The Lopez Island Conservation Corps made history on April 17 by participating in the global celebration of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. They organized an island wide clean-up.

Over 1 billion people worldwide participated or will be participating in events throughout the week (officially, Earth Day was April 22) in over 190 different countries to focus on our environment and continue to fight for environmental issues that have been gaining exposure since the first Earth Day and the birth of the Environmental Protection Agency in 1970.

There was blustery weather on Saturday but the crew, small in number and large in heart, hosted a successful cleanup and made a significant and positive impact on the Earth.

The event had 30 participants who worked on cleaning up multiple sites throughout the island in conjunction with partnering organizations such as: San Juan County Parks, Bureau of Land Management and San Juan County Public Works

As a collective effort, the volunteers gathered over 25 large garbage bags and large debris at a weight of over 750 lbs.

Lopez Island Conservation Corps extends their gratitude to all of the volunteers for their valiant efforts and also to thank the following organizations: Friends of the San Juans and Susan Muckle (Lopez Beach Watcher) for contributing data collection sheets, Lopez Island Transfer Station for free beach and roadside cleanup disposal, and San Juan County Public Works for the usage of cautionary signs for roadside cleanup crews.

For more information on the Lopez Island Conservation Corps and future opportunities to

participate please contact:

Kirsten Anderson, LICC Program Leader (360) 468-3754

Or visit us on the web: liccupdates.blogspot.com/