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Hooray for volunteers!

Sustainability has champions, hooray! For the last two years, the hard working and community minded members of Out For Sustainability have volunteered their time and energy to help Seattle. For the group’s Earth Gay event on Earth Day 2013, April 20, hundreds participated to clean-up the Cheshiahud Loop Trail, along Lake Union.

The volunteers also completed a Seattle Street Ends project on the NW corner of Lake Union, near the Aurora Street Bridge. That work included building a wooden staircase on the City/State owned street end, weeding, mulching, protecting tree systems from invasive species, and planting new native species near and on neighboring trails, to attract and help area wildlife.  Volunteers and neighbors alike have now spotted a great blue heron, ducks and geese frequenting the area once overrun by noxious weeds and debris!

EarthGayCollage                            Click on image above to see larger version

This endeavor is a shining example of a successful government |volunteer | business collaborative. SDOT worked cooperatively with the Out for Sustainability Earth Gay volunteers, assisting them with staff, advice, and materials – and we could not have completed the project without them. HOORAY for the volunteers!

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StreetEnd2013

And while we’re at it, thanks to Sellen Construction staff. SDOT Project Manager Terry Plumb notes, “They were a big help in making this happen.  They worked the week before the event, preparing the steps, cutting and drilling, and starting the installation for the volunteers to then finish up.”

Seattle’s Shoreline Street Ends Program addresses sustainability and social equity, among other things, improving shoreline access and enjoyment for all while enhancing shoreline habitat. The program has many partners, as most projects are only minimally funded and depend on volunteers. Click here for more information on improving a shoreline street end near you!