Press Release: Hundreds Giving Their Time at Annual Green Tacoma Day

Press Release, Sept. 21, 2011

TACOMA, WA – On Sept. 24 from 10am-1pm, hundreds of Tacoma-area residents will take to their favorite parks, gulches and shorelines across the city to battle invasive species such as English ivy and Himalayan blackberry, plant native plants, spread mulch and more. Their restoration efforts will help make Tacoma’s urban green space even better, ensuring the success of the fourth annual Green Tacoma Day.

Green Tacoma Day is an annual celebration and kickoff to the planting season. The event is put on by the Green Tacoma Partnership, a public-private collaboration between the City of Tacoma, Forterra, Metro Parks, Tahoma Audubon Society, citizens, educational organizations, neighborhood groups, non-profits, faith-based organizations and businesses all working to sustain a viable, healthy network of natural spaces throughout Tacoma.

“Green Tacoma Day is the realization of the Partnership’s primary mission to engage the community in the restoration and maintenance of viable, healthy natural spaces,” said Kory Kramer, Forterra South Sound Green Cities project manager. “The result of our work is not only great urban open spaces where the community can recreate and relax in nature, but an involved and empowered citizenry that cares for its part of Tacoma and takes action to make it a better place.”

There will be 13 official works sites throughout Tacoma at which people can volunteer. The restoration work done on Green Tacoma Day will go a long way towards the partnership’s goal to restore 1,881 acres in the Tacoma-area in the next 20 years. The work will ensure the long-term sustainability of the city’s open spaces.

This year’s event coincides with National Public Lands day, a nationwide service day slated to bring thousands of volunteers out to give their time improving the parks and green spaces in their own communities. 

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