Get your hands dirty for a good cause: Duwamish Alive! clean-up events, April 16

Get warmed up for Earth Day this year by doing something right for the environment in Seattle’s backyard – the Duwamish River – by participating in one of the several Duwamish Alive! clean-up events, scheduled for April 16.

Whether it’s fishing out trash from along the shores of the Duwamish River by kayak, or attacking vegetation such as English ivy, Himalayan blackberry or some other invasive interloper, there are numerous clean-up and restoration opportunities awaiting at this annual event, which is hosted by the Duwamish Alive Coalition – a partnership of non-profit organizations, community groups, local businesses and local governments, including King County.

Organizers have planned clean-up events that all run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 16 in South Park, Georgetown, White Center, West Seattle, Delridge/Pigeon Point and Tukwila. Work sites include a river cleanup by kayak and canoe, shoreline salmon habitat restoration, and native forest revitalization.

No experience is necessary to volunteer for one of the clean-up and restoration events. Participants are asked to dress for the weather and wear sturdy footwear. Work gloves, tools, snacks and beverages will be provided, but volunteers are free to bring their own, as well.

After the work party, join Nature Consortium for the Duwamish Alive Festival with free food, live music, and hands-on arts activities, from 2-4 p.m. at Pigeon Point Park, at the corner of 20th Avenue Southwest and Southwest Genesee Street, Seattle.

For details on these events visit http://www.duwamishalive.org/, email contact@duwamishalive.org, or call 206-923-0853.

King County is also sponsoring its eighth-annual Earth Day Expo, Friday, April 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Westlake Plaza, on the corner of Fourth Avenue and Pine Street in Seattle. The Green Globes, King County’s most prestigious environmental awards, will be presented at 11 a.m. Winners are leaders in environmental stewardship working to protect the environment, manage natural resources and foster community involvement. Admission is free, and there are plenty of activities and information for adults and kids. Learn more at http://www.kingcounty.gov/earthday.

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Duwamish Alive! is the collective effort of the Duwamish Alive! Coalition, comprised of: King County, King Conservation District, City of Seattle, City of Tukwila, Alki Kayak Tours, The Boeing Company, Cascade Land Conservancy,  Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition, EarthCorps, Elliott Bay Restoration Panel, Environmental Coalition of South Seattle, EOS Alliance, Field Roast Grain Meat Co., Friends of Duwamish Hill Preserve, Green/Duwamish and Central Puget Sound Watershed Forum of Local Governments, Green Seattle Partnership, Georgetown Community Council, IM-A-PAL Foundation, Longfellow Creek Watershed Council, Nature Consortium, People For Puget Sound, Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, Port of Seattle,  Parks and Recreation, Steamers Seafood Café, Veterans Conservation Corps, West Seattle Wildlife Habitat Project.

Related information

Duwamish Alive! (External link)

King County's Earth Day Expo

King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks