On April 21, more than 140 community volunteers joined the city of Kirkland and the Green Kirkland Partnership at North Rose Hill Woodlands Park to celebrate Earth Month with a day of environmental service.

Volunteers pitched in to remove invasive plants from more than half an acre of forest, hauled 35 cubic yards of mulch and planted more than 60 native plants.

Kirkland Council member Jon Pascal, along with city manager Kurt Triplett and assistant city manager Jim Lopez, reminded the crowd that “Earth Day is every day in Kirkland” and that “Volunteering is one of the many ways that the city and its residents are walking the walk to protect the natural environment.”

Volunteers came from across Kirkland and the Eastside including Tata Consulting Services, Cub Scout Pack 550, Bellevue College Global Leaders, Kirkland Youth Council, User Research, Clarkson University Alumni, Columbia Bank and many friends and park neighbors.

This event was organized as a partnership between the Green Kirkland Partnership, EarthCorps, city of Kirkland, University of Washington Restoration Ecology Network and with funding support from the King Conservation District.

For more information about the Green Kirkland Partnership and to sign-up to volunteer visit www.greenkirkland.org.

More than 140 Volunteers joined the Green Kirkland Partnership to celebrate Earth Month in Kirkland with a day of environmental service at North Rose Hill Woodlands Park. Photo courtesy of Kristine Rooke

UW-REN students completed their Senior Capstone Project at North Rose Hill Woodlands as a part of Earth Month. Photo courtesy of Kristine Rooke

Assistant city manager Jim Lopez representing the city’s green team awards the “biggest-root” winner as a part of the celebration. Photo courtesy of Kristine Rooke