You can get free trees and shrubs this month in Gig Harbor. It’s first come, first served
The year was 1970.
A senator from Wisconsin organized a national demonstration to push for environmental awareness and change. Rallies took place across the country and the message to protect our planet took hold.
Later that year, the United States government formed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). By 1990, Earth Day had become a yearly celebration in more than 140 countries.
Earth Day (celebrated on April 22 in the U.S.) is a reminder of how finite our planet and its resources are. Celebrating the planet can be as simple as getting outside and enjoying a local park, or something more actionable that gets your hands dirty. And of course, it doesn’t need to be limited to one day – we can celebrate Earth Day all month (and year) long.
Gig Harbor has several opportunities throughout the month of April to give back to our local environment.
Sustainable Solutions webinars
Pierce County Planning and Public Works will be hosting weekly webinars with tips for reducing our eco-footprint. From a bike talk to gear up for Bike Month in May, to demystifying curbside recycling and cultivating the best edible garden, there’s a free sustainability lesson for every household. Visit piercecountywa.gov/ppw for more information.
Free trees in Gig Harbor
On April 20 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., the Tacoma Tree Foundation (TTF) will be at Donkey Creek Park to offer free trees to residents.
TTF is a nonprofit organization with a community-based approach to growing urban forests. They provide free trees to residents and host planting events in neighborhoods where trees can have significant social and environmental impact.
TTF will have between 100-125 free native shrubs and trees (both deciduous and evergreens) available at Donkey Creek in a variety of mature growth heights, meeting a variety of planting sites and needs. The event is made possible with support from the Key Peninsula-Gig Harbor-Islands Watershed Grant and the Greater Gig Harbor Foundation.
Jaala Smith, Planting Coordinator at TTF, said they want to give away trees to new homes that can care for them. Volunteers will be on hand to help choose the right tree for a resident’s planting site (which is crucial, considering some can grow up to 150 feet tall and others will be less than 5 feet tall).
“We invite residents to think about their planting site,” Smith said. “Some questions you might ask yourself include: How wide is the planting site? Are there power lines and how many steps away from the planting site are they? Have you called 811 to see where your utility lines are? What are the goals for planting a tree? Noise cancellation? Privacy? Beauty? All of these will help you choose the right tree for the right place.”
Trees will be first come, first served with a limit of three to four trees per person. They’ll be available in one-to-two-gallon pots. Smith said all of the trees will fit in a small car or can be strapped to a bicycle or stashed in a stroller. Consider bringing a tarp or towel to protect your belongings from soil, mud and foliage.
Why trees? Smith explained that adopting, planting, and being near trees improves mental and physical health for both residents and their neighbors.
“Trees also help households conserve energy, provide privacy, help slow down traffic and they cultivate gathering spaces,” Smith said.
Parks Appreciation Day in Gig Harbor
The City of Gig Harbor and PenMet Parks invite residents to volunteer at a local park to help clean up trails, remove invasive vegetation, and plant native trees and shrubs. This year will be the 20th anniversary of Parks Appreciation Day, which encourages stewardship to keep local parks beautiful and connect the community.
This year, Parks Appreciation Day will take place on May 4 from 9 a.m. to noon at Grandview Forest Park, Harbor Family Park, Sehmel Homestead Park, Soundview Forest Park, Tacoma DeMolay Sandspit Nature Preserve, and Wilkinson Farm Park.
And of course, every day can be Earth Day by taking steps to contribute to a healthier planet. We can reduce our carbon emissions through alternative transportation and keeping our cars well maintained. Be conscious of water consumption by repairing leaky faucets, running full loads of laundry and dishes, and collecting rainwater to use in the garden.
And, as the EPA puts it, “feed people, not landfills.” Cut down on food waste by meal prepping prior to heading to the store and befriending the freezer for leftovers.
Together, we can make a difference.
Carly Vester has been writing an environmental column for The Peninsula Gateway since 2019. Her storytelling focuses on the intersection of people and the outdoors — from adventures across the West, to our environment and the rich history surrounding it. Her documentary films have screened internationally, and her writing has been published locally and regionally.