Opportunities to volunteer, create, and celebrate during Earth Week
Volunteer at Duwamish Alive 2011
SEATTLE – With restoration and eco-art programs running year-round, every day is earth day at Nature Consortium. But with the official Earth Day around the corner, the organization has lined up a full week of special arts and environmental activities for people of all ages in West Seattle, Yesler Terrace, and Rainier Vista. Earth Week in both programs will culminate with large celebration events on Saturday, April 21.
Nature Consortium’s forest restoration program will host five volunteer events throughout the week at their restoration sites in the West Duwamish Greenbelt in West Seattle. These events are open to all ages and include forest ecology workshops taught by NatureC’s restoration experts.
Those looking to get their hands dirty for Earth Day can pitch in on April 21stat Pigeon Point Park, where Nature Consortium and Earthcorps will co-host an expected 600 volunteers for a biannual day of service called Duwamish Alive.
Volunteers at Nature Consortium’s Duwamish Alive event will work to remove invasive plants like blackberry, ivy, and Scot’s broom from the park. In keeping with their mission to connect people, arts, and nature, the company hires live musicians in the woods to perform for volunteers both during and after the work party as part of the Earth Day celebration. Artists range from bluegrass, jazz, klezmer, folk, to soul. (Sign up here)
Art at Yesler Community Center
Meanwhile, in Yesler Terrace, youth in Nature Consortium’s art program will spend the week (which is also spring break for Seattle Public Schools) with environmentally-themed art classes. Students will work to fill up their earth week “passports” with stamps by completing earth week fact sheets, arts and environmental education projects, and work in their community. Their hard work will culminate with a community-wide Earth Day celebration on April 21st at the Yesler Community Center.
Nature Consortium’s Rainier Vista art program is also holding a special “From Trash to Treasure” art workshop for Earth Week at the RV Boys & Girls Club. Youth will work with recycled materials to build and decorate a life-size castle fort.
The goal of Earth Week is to build community while promoting long-term sustainability. NatureC’s art and restoration programs run year-round and provide plenty of opportunities to get involved during the rest of the year. Youth and adults can sign up to volunteer, attend an art class, or donate online at www.naturec.org.