The Kenmore Top 4: April 19, 2024

It's Earth Day in Kenmore!
This week, the City Council proclaimed Monday, April 22, 2024 as Earth Day in Kenmore. This day is celebrated globally to safeguard our planet and plan for a brighter future. The proclamation urges the Kenmore community to observe Earth Day by educating, encouraging, and volunteering to protect and preserve our Earth. 

The City Council also proclaimed Monday, April 26, 2024 as Arbor Day in Kenmore. Arbor Day supports efforts to protect our trees and woodlands and affirms our dedication to preserving and enhancing the natural beauty and ecological health of our community for generations to come. 

We can all do our part! The City has been implementing its Climate Action Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions citywide, and our community members have a key role to play. You are invited to get involved and help make change in our community. See below for a few ways to learn and jump in.

Annual Earth Day Celebration Returns on April 27
You're invited to attend a fun Earth Day Celebration event on Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Rhododendron Park. This free, all ages event will have a variety of interactive activities to learn about living more sustainably and opportunities to celebrate our earth. 

The Earth Day Celebration also features a volunteer work party from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Anyone who would like to volunteer is invited to bring their gardening gloves and help clean up and beautify the park. Check out the event website for more details.

More Ways to Celebrate Our Earth and Make a Difference

• Swamp Creek Habitat Restoration Party: April 20
  Join Sno-King Watershed Council for habitat restoration at the 175th St/Swamp Creek South site on Saturday, April 20 from 11 am - 2 pm. Come when you can and stay as long as you like! See event details here.
  
• Thoughtful Citizens Earth Day Trash Pickup: April 20
  Celebrate Earth Day with your friends & family through service. Join Thoughtful Citizens for their Earth Day Trash Pickup at ƛ̕ax̌ʷadis (Tl' awh-ah-dees) Park on Saturday, April 20 from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Supplies are available to borrow or bring your own. See event details here. 
• Consider Going Solar
  Solarize Kenmore is a new solar energy program available to Kenmore residents now through July 4, 2024. Reserve your free solar assessment on the program webpage solarizekenmore.org.
  
• Start a Rain Garden
  Rain gardens are a great addition to yards or in place of lawns. Rain gardens that utilize native plants help reduce water runoff and flooding and provide habitat for pollinators – a win-win! Learn more about how rain gardens work and find resources for making your own garden at kenmorewa.gov/CAP.

Kenmore's Climate Action Advisory Committee Gets to Work
The newly formed Climate Action Advisory Committee has started their work and just had their third meeting. The group, made up of Kenmore residents, has been learning more about City climate efforts and brainstorming ways to support those efforts through committee-led events and projects. The committee will start implementing smaller projects, like informational seminars for the public, this summer. They will also be involved in future plan development, like the upcoming Urban Forestry Management Plan and EV Infrastructure Plan. You can stay up to date with the Committee's work and how you can get involved at kenmorewa.gov/cap.