollutants into its waters. PSA is the only organization that actively monitors and patrols the waters of Puget Sound to detect and document sources of illegal pollution. While this is not their only approach to conservation efforts in the Sound, it is one of their greatest strengths. PSA is part of the Waterkeeper Alliance founded by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the fastest growing environmental movement in the world. These keepers act as stewards for their rivers, lakes, bays, sound, or coast.

Pollution prevention is ultimately cheaper and better for the environment than superfund cleanups. Their short-term goal is to turn off pollution one pipe at a time by taking legal action against permit violators, reviewing pollutant discharge permits, monitoring on the water, expanding their coverage of Puget Sound, reporting and responding to incidents of pollution, and educating and empowering businesses and citizens to get involved in protecting Puget Sound.

Over the past two decades, PSA is proud to have an ongoing track record of success:

1. LEADING THE REGION'S EFFORTS TO ADDRESS STORM WATER POLLUTION - Just since 2002, PSA has successfully reduced storm water pollution from over 2,000 industrial facilities and construction sites. Despite being a primary source of Puget Sound water quality degradation, storm water pollution had historically been largely unregulated, and so PSA has taken the leadership role – by rigorous permit review, monitoring enforcement, and building strong local coalitions - in bringing it under control.
2. EDUCATING AREA RESIDENTS ON WAYS TO PROTECT & PRESERVE PUGET SOUND - Better than addressing pollution after it happens is to educate people on ways to reduce the pollution that finds its ways into the Sound. The following are some of their actions and results over the past two decades:
   • Distributed 50,000 Clean Boating Guides
   • Conducted 2 Lake Union Clean Ups
   • Distributed 2,000 watershed pledge booklets.
   • Partnered with Marine Business Coalition to conduct 10 Ship Canal Clean Ups (Fremont Bridge to the Locks) collecting 12-18 dumpsters of garbage/year
   • Distributed over 5,000 oil absorbs capable of cleaning up 500 gallons of oil each.
   • Worked with King County to create and build EnviroStars, a program with over 500 member businesses demonstrating practices friendly to Puget Sound water quality
3. ENFORCING THE CLEAN WATER ACT - Just over the past 5 years, PSA has filed 40 legal actions to protect Puget Sound water quality; 25 of these actions were citizen suits under the Clean Water Act and 5 were administrative appeals of industrial or storm water permits.
   
   PSA supports its enforcement activities through regular on-the-water patrols on both the Soundkeeper vessel and kayaks in the central Sound. PSA staff and volunteers patrol 6 times a month during the spring, summer and fall and 4 times a month in the winter. Permit violations are observed, documented and reported on approximately 30% of the patrols. PSA conducts pollution detection trainings 2-4 times a year. In addition, PSA has received over 400 calls on its Pollution Hotline number since its inception. The hotline database is used during the review of draft permits to evaluate ongoing compliance and the need for more BMPs or monitoring requirements. Between the North Sound and Commencement Baykeepers and PSA, most major NPDES permits have been reviewed for compliance with the Clean Water Act since 1999.
4. DISPENSING CLEAN WATER ACT MITIGATION FUNDS TO WORTHWHILE PROJECTS - Successful litigation against Clean Water Act violators delivers not only future compliance, but often “mitigation” funds as well… funds the violator makes available for productive Puget Sound water quality initiatives. Through their successful legal efforts, Puget Soundkeeper Alliance has generated $317,000 in mitigation project funding, benefiting 19 organizations, agencies or municipalities.

Their four program initiatives – monitoring, engagement, enforcement and partnerships – are sharply focused and action-based to address the Washington State Department of Ecology’s number one identified water quality issue facing Puget Sound – polluted stormwater runoff. Stormwater enters the Sound directly through storm drains after rain washes off streets, lawns, industrial facilities and construction sites.

On-the-water monitoring is essential to an effective Keeper program. No other environmental organization or government agency actively monitors and patrols the waters of Puget Sound to detect and document sources of illegal pollution. The Soundkeeper then works directly with the source responsible for the discharge, collaborates with government agencies to resolve the problem, or in ongoing and egregious cases (at times, when our government agencies fail to act), takes citizen enforcement action to stop the pollution at its source. Their citizen lawsuit scorecard against Puget Sound polluters is perfect – over 40 wins and no losses. The visible presence of the Soundkeeper boat out on the water also serves as a deterrent to potential polluters. The goal of the organization is simple: to prevent pollution. Clean water will bring Puget Sound back to life – both above and below the waterline.

For more information, please visit the Puget Soundkeeper Alliance website at www.pugetsoundkeeper.org

Posted in the August 2007 Earth Page

Earth Share's 20th Anniversary Feature - Washington Trails Association

To celebrate Earth Share of Washington’s 20th Anniversary (1987-2007), we are showcasing the work of our organizations over the past two decades. Each month, we’ll feature a different Earth Share organization, their contributions to making our communities more vibrant & livable, and their efforts to create a cleaner Washington and a healthier planet. In 1987, Washington Trails Association joined a growing coalition of environmental organizations, known at the time as the Environmental Fund of Washington and later to become Earth Share. WTA was one of the founding 10 organizations in this young and growing coalition.

Washington Trails Association (WTA) is the voice for hikers in Washington state. WTA protects hiking trails and wildlands, takes volunteers out to maintain our trails, and promotes hiking as a fun and healthy way for people to explore the outdoors.

WTA first began with Signpost, a grassroots magazine started in 1966 by guidebook author Louise Marshall as a way for trail lovers in the Northwest to share their backcountry adventures and trail conditions. It soon became much more than a magazine, and under Louise’s leadership it evolved into Washington Trails Association, a community of hikers speaking out for trails and wildlands. The late hiking guidebook author Ira Spring was also an instrumental force in the creation of WTA, serving on its Board of Directors from 1982 until his passing in 2003.

WTA still publishes a magazine for hikers, now under the name Washington Trails. And the trip reports hikers shared with each other in Signpost are still one of the most-used hiker resources out there--the trip reports section of WTA’s website. In fact, WTA’s dynamic website launched in 1995 and was an early model, long before the days of Wikipedia, of how website users can contribute and share content through its photo gallery, trips reports, and online trail guide. The website has continued this legacy in recent years through the launch of the Signpost blog (named as a tribute to the earlier magazine) and online storm damage map and database.

Over the past two decades, WTA has been at the forefront of trail issues in our state, continuing to build on its legacy of advocacy and stewardship for hiking trails and wildlands. One of WTA’s most successful accomplishments began as a modest idea of WTA’s former executive director, Greg Ball. He envisioned connecting hikers directly with the stewardship of the trails they traveled on. In the early 1990s, as trail budgets began to wane, a backlog of trail maintenance repairs piled up. WTA responded by creating its volunteer trail maintenance program. Although it had humble beginnings, the program grew quickly. That first year, in 1993, volunteers completed 250 hours of trail work on National Parks and Forest trails; in 2006 volunteers logged 75,000 hours. It’s now the largest program of its kind in the nation.

Hiking trails and wildlands in Washington state have benefited tremendously from the sharp increase in volunteer stewardship and trail maintenance on our public lands, especially in light of diminishing trail budgets. “Without the WTA trail volunteers, we would barely be able to keep a lot of trails open," said Gary Paull, wilderness and trails coordinator for the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Over the past decade, WTA has added week-long Volunteer Vacations to its program, youth trail maintenance for high school students, and expanded regionally to host trail maintenance work parties throughout the Cascades and Olympics.

Speaking out for hiking trails has always been a key component of WTA’s core mission. WTA weighs in on a variety of issues that impact hikers, from trail funding to wilderness protection to forest planning. In the late-1990s WTA mobilized a large-scale lobbying effort to reform a state trail-funding program that was unfair to hikers. Each year, hundreds of thousands of people explore Washington's parks and forests by hiking, backpacking, sightseeing, mountain biking, and using stock like horses and llamas. They contribute millions of dollars annually through a gas tax to the state NOVA (Non-Highway and Off Road Vehicle Activities) program, but received only a small percentage of the benefit in grants to maintain hiking trails. Recognizing the disparity of the NOVA program allocations, WTA and other representatives from all recreational trail users came together and developed a consensus solution that reallocates NOVA funds to more fairly benefit the trail users that pay into the NOVA program. After many years of strategic advocacy in this effort, a bill to enact this solution was passed by the state legislature and signed by the governor in 2004. As a result, NOVA funding for non-motorized recreation increased by more than $1 million each year.

It’s been fourteen years since Washington Trails Association hosted its first TrailsFest, an outdoor extravaganza packed with fun for all ages. For its first several years, the event was held indoors at Seattle Center, but WTA moved TrailsFest into the great outdoors in 2002 to the shores of Rattlesnake Lake near North Bend. Moving the event outside allowed attendees to experience many hands-on outdoor activities like hiking, rock climbing and kayaking, while still visiting with dozens of outdoor exhibitors and gear companies and attending workshops on everything from predicting mountain weather to hiking with kids. The event targets both novice and avid hikers of all ages, offering a little something for everyone who enjoys exploring outside. This year, WTA’s fourteenth TrailsFest takes place Saturday, July 21.

Our mountains and forests are big enough to provide us with a lifetime of outdoor adventure and exploration, but we need trails to get us there. Washington Trails Association plays a unique role in Washington’s environmental community, bringing enthusiasts for recreation and conservation together to protect the awesome wild places we love to explore, and to protect the opportunities for people to enjoy them.

Posted in the June 2007 Earth Page

Earth Month 2007

To celebrate Earth Day on April 22, Earth Share organizations will play host to celebrations and volunteer events throughout Washington.

April 21 & 22, Earth Share of Washington and IKEA will host an environmental fair at the IKEA store in Renton, featuring sign-up for volunteer events throughout the spring and summer, interactive educational exhibits, and fun activities for kids and families.

Go outside, get your hands dirty, and sign-up for a volunteer event in your neck of the woods! See a complete list of Earth Month activities below.

Posted in the April 2007 Earth Page

Earth Share's 20th Anniversary Feature - Washington Foundation for the Environment

To celebrate Earth Share of Washington's 20th Anniversary (1987-2007), we plan to showcase the work of our organizations over the past two decades. Each month, we'll feature a different Earth Share organization, their contributions to making our communities more vibrant & livable, and their efforts to create a cleaner Washington and a healthy planet. In 1987, Washington Foundation for the Environment joined a growing coalition of environmental organizations, known at the time as the Environmental Fund of Washington and later to become Earth Share. WFFE was one of the founding 10 organizations in this young and growing coalition.

As one of the original ten environmental nonprofit members when Earth Share of Washington was first formed, the Washington Foundation for the Environment (WFFE) lauds Earth Share as it marks its 20th anniversary. We take this time, too, to look back at our own achievements over this time, made possibly largely through the support of Earth Share and its donors, as well as our own active, volunteer board.

For more than 20 years WFFE has been identifying and supporting individuals and groups who are active on the cutting edge of environmental issues in Washington state. That support has taken many forms:

• Monetary grants between $200 and $2,000, towards small, well-focused local environmental projects, such as marine science camp scholarships and tree inventories. This grassroots grant program has been the heart and soul of WFFE for the past twenty years. One of our more recent highlights has been the establishment of a Stewardship Grants program for middle and high school students engaged in stewardship projects. As an example, in 2006, Olympia High student Luca Provenzano received a grant to spearhead a student project to remove invasive species from the campus glacial retention pond and reintroduce native species. The $500 grant was used to buy native species.
• Sponsorship of environmental education projects for students, government agencies, businesses and the general public. In the early 1990’s WFFE produced a curriculum on Washington's environmental heritage for the state's middle and high schools. "Washington's Resource Heritage: Then and Now" included an activity guide, background information, and an award winning video component. It was designed for Washington history classes, and took 7th through 9th graders through the different regions, building awareness of the resources within each, and the connections between humans and these resources, including the impacts we have on them.
• Conferences and Roundtables on crucial issues of environmental concern, such as the Public Trust Doctrine and salmon recovery strategies. One of the most successful conferences was held in 1993. Called "Risk: Creating Conflict or Building Consensus," the conference focused on risk-based decision making. Attendees examined the scientific methods underlying risk estimates and shared perspectives on the value of using risk as a guide for making policy choices. WFFE pulled together people who often can be adversaries and gave them made-up problems to debate and solve where they had to work together in teams and understand each other's perspective. Presentations were also given to the full group on different aspects of risk including risk communication, risk assessments, and how they both are used in risk management and decision making.

Through such efforts WFFE plays a unique and vital role in Washington's environmental community, providing forums for the discussion of current issues and raising money to support the innovative works of others. We all recognize that there are no new frontiers on this planet. It is our mission to educate and inform, to help ensure that our environmental heritage is sustained for generations to come.

Posted in the April 2007 Earth Page

Earth Share of Washington Named One of 59 "Smartest Organizations Online"

What does Earth Share of Washington have in common with the following organizations?

• Doctors Without Borders
• The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research
• The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
• The Mayo Clinic
• The Nature Conservancy
• MoveoOn.org

They were among the "59 smartest organizations online in 2006" for setting new standards for savvy internet marketing. Earth Share of Washington's website is www.esw.org. Squidoo.com, NetSquared, and GetActive collaborated on the awards, which honored...

excellence in online storytelling and collaboration with their donors. We didn't play favorites to one cause over another, nor did we look at their fundraising goals or number of members. Instead, these organizations are winners because of their web 2.0 smarts and a willingness to engage their constituents far beyond asking them to dig into their pockets.

These are organizations that give their volunteers and members a voice and get out of the way. They're pros at mobilizing awareness online. They're experimenters. Innovators. On a mission. They're fearless.

Dave Manelski is Earth Share of Washington's (ESW's) Program Director and developed its website. "Our website is the public face of our organization. Beyond our workplace giving programs, most people first discover Earth Share through the web, linking concerned citizens to environmental news and upcoming volunteer opportunities & events throughout the region. The web is a powerful tool for connecting people to organizations in their communities. Earth Share relishes this role of connector and we are honored to be held in such prestigious company." The complete awards list can be found at http://www.59smartestorgs.com/.

Earth Share of Washington represents more than 60 non-profits whose work creates more livable communities and a healthy planet. ESW works with companies throughout Washington State, inspiring employees to support nonprofits through volunteering and donations. The organization's website, www.esw.org, contains more information.

Posted in the February 2007 Earth Page

Earth Share of Washington Celebrates 20th Anniversary

- By William Borden, Earth Share of Washington’s Executive Director

February 3 marks the 20th anniversary of the Earth Share of Washington. In the mid-1980s, ten local non-profits decided to pool their resources to advance environmental philanthropy. A new opportunity had emerged – giving through the workplace – as more employees demanded greater choices for their payroll contributions. Here are the founding ten organizations:

• Friends of the Earth
• National Audubon Society, Washington Chapter
• Puget Sound Alliance (now called Puget Soundkeeper Alliance)
• Sierra Club Legal Defense Club
• Washington Citizens for Recycling (now called Washington Citizens for Resource Conservation)
• Washington Environmental Council
• Washington Foundation for the Environment
• Washington Toxics Coalition
• Washington Trails Association
• Washington Wilderness Coalition

As support for the environment continued to grow, so did Earth Share of Washington. Today we represent 65 organizations that address a broad array of issues. Over these 20 years we’ve formed lasting, rewarding relationships with businesses and those who work there. Government employees, teachers, lawyers, software designers, aircraft mechanics, bankers, accountants, sheriff's officers, bus drivers – regardless of occupation, people care about healthy communities and a healthy planet.

Also in those 20 years we've developed some expertise to share with workplace leaders. We help build their payroll contribution programs "campaigns", providing campaign best practices, education on environmentally friendly work practices, volunteer opportunities, etc. Now, businesses proudly tell us they have designed new LEED certified offices (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), or they request a presenter from our speaker's bureau for Earth Day. As clean energy, green building and environmental conservation go mainstream, Earth Share of Washington is on the front line, connecting businesses and donors with the most efficient and trusted organizations.

Throughout this anniversary year, we'll share some highlights from our organizations (see the following article from Volunteers for Outdoor Washington). As always, we welcome comments and feedback from Earth Page readers (info@esw.org). Just as we’ve evolved, we're interested in hearing how your views on the environment have evolved since 1987. Thank you for being a part of this history!

Posted in the January 2007 Earth Page

Earth Share's Day in the Park Restores Community Parks

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

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

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

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

Posted in the August 2006 Earth Page

Give Back to Your Community at Earth Share's Day in the Park 2006

Bob Baines, Seattle Parks Senior Gardener, commented, "Earth Share's Day in the Park 2005 was the most productive volunteer work project I've ever been a part of."

Bob just witnessed hundreds of volunteers yanking weeds, tearing English ivy from trees, and cleaning junk from trails and beaches. Their work just saved the Seattle Parks & Recreation – and taxpayers - tens of thousands of dollars.

Day in the Park 2006 will take place at five locations in July 29, 2006. The event is presented by Earth Share of Washington and sponsored by IKEA.

The Olmstead brothers, architects of the Seattle Parks system in the early 1900's, visualized a green space stretching from Seward Park to Discovery Park and north to Golden Gardens, with tree-lined boulevards, ball fields & tennis courts, nature trails & picnic areas, neighborhood oases for residents to gather, recreate and rejuvenate. The Olmstead plan defines the very character of Seattle, distinguished by landmarks such as the Washington Park Arboretum and Green Lake, and dozens of neighborhood parks, small and large.

Regrettably, non-native plants such as English ivy have invaded these parks; in some places their aggressiveness has created "ivy deserts" where nothing else grows. As Seattle's burgeoning population seeks places to recreate, relax, and reconnect with nature, some popular parks face being "loved to death." Thus Earth Share of Washington organizes leading conservation groups each year to address these problems head-on.

This year, Day in the Park grows to five area locations: Seahurst Park (Burien), Beaver Lake Preserve (Sammamish), Golden Gardens and Carkeek Parks (Seattle), and PAWS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Lynnwood. Says Dave Manelski, Day in the Park’s coordinator, "Day in the Park now offers several golden opportunities to restore our community assets."

Golden is an apt word, as Manelski points out the work of last year’s Day in the Park at Golden Gardens in Seattle: 750 volunteers removed one ton of invasive English ivy that had overtaken the park's shrubs and trees. With ongoing help from Earth Share organizations, the forests of Golden Gardens Park, once choked with non-native plants, breathe freely once more.

Families, corporate work teams, church organizations, civic clubs, and everyone else are invited to participate in this year's Day in the Park. To learn more, please visit www.dayinthepark.org or call 206-622-9840. Find out information about conservation and other environmental topics at the Earth Share website, www.esw.org.

John Charles Olmstead summed it up best when he said "I do not know of any place where the natural advantages for parks are better than here. They can be made very attractive and will be, in time, one of the things that will make Seattle known all over the world." On Saturday, July 29, Day in the Park welcomes families and kids of all ages to return the many gifts we’ve received from our treasured parks.

Posted in the July 2006 Earth Page

Green Business - Corporate Initiatives In Focus - IKEA

Anders Berglund is the co-owner of IKEA Seattle, the popular Swedish-based home furnishing retailer. Earth Share of Washington (ESW) recently interviewed Mr. Berglund regarding IKEA's leadership in the areas of sustainable design, resource conservation, & forestry, and IKEA Seattle's strides to become a better corporate steward of the natural world.

IKEA is probably best known for its cutting edge home furnishings at affordable prices, featuring modern designs with a Scandinavian flair. Perhaps lesser known are IKEA's social and environmental initiatives. Their focus is on designing products that use fewer raw materials and create less waste. By working in close cooperation with their suppliers, they can monitor all aspects of a product's life, from choice of raw material through production and distribution. IKEA does not accept wood from intact natural forests or from forests with a clearly defined high conservation value. Instead, they source all wood from verified, well-managed forests that have been certified according to a forest management standard.

This spring, Earth Share of Washington linked IKEA Seattle with the NW Biodiesel Network, so that they can begin to recycle the waste cooking oil from their cafe and turn it into biodiesel, a clean and renewable vehicle fuel.

ESW: Tell us about IKEA's environmental philosophy. How did it evolve?

Anders Berglund: As a corporation, IKEA realizes the role of business is changing, that our customers, stakeholders, suppliers, and coworkers expect more from us. With these expectations comes the responsibility of taking an active role by influencing social and environmental issues wherever we are present. At IKEA we believe it is possible to make traditional business objectives and social and environmental responsibility work together-and well.

This philosophy is good for business and will contribute to long term profitability-because our customers will feel reassured that they are doing business with a company that shares their views and values.

We know that we are only in the beginning and have a long way to go before our work is a natural integrated part of our day-to-day business.

These values and philosophies have evolved over time with different events consistently heightening our awareness. From 1943 on, our goals to cut costs and become more efficient has pushed IKEA towards creating a better environment long before we, or anyone else, became actively interested in the issue.

A favorite example of this is our flat packing. It reduces cost, and minimizes the amount of transport involved, which lessens the environmental impact.

Read the entire interview on the Earth Share of Washington website:
http://www.esw.org/giving/ikea.html

Posted in the May 2006 Earth Page

Earth Share Notes - October 2005

Monthly perspectives from Earth Share of Washington staff members on activities and trends.

Lessons from a Hurricane

As these words are written, much of America�s Gulf Coast remains uninhabitable. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency�s web site currently advises, �Cleanup activities related to returning to homes and businesses after Hurricane Katrina can pose significant health and environmental challenges. People may be exposed to potentially life-threatening hazards posed by leaking natural gas lines, and carbon monoxide poisoning from using un-vented fuel-burning equipment indoors.� We�ve read much recently about immediate, intermediate, and long-term responses.

Can we actually prevent recurrences of the New Orleans flood? If we protected more marshlands in the Louisiana delta, would that have saved more lives? Will global warming contribute to more fierce storms, as climatologists predict? Most major magazines, from the New Yorker to Fortune, have devoted articles to this important topic. According to Grist.com, European countries have begun building sturdier dikes and planting warmer-weather crops.

Our staff is frequently asked, �What can one person do to reduce the greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming?� On its web site, the group Climate Solutions offers 15 ways families can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 15,000 pounds per year (see www.climatesolutions.org).

While we may agree or disagree about humans� influence over our climate, we do know this: climate change is occurring. During workplace giving season, Earth Share of Washington encourages each of us to reflect on the long-term responses to Hurricane Katrina. Closer to home, has global warming affected Washington State? How will it affect your life? Ask questions; talk to neighbors and family members; share your opinions and start a dialogue.

Regarding the Gulf Coast, we are less interested in blame and more interested in thoughtful re-building, the kind that requires imagination, foresight and restoring both human and ecological dignity.

William Borden
Executive Director

Posted in the October 2005 Earth Page

Puget Sound Energy & the Environment - An Interview with Phil Bussey

- Featured in Green Business: Corporate Initiatives In Focus at esw.org

Phil Bussey is Vice President of Regional and Public Affairs at Puget Sound Energy, a Bellevue-based energy utility. Earth Share of Washington (ESW) recently interviewed Mr. Bussey about the present status of renewable energy, its future direction, and Puget Sound Energy's role in expanding this fast-growing industry. Here is an excerpt from the interview:

ESW: Let's talk first about renewable energy. Excluding hydropower, how heavily does Puget Sound Energy (PSE) rely on renewable energy like wind, solar and biomass as a resource?

Phil Bussey: Beyond hydropower, renewable resources currently compose about 1 percent of our power-supply portfolio. I believe you'd find a fairly similar percentage at most other Northwest utilities. Puget Sound Energy's use of renewables, however, is increasing - in a very big way. In addition, we have one of the most vigorous and comprehensive energy-efficiency programs in the region.

Puget Sound Energy is Washington state's largest and oldest energy utility, serving nearly 1 million electric customers and more than 650,000 natural gas customers, primarily in the vibrant Puget Sound region.

Read the interview in its entirety on the Earth Share of Washington website:
http://www.esw.org/giving/puget_sound_energy.html

Posted in the October 2005 Earth Page

Earth Share Notes - September 2005

Monthly perspectives from Earth Share of Washington staff members on activities and trends.

Dear Reader:
The busy workplace giving season is upon us. Our staff and representatives from our organizations will spend the next several months traveling around Puget Sound, speaking at charitable campaign events.

We face a very challenging task. That is, teaching people at these corporate and government workplaces that environmental issues touch every part of people's lives from the regional economy to our health and quality of life. Demonstrating this connection motivates me to do this work, and Earth Share is uniquely poised to connect environmental organizations to workplaces, and workplaces to the community.

As you venture outdoors to enjoy the last vestiges of summer and sunshine before the winter rains encroach, consider this -- What is it that makes Washington State such a uniquely beautiful place in which to live? I believe it is the commanding presence of Puget Sound and the flowing rivers of Washington, the abundant forests and wildlife, and our livable cities and communities. Like all of our staff and the staff at our organizations, I feel charged with protecting all that makes Washington unique and beautiful.

We look forward to meeting many people on the campaign trail this fall for the first time, and to talking with those that continue to provide their support year after year.

Dave Manelski
Program Coordinator

Posted in the September 2005 Earth Page

Earth Share Notes - July 2005

Monthly perspectives from Earth Share of Washington staff members on activities and trends.

Volunteers at Earth Share's Day in the Park turned out in record numbers to restore Golden Gardens Park. On this rainy June day, more than 750 volunteers participated in volunteer restoration projects -- removing invasive plants that threaten this urban park, rebuilding hiking trails and cleaning up this popular beach destination.

As a result of the combined efforts of hundreds of volunteers and crew leaders, we accomplished the following feats at Golden Gardens:

• Removed nearly 800 lbs. of trash from the beach.
• Spread 10 tons of new sand on the beach.
• Eradicated invasive plants from the dunes, which will help foster native plant growth.
• Removed more than 1500 lbs. of ivy from the upper forest.
• Cleared huge swaths of land that were previously ivy deserts.
• Mulched bare soil in preparation for fall planting.
• Removed invasive garlic mustard from around the park.
• Protected the delicate wetland ecosystem from invasive plants.
• Resurfaced several stretches of hiking trails in the upper forest.

We could not have realized these goals without the assistance of our talented volunteers, crew leaders, and event sponsors.

If you would like to see pictures of the event, you can visit our online photo gallery at: www.dayinthepark.org

We hope to see you at the park again next year...in the sun!

Dave Manelski
Program Coordinator

Posted in the July 2005 Earth Page

Earth Share Notes: June 2005

Monthly perspectives from Earth Share of Washington staff members on activities and trends.

New Staff
Earth Share of Washington is pleased to announce the hiring of Christina Scholz as Campaign Director. Her experience at United Way of King County - both as workplace fundraiser and coordinator for United Way's Youth Connections program - allows Christina to hit the ground running. Christina succeeds Ana Garzon, who leaves us in June to continue her academic career at the University of Washington.

Christina grows vegetables, raises chickens, and purchased a diesel vehicle. In her capacity as Campaign Director, she will assist workplaces to expand their employee contribution programs. "I could not think of a better job than to educate the community and raise money for environmental organizations," she says.

Day in the Park
What sweats and laughs a lot? A Day in the Park volunteer. Saturday, June 11, you are invited to participate in Earth Share of Washington's only volunteer workday, Day in the Park. Hundreds of volunteers - friends, neighbors, co-workers, people like you - will gather to help remove invasive ivy, maintain trails, remove trash, and restore one of this region's premier parks, Golden Gardens in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood.

What's in it for you besides some fun and a workout? We'll have good food, live music by Kyle Riabko, and prizes.

Visit www.dayinthepark.org to register. We look forward to meeting you there!

William Borden
Executive Director

Posted in the June 2005 Earth Page

Earth Share Notes - May 2005

Monthly perspectives from Earth Share of Washington staff members on activities and trends.

Dear Reader:
Each April 22 the Gallup Organization releases its annual Earth Day poll, reflecting Americans' attitudes toward the environment and environmental protection.

This year's poll results include the following:

When asked if they "think the U.S. government is doing too much, too little, or about the right amount in terms of protecting the environment" a clear majority of Americans (58%) say "too little" and only a small minority (5%) say "too much." These figures represent the highest ratio of "too little" to "too much" observed since 1992, and a continuing increase in support for governmental action since a low point in March 2003 when 51% held the former view. Such results demonstrate that the vast majority of Americans do not want to see a reduction in the government's environmental protection efforts (because 92% respond that it is doing "too little" or "about the right amount").

While Americans believe the government should do more to protect the environment, we shouldn't rely on the government to take care of our house (eco-logy, the study of the house). We must insist on good government, and we should also assume the personal day-to-day responsibilities of house-tending. This may include volunteering (you'll see opportunities later in The Earth Page), donating professional services, financial support, or leading by example.

Here's a good question to ask your friends at the next party, "Are you an environmentalist?" Let us know what you hear (info@esw.org).

William Borden
Executive Director

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

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 May 2005 Earth Page

Earth Share Notes - April 2005

Monthly perspectives from Earth Share of Washington staff members on activities and trends.

Dear Reader:
April is Earth Month
Earth Share of Washington organizations will be hosting volunteer events and celebrations throughout the month of April, in honor of Earth Day - April 22. If you've been on the fence about volunteering, now is the time to get involved. Community volunteer activities include hiking trail construction, shoreline planting, parks restoration, invasive plant removal, and a coastline beach cleanup. There are hundreds of activities around Washington in April - from the North Cascades, to Eastern Washington, to your neighborhood.

These volunteer events are focused on protecting your health and quality of life in Washington by preserving clean air & water, restoring parks & recreational areas, and celebrating a healthy community. Grab your friends, family, and coworkers and find an event near you!

Need help finding a volunteer event? Contact Earth Share at eswinformation@esw.org or check out volunteer opportunities posted below or on our website - www.esw.org/help/

Dave Manelski
Program Director

Posted in the April 2005 Earth Page

Earth Share Notes - March 2005

Monthly perspectives from Earth Share of Washington staff members on activities and trends.

Dear Reader:

Special Thanks
As we receive 2004 charitable giving pledge results from workplaces across Washington, Earth Share would like to take this opportunity to thank all the individual donors, campaign coordinators and workplaces that help to make Washington a healthier and safer place to live. If you do not currently have the option to give to the environment at work through Earth Share, now is a great time to ask your Human Resources manager about adding us as a giving option. Contact Ana Garzon at agarzon@esw.org for details.

Ana Garzon
Campaign Director

Posted in the March 2005 Earth Page

Earth Share Notes - February 2005

Monthly perspectives from Earth Share of Washington staff members on activities and trends.

Dear Reader:

Earth Share is best known for helping companies to build their employee contribution programs. Our 65 leading conservation organizations attract donors from across the state, even across the nation (we receive contributions from as far away Tennessee and New York).

Preliminary reports from last fall's employee pledge programs are promising, ahead of last year. Companies such as REI and Microsoft add strength to their employees' generosity with corporate matches.

And where does this money go? To Earth Share organizations, workplace gifts offer substantial help because these gifts are unrestricted. Certainly these contributions support our members' program work, be it for purchasing lands, restoring ecosystems, or advocating environmental policy. But what happens when the copier breaks? Like our for-profit corporate partners, effective planning involves setting aside funds for long-term opportunities, while having the resources to respond to day-to-day emergencies. Earth Share member organizations, the large ones and the small, speak of the value of these discretionary dollars.

Whether you choose to support environmental organizations, international relief, health care, food banks, social services, or whatever cause moves you, thank you for making this world a better place.

William Borden
Executive Director
wborden@esw.org

Posted in the February 2005 Earth Page

Earth Share Notes - January 2005

Monthly perspectives from Earth Share of Washington staff members on activities and trends.

Dear Reader:

January is a time to reflect on the events of 2004 and, like many, establish a few New Year's resolutions for 2005. As Washingtonians purge their kitchen cabinets of chocolate treats and flock to the gyms in record numbers, the environmental community will be hard at work on its own set of New Year's resolutions.

Since 2002, 14 Washington-based conservation and public interest organizations have established the top legislative priorities for the coming year, Priorities for a Healthy Washington. These priorities espouse goals that are familiar to all Earth Share organizations - to protect our health, our children, and our quality of life. Learn more about the 2005 Legislative Priorities in this month's Earth Page, and find out how to become involved at one of the upcoming events in January or February.

Warm Wishes for the New Year,
Dave Manelski
Program Coordinator

Posted in the January 2005 Earth Page

Earth Share Notes - December 2004

Monthly perspectives from Earth Share of Washington staff members on activities and trends.

Dear Reader:

Many people feel overwhelmed, paralyzed to act, or simply too discouraged by environmental issues. It may seem impossible for one individual to make an impact on the climate, for instance. In fact, if everyone took a few steps to save energy in their home, or curb greenhouse gas emissions, we could collectively do a great deal to help fight global warming. According to K.C. Golden from Climate Solutions (featured in our CLIMATE CHANGE article, below), "People caused it, people can fix it."

The theme of this month's Earth Page is 'a few simple steps to make a difference.' Please consider taking one small step this month to be more engaged in protecting our health, our children, and our quality of life - all affected by environmental issues. Opportunities abound this month from volunteering, to making conscientious holiday shopping purchases. It might even be as simple as learning more about an issue you care about. See our website for more ideas - www.esw.org.

Never underestimate the power that one inspired individual has to lead others by example.

Happy Holidays!
Dave Manelski
Program Coordinator

Posted in the December 2004 Earth Page

Earth Share Notes - November 2004

Monthly perspectives from Earth Share of Washington staff members on activities and trends.

Dear Reader:

In 1800 Thomas Jefferson wrote this in a letter to his daughter, "Politics are such a torment that I would advise every one I love not to mix with them."

Jefferson wrote those words at a particularly difficult time in American history. So divided was our country at the beginning of the nineteenth century that two American leaders, Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton, fought a duel over their beliefs. As an apolitical organization, we do no lobbying for legislation, nor endorse candidates. There are plenty of conservation organizations that do.

As these words are written, people will visit the polls tomorrow in vast numbers. Their voting will affect the American - and global - environment, including policies governing our air and water quality, land use, transportation and energy systems.

Grab the coffee pot. I think we'll be up late tomorrow night.

William Borden
Executive Director

Posted in the November 2004 Earth Page

Earth Share Notes - October 2004

Monthly perspectives from Earth Share of Washington staff members on activities and trends.

Dear Reader:

Vehicle donations are an increasingly popular way to support a charity, and because of that, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has stepped up its review of such donations.

This is the time of year when people often think about replacing their cars and trucks. Consider donating a used vehicle to a charity. It's a win-win situation: great opportunities for a tax deduction, to recycle your vehicle and to help the planet. Just make sure you report the fair market value of the vehicle. The IRS won't accept a $20,000 deduction on a '92 Volvo.

The IRS offers guidance on vehicle donations at its web site, www.irs.gov. Type "vehicle donation" in the search box.

Vehicle donations contribute to protecting our water and air, our communities, our food, our lands, and our wildlife. We're very grateful that many people choose to contribute to Earth Share of Washington in this fashion, and we want to make sure everyone, including the IRS, is happy with the result.

Information about Earth Share of Washington's vehicle donation program is available at the "How You Can Help" section of its web site - www.esw.org.

- Dave Manelski
Program Coordinator

Posted in the October 2004 Earth Page

EarthCorps announces 2005 EarthCorps Sullivan Award recipients Dennis Madsen and Jan Hunt

Dennis Madsen is CEO of Recreational Equipment Incorporated (REI). He is an EarthCorps Advisory Board member, donor, and advocate. Dennis is involved with many environmental nonprofits including Bicycle Alliance of Washington, IslandWood and Earth Share of Washington. Dennis actively encourages friends and colleagues to support organizations fostering youth environmental stewardship and promotes environmental service among REI employees. His leadership, sense of humor and hard work are an inspiration to all who meet him.

Jan Hunt spent the last 18 years teaching at Dearborn Park Elementary on Seattle's Beacon Hill. Jan inspires environmental stewardship among her students through an environment-based curriculum that takes students out of the classroom and into forested school grounds where they work to restore native forest. Jan and the entire Dearborn staff team up with EarthCorps to run an annual Earth Day event that engages more than 500 elementary and middle school students on environmental service projects.

EarthCorps is thrilled to acknowledge Dennis and Jan for their contributions to environmental education, youth leadership and community service. They both have played an important role in creating opportunities for low-income and at-risk youth to participate in outdoor activities, fostering an ethic of environmental stewardship and participation in the next generation. Jan Hunt had this to say about her work with EarthCorps:

"Through your work, these kids, many of whom are at risk (74% of whom are on free and reduced lunch), have something in their lives that is stable, and always there: the forest. When we first start the year's program with a new group of students, it seems as though they do not know a tulip from a maple and why it is important to know the difference. At the end of the year, they are proud to have the knowledge of what is native and what is invasive. They love to maintain their area. Your program has instilled in them responsibility for caring and nurturing something that they can have control over."

The Sullivan Award is named in honor of past King County Councilwoman, Cynthia Sullivan, for her leadership as one of the founding partners of EarthCorps and to recognize her commitment to restoring our local environment for the citizens of King County. The Sullivan Award presented annually to individuals or organizations that advocate for and support environmental stewardship in King County. Past Sullivan Award honorees are: John Barber, Open Space Advocate; Ann Knight and Jerry Arbes, Friends of Seattle's Olmsted Parks; and Doug Schindler, Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust.

The Sullivan Award is presented each year at the EarthCorps Annual Auction, which will take place on Saturday, October 16th, 2004 from 5:30-9:30pm at St. Demetrios Church in Seattle. Please see the upcoming events calendar for more information.

Posted in the October 2004 Earth Page

Staff Notes - September 2004

Monthly perspectives from Earth Share of Washington staff members on activities and trends.

Dear Reader:

The busy workplace giving season is upon us. As Earth Share of Washington's (ESW) Campaign Director, I will spend the next several months traveling throughout the Puget Sound inspiring employees at area workplaces to support ESW and the environment through their charitable giving programs.

In doing this, I have opportunities to speak to a wide range of audiences with the goal of connecting environmental support directly with people's health and quality of life. It is the link between a healthy environment and my health that motivates me to do this work, and I believe it is a compelling message to inspire awareness and appreciation in all of us.

Part of this message is also encouraging people to be active and enjoy Washington's outdoors. Getting outside and seeing what our natural environment offers our lives is a great way to motivate our caring and concern for its health. We look forward to reaching many people with our message for the first time, and to talking with those that continue to provide their support year after year.

- Ana Garzon, Campaign Director

Posted in the September 2004 Earth Page

Earth Share Notes

Dear Reader:

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

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

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

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

- William Borden, Executive Director

Posted in the August 2004 Earth Page

Day in the Park 2004 a Huge Success - More Than 500 Volunteers in Attendance

SEATTLE, WA -- More than 500 volunteers from across Western Washington converged on Discovery Park and Golden Gardens June 12, to celebrate Earth Share of Washington's Day in the Park 2004. In the morning, volunteers participated in a variety of restoration projects and finished out the day with a grand celebration featuring live music, a barbecue lunch, the grand opening of the newly renovated Golden Garden Bathhouse, and a thank you from Mayor Greg Nickels.

Volunteer Sharon Minter remarked "It was truly a pleasure to serve long side so many great people - and what fun we had! Thanks for including me and giving me the opportunity to give back a little for what we are so largely blessed with."

More than 50 environmental organizations, community groups, businesses, and government agencies participated in Day in the Park 2004.

"Day in the Park is an opportunity for everyone to get involved in helping the Earth and giving back to your community," proclaims Earth Share of Washington Program Coordinator and Day in the Park organizer, Dave Manelski. "For me, the most exciting part about working for Earth Share to plan Day in the Park is building community across so many different organizations. We have environmental organizations, community groups, corporate teams, and Seattle Parks personnel all working together. To see everyone out there giving back and having fun just made my day."

Here is a sample of the projects completed this year:
At Discovery Park:

• Volunteers rebuilt sections of the North Beach Trail,
• removed a large stand of invasive blackberries,
• cleaned up both the North and South Beach of trash,
• and removed a significant amount of ivy from the North Beach Trail.

At Golden Gardens:

• Volunteers saved more than 100 trees from the overwhelming ivy,
• repaired portions of Trail #3,
• eradicated the dunes from invasives, and maintained native vegetation there,
• cleaned up the beach and the fire pits,
• protected delicate wetland vegetation,
• and removed invasive garlic mustard from around the park.

Thank you to all of the volunteers, participating organizations, and sponsors who helped to make Day in the Park 2004 such a great event. A special thanks goes out to title sponsor IKEA, media sponsor 103.7 KMTT The Mountain, and Seattle Parks & Recreation without whom this event would not be possible.

We hope that you'll consider joining us for Day in the Park 2005. In the meantime, take a look at some of the photos from the 2004 event at the Day in the Park website (Thank you Luc Schoonjans and Doug Manelski for your photographic expertise).

Posted in the July 2004 Earth Page

Recycle Your Car - Donate It to Earth Share of Washington

Earth Share of Washington is excited to announce that we are now able to accept donations of used cars. Just send us a little information about your vehicle and a pick-up location and we'll tow it away, transfer the title, and give you a letter for a tax write-off. It couldn't be easier!

Why donate your car?
It's much easier to donate your used car than it is to sell it yourself. And the tax savings might even be more than what you would receive from a trade in. Your donation will support Earth Share of Washington's environmental programs.

To learn more about our car donation program or to send us your old car, please visit our website, www.esw.org/help/car_program.html or call 206-622-9840.

Posted in the May 2004 Earth Page

2003 Workplace Giving Season Draws to a Close

- by Ana Garzon, ESW's Campaign Director

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

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

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

Posted in the January 2004 Earth Page

Perspectives

- by ESW Executive Director William Borden

"Always do right," spoke Mark Twain to a group of young people. "This will gratify some people, and astonish the rest."

For Earth Share of Washington (ESW), "doing right" means accounting for, and using, each donor dollar with scrutiny. Each year, ESW examines its member organizations for fiscal responsibility, program achievement, and staff and board integrity. Each organization must meet these standards to participate in Earth Share of Washington.

"Doing right" means reducing overhead costs as much as practicable, an innate practice among business leaders. In 2002, ESW spent 3.09% of revenue on fundraising and administration, an extraordinarily low figure.

In May of this year, former U.S. Senator Bill Bradley and a consulting firm, McKinsey & Company, wrote an article for the Harvard Business Review, urging non-profits to examine their programs, identify duplication with similar groups, reduce fundraising costs, and operate in a more business-like manner. Among their findings, non-profit organizations could save $55 billion annually by eliminating inefficiencies, and save an additional $26 billion by raising money through the Internet and by soliciting larger grants from fewer foundations.

Clearly in the non-profit field, duplication of programs and services exists. Also clearly, non-profits have adopted more strategic business practices, devised innovative revenue-generating ideas (witness the explosion of gift shops at museums and zoos), and trimmed expenses to maintain essential operations.

Bradley is one of America's most respected policy advisers and a proponent of progressive environmental policies and sustainability. This report misses the mark by assuming that larger non-profits are more efficiently managed than smaller ones. Some of the most effective of Earth Share of Washington's member organizations consist of a handful of employees. In these organizations you may find the executive director working weekends hauling old refrigerators and junk cars out of streams, or training volunteers to wield a Pulaski (a landscaping tool often used in trail building). In the words of one donor, "For the Microsoft Giving Campaign, I chose Earth Share because it is a coalition that supports a diverse set of issues including environmental clean-up, outdoor recreation, habitat protection, and legal issues."

While we should heed the call for greater efficiency and economies of scale, we must also recognize that the work needs to get done, and at this critical time in our country's history, we need environmental groups large and small working together.

Today, as in the future, "doing right" is meeting � or exceeding � the expectations of our donors, our member organizations, and the public. We are grateful indeed to the thousands of citizens and institutions that have supported our efforts.

Posted in the August 2003 Earth Page

Job Seekers List

Email: agarzon@esw.org

Are you looking for a non-profit job in the Puget Sound region? You're in luck! ESW's own Campaign Director Ana Garzon maintains a non-profit job seekers email list. She sends out job opportunities via email as soon as she receives them. If you would like to join this list, please email Ana (agarzon@esw.org) with your name and email address to signup.

Posted in the July 2003 Earth Page

Staying on the Leading Edge

- by William Borden, Earth Share of Washington Executive Director

"I don't get it," sighed the culinary student, "I've tried everything, but I can't seem to find the technique!"

"Perhaps," said the instructor discreetly, "you should sharpen your knife."

So it is with organizations. Earth Share of Washington honed the knife recently by adopting a new mission statement and a new strategic plan.

Until recently, Earth Share of Washington's (ESW) sole purpose was to raise and disburse money to support the environmental programs of its member organizations. Then, beginning in 2001, ESW staff and board members conducted in-depth interviews with 19 CEOs and community affairs directors in companies throughout King County. We heard the following perceptions about environmental organizations:

• they do not respond to human needs
• they're out of touch with local communities
• they're too narrowly focused
• their missions and programs too often overlap
• they're elitist and lack socioeconomic diversity
• they don't relate to business needs.

An unfortunate chasm of mistrust and misinformation divides these two sectors. How can the conservation community build credibility and trust with people in business? As this state's principal liaison between the environmental community and workplace employees, Earth Share of Washington intends to do something about it.

To help build bridges between conservation organizations and community, Earth Share of Washington re-structured its board, altered its mission and adopted a strategic plan, all within the past year. The plan capitalizes on our existing relationships with the business community. Simply put, we propose to motivate and inspire employees to care for the environment, and to do something positive to help.

So, if funding permits, we intend to embark on an outreach program, in which Earth Share of Washington will link Puget Sound area corporations with leading conservation and environmental organizations. What would employees find useful and engaging ... conservation breakfasts? Lunchtime presentations? Volunteer work parties?

What are your ideas?

At Earth Share of Washington, a dull knife doesn't cut it. We intend to stay on the leading edge, and we will keep you apprised of this program periodically in The Earth Page. Let us know your thoughts at info@esw.org.

Posted in the June 2003 Earth Page