News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 22, 2003
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Alt Contact:  Woody Wheeler, Audubon Centers, 206-652-2444

Gov. Gary Locke, Schoolchildren Celebrate Earth Day at Seward Park

SEATTLE – April 22, 2003 – Gov. Gary Locke today joined south Seattle area schoolchildren, neighbors, and community leaders for a special Earth Day celebration in Seward Park.

The celebration, “Planting for the Future,” featured the planting of a native Western red cedar tree and ground cover along with the removal of harmful vegetation from the park area.

“We must continue to educate ourselves about the environment and be involved so that future generations can enjoy Seward Park as we do today,” Locke said. “We have only one Earth and it is up to all of us to take care of it.”

Twenty-five fifth graders from south Seattle neighborhood’s Graham Hill Elementary joined the governor in the planting and removal of vegetation. The schoolchildren also added their signatures to the Earth Day proclamation.

“The conservation and restoration work being done today benefit both the habitat and wildlife,” said Ken Bounds, superintendent of the Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation. “Having the governor here today reinforces the importance of this work with the children.”

The 277-acre Seward Park, future site of an Audubon Center, contains some of the city’s last remaining old-growth evergreen trees, an active Bald Eagle nest, and miles of scenic shoreline along Lake Washington. The neighborhoods by Seward Park are the most diverse in Seattle, with more than 73 ethnic groups represented, and the city’s largest K-12 population.

The Audubon Center will provide hands-on environmental education to children and adults, help the City care for Seward Park, and enlist volunteers of all ages in citizen science and stewardship.

Also speaking at the Earth Day celebration were Joyce Kelly, Seward Park neighbor and chair of the Seward Park Audubon Center Stewardship Board; and Christina Gallegos, Seward Park naturalist.





» Return to this month's News Releases
» View News Release Archive

Access Washington