King County celebrates 3rd annual Earth Day Expo

Starbucks partnership, fight against global warming highlight day-long event at Westlake Plaza

King County's eco-friendly programs and a regional trail partnership with Starbucks took center stage at King County's annual Earth Day Expo celebration today at Westlake Plaza.

As an audience of area preschool children, Bert the Salmon, vendors of eco-friendly products, and downtown Seattle passers-by looked on, Starbucks unveiled a prototype of its new King County Park informational trail kiosks.

The day-long Earth Day Expo also featured King County programs and policies that fight or prepare for global warming and environmentally-friendly businesses showcasing their products and services.

"One of the ways King County Parks and our partner Starbucks are contributing to reducing emissions and suburban sprawl is by making it easier for people to get out of their cars and onto King County's amazing trail system," said King County Parks Director Kevin Brown. "We are eager to get these kiosks placed throughout the region to give local residents more information about the wonderful trail system that exists throughout King County."

In November 2005, Starbucks awarded $250,000 to King County Parks to fund the installation of informational kiosks at trail gateways and trailheads. The kiosks will provide a starting point into the system, but are also positioned to allow trail users to more quickly access local points of interest and scenic corridors. In addition to the kiosk project, this gift also helps to support trail maintenance and operations.

"We're extremely excited to showcase how this investment is benefiting our local environment especially on Earth Day," said King County Parks Director Kevin Brown. "Our trails are important to King County residents and this gift from Starbucks has allowed us to dedicate more resources toward their improvement and maintenance."

The funds will impact more then 3 million trail users, encouraging healthy lifestyles, clean transportation, creating opportunities for citizens of all demographics to connect with one-another and the environment, and developing joint outreach opportunities to citizens and partners groups. Reducing emissions and protecting open space, as well as expanding and linking our regional trail system, furthers King County's goal to stem the impact of global warming.

Trail kiosks will include maps and information about amenities, wildlife and additional recreational opportunities available to King County trail users. King County's regional park system includes more than 25,000 acres of parks and open space and more than 170 miles of regional trails.

King County's Earth Day Expo has become a key venue for local retailers and organizations looking to promote their environmentally friendly products and services. Shoppers enjoyed the free coffee samples and children from local daycares visited with Bert the Salmon and learned about composting from hungry worms.

This year's program also attracted the attention of former local Seattle resident Kameran Onley, now serving as the Assistant Deputy Secretary of the Department of the Interior. Keith Caudle, Western Region Director of AmeriCorps, also participated and highlighted recent volunteer work on the Washington's own Hood Canal. For more information about Earth Day and family fun activities in King County visit the Web site at http://www.dnr.metrokc.gov/dnrp/pa/earthday/, or contact Glynnis Vaughan at 206-296-1980.