Join EarthCorps, Mercer Island Parks and Recreation, and community members working to restore this Mercer Island Park. Clarke Beach is located on the shores of Lake Washington and hosts a wide variety of activities such as swimming, hiking and picnicking. The forested area of this park is threatened by the spread of invasive plants such as Himalayan blackberry & English ivy. These invasive plants, if uncontrolled, cover and kill trees, fill the forest floor, and prevent native plants from sprouting. This project is part of a larger effort to restore forests within the Mercer Island park system. This season, work includes removing invasive plants to make space for future tree planting efforts, and continuing stewardship on previously restored areas.
If you are under 18 years of age: Please visit www.miparks.net and click on ‘Volunteer Opportunities’. You may print the ‘Volunteer Activity-Youth Form’, fill it out and have it signed by your parent, or you may have a parent sign the form at the beginning of the event at the sign-in table.
EarthCorps supplies gloves, tools, water, light refreshments and volunteer education that covers safety, information on the park where you are working in, forest health, environmental restoration and the overview of the project. No prior experience is necessary, just come ready to learn something new!