Free Rock The Green Concert Saturday Benefits Green River Preservation

The second annual Rock the Green benefit concert, a free community event to protect the Green River, will take place from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, at Kanaskat Palmer State Park.

The event will feature live bands, a beer garden, food, guided hikes, Smokey Bear, a silent auction and more to benefit the Middle Green River Coalition.

The headliner is Enumclaw’s Justin Grennan, who was a standout performer this year’s popular  TV show called “The Voice.” Other performers include: Night Train, Plateau, Inside Out and Backwards, Max Renshaw and Howling Rain.

Parking is limited; carpooling is encouraged. Overflow parking will be available across from Green River Cycles & Kayaks, 33607 S.E. 309th St., Ravensdale, with a shuttle running every 15 minutes. The Discovery Pass will not be required for entrance to the state park for the event.

More information and the event schedule is available at http://www.mgrcrockthegreen.org.

Proceeds will benefit the nonprofit coalition and its efforts to protect the Green River Gorge and Middle Green River Watershed. Founded in 2000, the MGRC is a group of community members, regional organizations, recreationists, private land owners, government and others. Their goal is to protect the Middle Green River and its tributaries. Through conservation, restoration and education, MGRC preserves key natural areas to protect wildlife habitat and support recreational opportunities. Their slogan is “Preserving the Best of the Last Wild Places in King County.”

Their accomplishments include:

1. Developing a forum, The Green River Gorge Greenway Council, where diverse public and private interests can work toward practical solutions to balance conservation with economic prosperity.
2. $9 million plus of open space dollars into the watershed through public and private grants and other sources. The coalition has worked with King County to purchase a number of open space properties along the Middle Green.
3. Worked with Cascade Land Conservancy to purchase a trailhead access for the Bass / Beaver / Dandy Lake complex leading into the Gorge. Worked with King County and Covington on a grant for restoration at Jenkins Creek Park. Worked on securing 130 acres for a park between Covington and Maple Valley known as Cedar Creek Park.
4. Working with local and regional communities to create a mulit-use trail along the south side of the Green River Gorge. Also, working to preserve a trail link along the old historic Black Diamond to Franklin rail line. MGRC reopened eight miles of trail along the rim of the Green River Gorge including Icy Creek, Hanging Gardens and the Jellum area.
5. Hosted 10 photography exhibits on the Gorge to educate the public about the waterway.