Thurston County to celebrate Earth Day with public events

Thurston County will celebrate Earth Day with recycling stations, park cleanups and student-led service projects on Saturday, April 19.  

Woodland Creek Community Park will host the main event, while school cleanups and marine debris sweeps will take place at other countywide locations. 

Main event 

Thurston County and the City of Lacey will host the central Earth Day event at Woodland Creek Community Park from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The program includes: 

1. LeMay Pacific Disposal’s Touch-a-Garbage Truck: Visitors can climb aboard a working garbage truck and see how local waste is collected and managed. 
2. Intercity Transit’s Touch-a-Bus: Guests can board a city bus and learn how public transit systems operate in Thurston County. 
3. Intercity Transit’s Biodiesel Bus: Staff will explain how the biodiesel-powered bus cuts emissions and supports cleaner transit. 
4. Intercity Transit’s Bike-on-Bus Demonstration: Transit workers will show how to load and unload bicycles using the front bus rack. 
5. Thurston County Public Health & Social Services Non-Toxic Household Cleaner Workshop: Participants can make their own household cleaner using safe, low-waste ingredients. 
6. Thurston County Noxious Weeds’ Native Wildflower Planting: Attendees may plant native wildflowers and take them home to support local plant life. 
7. Pacific Shellfish Institute’s Litter Education Games: Children and families can play games that teach how litter affects water and shorelines. 
8. Thurston County Solid Waste’s Beeswax Wrap-Making: Advocates can make reusable wraps that replace plastic food coverings. 
9. Thurston County Solid Waste’s Plastic Film Recycling Drop-Off: Each guest may bring one grocery bag filled with plastic film for recycling by Ridwell. 
10. Thurston County Solid Waste’s Recycling Q&A: Recycling specialists will be on hand to answer questions about what goes where. 
11. Timberland Regional Library Booth: Library staff will showcase materials and guidance on books and programs about the environment. 
12. Stream Team Outreach: Locals can stop by to connect with local groups working on environmental projects. 

Student challenge 

Meanwhile, the student cleanup challenge will start at 10 a.m. in five locations, with the PARC Foundation, Lions Clubs and city parks departments coordinating the event. 

Students will participate in park cleanup projects across the county, with schools competing for a $1,000 prize, and a $500 award for the runner-up. Cleanup locations are: 

• Woodland Creek Community Park, 6729 Pacific Ave. SE, Lacey 

• Squaxin Park, 2600 East Bay Drive NE, Olympia 

• Tumwater Historical Park, 802 Deschutes Way SW, Tumwater 

• Tenino City Park, Park Avenue E, Tenino 

• Frye Cove Park, 4000 61st Ave. NW, Olympia 

Volunteer program 

Simultaneously, a statewide coastal cleanup will be held by Washington CoastSavers and Washington State Parks at multiple beach locations. 

The state organizations said volunteers will remove marine debris from various state parks, such as Cape Disappointment, Fort Flagler, Fort Townsend, Fort Worden, Grayland Beach, Mystery Bay, Ocean City, Pacific Beach, Shine Tidelands and Twin Harbors. 

Advance registration is recommended and volunteers should dress for changing weather, as advised by the state organizations. Supplies for debris collection will be available at check-in stations. 

Additional activities 

On the same day, the Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) will launch its “Bicycle Community Challenge” with a Market Ride to the Olympia Farmers Market. 

According to the TRPC, riders from different areas will converge at Heritage Park at 11 a.m. for the Market Ride. 

Also, The Procession of the Species Parade and Spring Arts Walk will take place in downtown Olympia on Saturday, April 26, starting at 4:30 p.m.