In 2012, Seattle-born Earth Gay is going national. And, by national, we apparently mean it is expanding to Portland. There aren’t many volunteer slots left for Sunday’s work day in Seattle but you can always think up your own sustainability-minded project and get a few friends together to get it done. If you have an idea, feel free to recruit via the CHS comments. Also let us know about any other Earth Day-type activities in the area. The next on-Hill clean-up we’re aware of is May 12th’s chamber of commerce street sweep.
On April 22nd over 300 volunteers will work to restore the northwest corner of Lake Union as part of the fourth annual “Earth Gay” by OUT for Sustainability. The event is the most visible expression of environmental action by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) community and their straight allies in the Pacific Northwest. Working on Lake Union’s northwest corner, volunteers will be building a water access point, supporting health of an urban forest, and planting 200 native species donated by King Conservation District as well as other activities intended to support the 7-mile Cheshiahud Loop Trail that rings Lake Union.
Earth Gay is organized by OUT for Sustainability, the first and only nonprofit working to mobilize the LGBTQ community to advance social and environmental sustainability. Event partners include Starbucks Coffee Company (Presenting Partner), the City of Seattle, Seattle Parks Foundation, Tutta Bella, Duos Catering, Seattle Works, Wimmer Solutions, and more. Earth Gay community partners include the Boeing Company, Sellen Construction, Gay City, Equal Rights Washington, and more.
Several elected officials from the local and state level will encourage volunteers between shifts with Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn, Seattle City Council President Sally Clark, and State Representative Marko Liias speaking at Noon, with State Senator Ed Murray at 2:30pm.
More information, including a complete list of partners, is available at earthgay.org.
Registration for remaining volunteer shifts is at earthgay2012.eventbrite.com
