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Earth Day Volunteers Do Good Works at Arboretum

May 5, 2006

What better way to celebrate the Earth than gussy-up our own slice of botanical paradise – the Washington Park Arboretum?

In cooperation with the Student Conservation Association, the Gardening and Education staff of the Arboretum led teams of at least 200 volunteers on projects such as trail improvement, mulching, and ivy removal.


David Mabberley, Arron, Annie, Mayor Nickels
At a pre-event rally David Mabberley, Director of UW Botanic Gardens and Seattle Mayor, Greg Nickels spoke to the crowd about the important role botanic gardens play in international environmental recovery efforts.

David Zuckerman, Horticulture Staff Supervisor, reported on the day's effort: “Killer weeds are now covered up and the area looks good for the public and potential weddings.”  English Ivy, identified as “our evil invader” by Mr. Zuckerman, was removed from along the Oak Trail up to Yew Hill.

Volunteers also enhanced the new Cottage Trail at the southern tip of the Arboretum.  The Cottage Trail will improve pedestrian access to the Arboretum from Lake Washington Boulevard.

 

 

 



Children also joined the fun. Shawna Hartung, Education Coordinator, hosted educational activities to introduce kids to the wonders of nature.  The kids then got down to work making mulch rings in the Crabapple Meadow.


Earth Day was such a success that staff hope to make it an annual event.

 

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