Get involved and protect Earth and island

Ideas and resources for Earth Day.

By Beachcomber Staff • April 15, 2025 6:30 pm
Songbirds like this orange-crowned warbler need protection from outdoor cats and unmarked windows, and habitats full of native plants like this western serviceberry to provide cover, nest sites, and a rich supply of fruit and insect for themselves and their nestlings. (Jim Diers photo)
Songbirds like this orange-crowned warbler need protection from outdoor cats and unmarked windows, and habitats full of native plants like this western serviceberry to provide cover, nest sites, and a rich supply of fruit and insect for themselves and their nestlings. (Jim Diers photo)

Take advantage of these environmental resources and ways to get involved on Vashon.

Wastemobile

Islanders can dispose of hazardous materials for free at the King County Wastemobile from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, April 25-27, when it visits the Tjomsland Gravel Pit, 17001 107th Ave SW, for three days.

The Wastemobile, which travels to communities around the county, accepts hazardous household materials such as old car batteries, oil and paint. For more information about the Wastemobile, including a complete list of acceptable materials and quantity limits, visit tinyurl.com/KingCountyWastemobile2025, or call 206-296-4692.

Epic Day of Service

Join the Vashon Rotary Club and island partners for a Global Day of Action on Saturday, May 17. As part of Rotary’s “Epic Day of Service,” islanders will join thousands of others around the world to make a difference by tackling beach pollution.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

In addition to cleaning up all the plastic and other trash on Vashon beaches, the day will be focus on rogue beach tires, which disperse hazardous chemicals into marine ecosystems through chemical leaching, microplastic pollution, habitat disruption, and bioaccumulation of toxins.

Vashon Rotary is partnering with Vashon Parks, Zero Waste Vashon, King County Parks and Solid Waste Departments, Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, Vashon Adventures, and other organizations and islander activists, and working with artist Addie Boswell, who will transform beach trash into works of art.

Sign up and learn more at tinyurl.com/VashonRotaryTires. Questions or ideas? Contact Steve Bergman by emailing scbergmanvashon@gmail.com.

Eight steps to save insects from global decline

An article recently published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, a scientific journal, outlines eight steps you can take now to help stem the decline of insects across the globe. Critical to the survival of other species, the fate of insects affects the fate of us all.

• Create insect-friendly habitats by converting lawns into diverse natural habitats.

• Grow native plants.

• Reduce pesticide and herbicide use.

• Limit use of exterior lighting.

• Lessen soap runoff from washing vehicles and building exteriors, and reduce use of driveway sealants and de-icing salts.

• Counter negative perceptions of insects.

• Become an educator, ambassador, and advocate for insect conservation.

• Get involved in local politics, support science and vote.

For more details, search online for the PNAS feature “Eight simple actions that individuals can take to save insects from global declines.”