On Saturday, Oct. 17, Executive Girmay Zahilay joined the Duwamish Alive Coalition, King County Volunteer Corps, employees, and residents for the county’s inaugural Regional Day of Service.

Rain in the forecast and wind on the way didn’t stop more than 60 volunteers from showing up at White Center Heights Park to make a difference. The event, hosted by the Duwamish Alive Coalition and King County Parks, was part of Duwamish Alive!, a biannual community effort that has brought neighbors together to restore and protect the Duwamish watershed since 2006.

Volunteers removed 160 gallons of litter and 20 cubic yards of weeds – enough material to fill up the beds of four pickup trucks, planted 60 native shrubs and ferns, and spread mulch to support the park’s restoration. Across the watershed, other Duwamish Alive! activities included kayak-based river cleanups and additional planting and restoration projects. Read more.