MARYSVILLE — The Allen Quilceda Watershed Action Team, or “AQWA Team,” will host a free hands-on Earth Day weekend event at Jennings Park.
The public event takes place April 24 and offers a number of activities for both children and adults, including a chance to “dig in” and get some work done along Allen Creek. Participants are invited to stop by between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to learn about salmon, native trees, water pollution and steps they can take to keep their streams healthy.
“We must promote awareness and support a conscious effort to change practices that are harmful to the environment,” Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon said. “This event is a great opportunity to put that philosophy in action.”
The first 200 participants will receive a “blank” shirt depicting an outline of their watershed. Everyone can then personalize their shirt as they visit different sponsor booths located throughout the park. Each booth will teach participants about a different part of their watershed. Volunteers will also be planting native trees along the creek and digging up blackberry roots to improve conditions for fish and other wildlife.
“We hope that, through creating their own shirts, students and adults alike will see all of the ways they impact their local streams and rivers with the choices they make every day,” said Cara Ianni of the Stilly-Snohomish Fisheries Enhancement Task Force.
“There will be lots of fun activities that people can join,” said Jennifer Adams of Adopt-A-Stream Foundation. “We think this will be a great time for the whole family.”
The AQWA Team is a partnership of local agencies and organizations working together to restore and protect the health of Allen and Quilceda creeks. AQWA Team members include Snohomish County Surface Water Management, the Stilly-Snohomish Fisheries Enhancement Task Force, Adopt-A-Stream Foundation, the cities of Marysville and Arlington, the state Department of Ecology, Snohomish Conservation District, the Tulalip Tribes, Evergreen Fly Fishing Club and local citizens.
Other event participants include WSU Extension Beach Watchers and Shore Stewards, and the Snohomish County Noxious Weed Board.
For more information, contact Cindy Flint at 425-388-6628 or cindy.flint@snoco.org, or Jennifer Adams at 425-316-8592. Large groups are asked to pre-register.
